Learner Driver Guide

Learning how to drive in four steps

Learning to drive is an exciting journey, but for some it can also be intimidating. At How-2-Drive, we use a structured learning system that guides our pupils every step of the way.

To complement this approach, our free learner driver guide breaks the journey down into four manageable steps:

Steps to take before you begin taking lessons
Skills to master once you’re taking driving lessons
How to prepare for your theory and practical tests
What happens after your test? — Coming soon!

Once you’ve completed these steps you’ll be able to enjoy your new-found independence. What’s more, if you learn to drive with us we won’t just teach you to pass your test, we’ll give you the skills and experience you need to become a safe and confident driver.

Finally, whether you study with us or not, you can also take advantage of our free learner driver downloads to help you get the most out of your driving lessons.

Driving pupil going through her learner driver guide with her instructor.

Stage 1: Before you take lessons

Get your provisional driving licence

You’ll need to get your provisional driving licence before you can get behind the wheel. We won’t be able to offer you driving lessons until you have it, so make sure you apply as soon as you can.

How to Get Your Licence

UK provisional driving licence photo card. You'll need this before you can being learning to drive.

Stage 2: Taking lessons

Some driving pupils find it easier to learn driving skills by watching an expert perform manoeuvres first. Many others find it useful to be able to refer back to a video tutorial in-between lessons so that they can rehearse the manoeuvre or routine in their heads before getting back behind the wheel.

Whether you’re studying for your driving test with us or not, we’ve made our library of driving tuition videos freely available to everybody.

Level 1: Beginner's basic driving skills

Success starts with a solid foundation. When learning how to drive start with these fundamental beginner’s driving skills. You will need to master these routines before you learn anything else. Your journey to becoming a safe and confident driver begins here!

Learn Basic Driving Skills

A close up shot of a gear stick control knob - something you'll familiarise yourself with as part of the cockpit drill.

Level 2: Intermediate driving skills - the rules of the road

Once you have secured your basic driving skills you’ll then be able to move on to intermediate routines. These tutorials focus on the rules of the road and are based upon UK driving legislation.

The main focus at this stage is teaching you how to navigate roundabouts and junctions safely, using well-rehearsed routines.

Learn Intermediate Driving Routines

A typical car dashboard. This is where you'll be practicing your cockpit drill!

Level 3: Practical driving test manoeuvres

Our final set of driving lesson tutorials are designed to help you learn core practical driving manoeuvres. These routines are featured in the practical driving test. Master these manoeuvres and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a safe driver for life!

Practice Practical Driving Manoeuvres

A car door mirror showing lanes of traffic behind. Learning to use your mirrors safely is part of the MSPSL routine.

Stage 3: Preparing for your test

Step 1: Driving theory test

Even if your instructor agrees that you’re ready, you can’t apply for your practical driving test until you’ve passed your theory test. Be sure to book your theory test in plenty of time! Read our guide now so you know what to do next and what to expect.

Prepare For Your Theory Test

A blackboard with 'test' written on it, symbolising the driving theory test.

Step 2: Show and tell

The Show and Tell component of the practical driving test is all about showing that you understand the basics of how to care for your car. Your examiner will be looking to see that you know how to carry out routine maintenance and perform vital safety checks.

Read our guide to find out more about what you need to understand.

Prepare For Show and Tell

You might be asked how to check the engine oil level as part of the show and tell component of your practical test.

Step 3: Practical driving test

Once you’ve passed your theory test and your instructor agrees that you’re ready, you’ll be able to book your practical driving test. All you’ll need to do then is make sure you’re prepared for the big day! We’ve put together some resources to help you get ready.

Prepare For Your Practical Test

Man performing a driving test manoeuvre in his car.

Resources for learning to drive

Free Driving Lesson Downloads

Download our free driving lesson resources to help you get the most out of each of your lessons. We’ve made our resources free to everybody. You don’t even have to be learning with us to get them!

Get Your Free Downloads

A woman demonstrating safe, independent driving having passed her test.

Great Friends Love to Share!

If you find our free driving resources useful, please share them with your friends!

We’re Here to Help!

We’re always trying to improve our learner driver guide. Is there anything else you’d like to learn about?

Start learning to drive today!

Looking to get started with driving lessons? Fed up with your current instructor?

Get your first lesson half-price and take us out for a spin!

Book Your First Lesson

Can’t wait to hit the road? Call 01603 957 097 to chat with us today!

* According to the DVSA (the people who set the driving test) it takes on average 47 hours of driving lessons and another 20 hours of private practice to pass the driving test.

By using our structured training system we help our customers pass after an average of just 30 hours of driving lessons — that’s 17 hours less than the DVSA average!