Valid provisional licence
You must hold a valid provisional driving licence that covers the vehicle you will learn in. Bring your photocard to your first lesson so your entitlement can be checked.
Check the official rules ↗
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From your first lesson
YOUR ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
From your first lesson
to test day.
Every learner starts at a different point. JTD lessons are calm, structured and adapted to your pace, while working through the skills the DVSA expects you to drive safely and independently.
27 DVSA driving skills5 progress levels1 plan built around you
BEFORE YOU GET BEHIND THE WHEEL
Your legal checklist
These requirements apply to learners driving on public roads in Great Britain. JTD will check your licence entitlement and eyesight before practical driving begins.
Minimum driving age
You can usually start learning to drive a car at 17. Different rules can apply at age 16 if you receive, or have applied for, a qualifying mobility benefit.
Check eligibility ↗Legal eyesight standard
You must be able to read a modern number plate in good daylight from 20 metres. If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the standard, you must wear them whenever you drive.
Read Highway Code rule 92 ↗Fit and safe to drive
Tell DVLA about any medical condition that must be reported and tell your instructor about anything that could affect a safe lesson. Never drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs, medication, illness or tiredness.
Check medical conditions ↗Insurance and a legal vehicle
For lessons in an instructor's car, the instructor provides the correctly insured and road-legal vehicle. For private practice, the learner must be properly insured and the vehicle must be taxed, roadworthy, registered and have a valid MOT where required.
Private-practice rules ↗Supervision and L plates
A learner must be properly supervised and the vehicle must display regulation L plates at the front and rear. Motorway lessons are only allowed with an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car.
L-plate requirements ↗HOW YOUR LESSONS PROGRESS
The journey from beginner to test-ready
There is no legal minimum number of lessons or practice hours. You move forward when you can demonstrate each skill safely, consistently and increasingly independently.
- 01YOUR FIRST LESSON
Licence, eyesight and a calm introduction
Your instructor checks your provisional licence and eyesight, discusses your experience and goals, then introduces the cockpit drill, safety checks and main controls. In a suitable area, you may begin moving off and stopping safely.
- 02BUILDING CONTROL
Steering, gears, observations and positioning
You build smooth control of the car while learning effective mirror use, blind-spot checks, signalling, safe road position, speed choice and planning ahead. Automatic lessons follow the same safety standards without manual gear and clutch work.
- 03REAL ROAD SKILLS
Junctions, roundabouts and crossings
Lessons progress onto busier roads as your confidence grows. You practise emerging and turning at junctions, roundabouts, meeting traffic, pedestrian crossings and responding safely to other road users.
- 04MANOEUVRES & VARIED ROADS
Parking, reversing and wider experience
You learn the reversing and parking skills assessed on test, alongside country roads, dual carriageways and different traffic or weather conditions. Motorway tuition can be introduced with an ADI in a dual-control car when appropriate.
- 05THEORY ALONGSIDE PRACTICE
Road knowledge and hazard perception
Study the Highway Code, road signs and hazard perception while taking lessons. You need a valid provisional licence to book the theory test and must pass the theory test before booking the practical driving test.
- 06INDEPENDENT DRIVING
Sat nav, signs and test-standard decisions
Prompts are gradually reduced. You practise following a sat nav or traffic signs, making safe decisions independently and reflecting on anything you could improve. Progress can be tracked against the DVSA's 27 skills and five levels.
- 07READY TO PASS
Mock tests, final preparation and test day
Realistic mock tests identify any remaining gaps. You should take the test when you drive without prompts, avoid serious or dangerous mistakes, can pass mock tests, can manage nerves and your instructor agrees you are ready.
BRING TO YOUR FIRST LESSON
Arrive ready.
- Your valid provisional photocard licence
- Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive
- Comfortable, secure footwear suitable for controlling pedals
- Any information about driving experience or needs that may affect the lesson
- A willingness to ask questions — your lesson is built around you
JTD
YOUR LESSON STANDARD
Learn safely, not just quickly.
Your instructor will agree a goal at the start of each lesson, manage risk throughout, give clear feedback and explain what to practise next. Progress is based on competence, not on rushing to a test date.
See the official DVSA Ready to Pass checklist ↗WHAT HAPPENS ON TEST DAY
Ready, calm and prepared.
The practical car test includes an eyesight check, two “show me, tell me” vehicle-safety questions, general driving, independent driving and one reversing exercise. The standard test drive lasts around 35 minutes.
Official test-day details ↗1 Bring your UK driving licence2 Your theory pass is checked3 Complete the eyesight check4 Drive safely and independently
READY TO BEGIN?
Your first lesson starts here.
Manual lessons from £35 per hour and automatic lessons from £40 per hour in Grays, Tilbury and Thurrock.