Driving

Getting hold of a set of wheels can be a defining moment in your life. You're free, you're independent, you're happy go lucky; but getting a car or a motorbike can land you in a whole heap of trouble if you're not aware of what you need to do to stay legal. So read on...

Learning To Drive a car

Before you drive a motor vehicle you must have a provisional licence for that class of motor vehicle. The vehicle must be insured for you (shop around for the best deal). Your car must be taxed, and if it is more than three years old it must be MOT tested. To apply for a licence, tax your vehicle or apply for driving tests, get the forms from any main Post Office.

The driving test is in two parts, a written theory and a practical test. The theory paper, which must be passed before the practical test, is made up of 35 multiple choice questions and lasts about 40 minutes.

As a learner driver, you must always have someone with you in the front passenger seat of the car who is over 21 and has held a full driving licence for at least three years.

Driving Lessons

Lessons are expensive but it is best to have some from a registered driving school. Costs may vary. Ask about costs and schools from friends. If you can't afford a full course take some lessons when you first begin to drive to learn good driving habits. Practise with licence holding friends or relatives to supervise you, then have some lessons just before your test. Having a driving licence may be a bonus when applying for a job so, although expensive, it is a good investment.

Ages at which you can drive:

14 years: Electrically assisted pedal cycle.

16 years: Mopeds; Cars - this applies to people receiving disability living allowance at the higher level; Small agricultural tractors; Small mowing machines or any other small pedestrian controlled vehicle.

17 years: Motorbikes up to 125cc power; Cars; Large agricultural tractors; Small road rollers.

18 years: In England, Wales and Scotland, vans and lorries if you are a member of the young driver's scheme.

21 years: Large road-roller; All other vehicles.

Motor Insurance

It is an offence to drive a motor vehicle on the road without insurance. The penalties for this are very heavy, and it makes no difference for you to say it was a genuine mistake and that you thought you were insured. Failure to have insurance means a fine and penalty points on your licence, and maybe disqualification. It is also an offence for you to allow your car or motorbike to be used by a person who is not insured to drive it. There are three different kinds of motor insurance, offering different levels of cover:

• third party insurance only pays for damage caused to other people or their property. This is the minimum level of insurance cover required by law;
• third party fire and theft gives you further protection by covering you against theft or fire damage to your own vehicle;
• fully comprehensive insurance is usually the most expensive, but covers the cost of accident repair damage to your own vehicle as well as compensating others for injuries or damage in the accident.

When you apply for any insurance, make sure the information you give is accurate. If it's not, your insurance will be invalid.

Learning to drive a motorcycle

Motorcyclists also have to take both a written theory and practical test to gain a full licence unless they already have a full car licence, when only the practical test must be taken. Before you can ride a motorcycle on the road you must have successfully completed a Compulsory Basic Training course, and will be limited to a motor-cycle of no more than 125cc. After passing the practical test, you are restricted to a bike with a power output of up to 25kw or 33 bhp for 2 years, after which you may ride any size of bike.