Driving in the U.K.

Congratulations on passing your PLABs and getting a job in the UK!

One of the most important steps to becoming self-sufficient is to get a driving license and start driving in this country. 

Advantages of driving a car over public transportation

1. Cheaper in the long term
2. Convenient 
3. Bypass the problem of poor connectivity ( some areas in the U.K. are not well connected and hence, there can be an increase in waiting times to find a public transport means)
4. Saves time (trains and buses can have unusual timings and you might have to wait for the next one to be available )
5. Increases confidence overall
6. Required in some of the training post applications 
7. You get to explore more of this beautiful country 
   
   
   

Steps towards driving your own car

1. Apply for a provisional license 

Cost — £34 for car

You’ll need to provide:

• an identity document unless you have a valid UK biometric passport
• addresses where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
• your National Insurance number if you know it

Your license should usually arrive within one week if you apply online.

Find more guidance here- https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence?step-by-step-nav=e01e924b-9c7c-4c71-8241-66a575c2f61f

2. Pass your driving theory test 

Cost : A car theory test costs £23.

The theory test consists of :

• 50 MCQs (43/50 score needed to pass in 57 minutes)
• Hazard Perception Test ( consists of 14 video clips each about one minute long, which feature every day road scenes. In each clip there will be at least one developing hazard, but one of the clips will feature two developing hazards.) (44/75 score is needed to pass)

You need to pass both parts of the test to pass overall.

My Experience: I strongly recommend buying the DVLA 4-in-1 app.

Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.focusmm.DTSCombo&hl=en_GB

iOS users : https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/driving-theory-test-4-in-1-kit/id829581836

Activate the pass guarantee on the app and start practicing everything available.

I studied for around 2 weeks' time and passed with a high score ( MCQ: 48/50, HPT: 60/75). 

Tips: Please don’t start reading the Highway Code word to word . Use it as a reference and focus on solving more and more questions with repetition. 

3. Pass your practical driving test and get your full license to drive

Cost : £62 for booking the test for cars

Take driving lessons from driving school instructors or free-lance driving instructors.

Each lesson can cost £22–35/ hour ( lower if you pay together for 10 or 12 lessons ).

You can take any number of lessons till you feel confident enough to drive on your own.

You can choose between an automatic / manual car test and take lessons accordingly . If you pass an automatic car driving test then you can only drive an automatic one. If you pass your test on a manual car, you can on drive both of the transmissions.

My Experience: I am currently taking my driving lessons and plan to appear for my test soon.