Guidance reviewed: 25 September 2026.
Professional lessons should help you become a safe and independent driver as well as prepare for the theory and practical tests. There is no official minimum number of lessons or practice hours: the amount needed depends on your experience and progress.
Starting lessons
Anyone you pay to teach you must be a qualified approved driving instructor or a licensed trainee. Check the green or pink badge displayed in the windscreen and agree the lesson length, price, meeting point, cancellation terms and how progress will be recorded.
Early lessons normally introduce the controls, moving off and stopping, steering and observation. As your skills develop, training can include junctions, roundabouts, crossings, parking and reversing, meeting and overtaking traffic, rural roads, dual carriageways, different conditions and independent route following. The order and pace should reflect your needs and local roads.
Lessons, private practice and motorways
Your instructor can advise when you are ready to add private practice with a suitable family member or friend. Keep the instructor informed so that private practice supports the lesson plan. Learners may drive on motorways in England, Scotland or Wales only with an approved driving instructor in a dual-control car.
Study the Highway Code and theory-test material alongside practical lessons. Book the practical test when you and your instructor agree that you can drive safely and independently, including on unfamiliar roads and without prompts.
Ask local instructors about learner lessons or find an instructor by town.