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Lessons FAQ

When can I apply for my provisional driving licence?

You can apply for your provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old. You can apply for it here.

How old do I have to be before I can start learning to drive?
You have to be 17 and hold your provisional driving licence before you can start driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor on public roads. However, if you are receiving disability living allowance or PIP you can start learning at 16.
How long will it take me to learn to drive?
We’re all different! So we all learn at different rates. The Driving Genie has good qualified driving instructors who will get you through as quickly as they’re able. The important thing is that you are safe and confident when you get to your driving test and thereafter.
How will I know if I’m ready to pass my driving test?
Your driving instructor will help you with this. There is no specific amount of driving lessons. At The Driving Genie we provide a progress log through our app. This will show you where you are on your learning to drive journey.
Do I have to pass my theory before taking driving lessons?
No you don’t. However, The Driving Genie recommends that you pass your theory test as soon as possible to ensure you aren’t held back on booking your practical driving test when you’re ready.
Can I take my driving test in my own car?

Yes you can if you would prefer this option. But please check here to ensure the legal requirements are met before doing so.

Can I take driving lessons with a family member/friend?

Yes you can. The Driving Genie recommends taking driving lessons with someone that you know in-between your driving lessons with your driving instructor. This will hopefully build your confidence more quickly. Please make sure that you’re driving on ability appropriate roads though and check the legal requirements needed to take a learner driver out on public roads here.

Should I learn to drive a manual car or automatic?

This of course is totally your choice! If you think you might struggle with the gears then automatic driving lessons might be easier for you. But you don’t know until you try! Remember if you pass your driving test in an automatic car, then you are only allowed to drive cars with automatic transmission. If you pass your driving test in a manual car, then you can drive either. The Driving Genie offer both manual and automatic driving lessons. You can always start your driving lessons in one type of transmission and change if you wished to try the other. Subject to availability.

What should I bring to my first lesson?
You will need to bring your provisional driving licence and any glasses or contact lenses worn. If it’s a sunny day, sunglasses are a good idea too as the sun can cause glare on the road, which can hinder your visibility.
How many driving lessons should I take a week?
This again is your choice and also down to the driving instructor or driving school that you choose to have driving lessons with. However, at The Driving Genie we recommend taking at least 1 x 2 hour driving lesson per week. Some driving Instructors will give shorter lessons, but we believe that you will learn quicker with 2 hours. When you are early on in your learning to drive journey, you will first need to be taken to a suitable area to learn the basic driving skills. This will of course need to be explained to you and then you will need time to practice it. If you only had an hour for instance, you wouldn’t get very much practical learning and will have forgotten what you’d learned by the following week. Then it would have to be re-taught. The more you practice, the easier your brain will find it to remember. When you are more competent in your driving lessons, you will want to practice on different types of roads, therefore you will need the time to be able to get there and explore!
Can a learner driver drive on motorways?
You can have driving lessons on a motorway, but ONLY with a DVSA approved driving Instructor. So you can’t go with a friend or family member if you are having lessons with them. We offer extended driving lessons for this purpose and might even take a drive by the sea! If you wanted to wait to pass your driving test first, you can always have your motorway driving lesson with us post test.