What age can you drive in the UK?
Get to know the legal driving age in the UK for cars, motorcycles and HGVs
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Learning to drive is one of the biggest steps towards independent life for teenagers – many of which can’t wait to get behind the wheel.
We all know the legal driving age is 17, but is that always the case? And is it different for cars, motorcycles, and lorries?
You can find out all this, and more, in our guide below.
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Legal driving age for cars
It’s safe to say that most of us know the legal driving age in the UK is 17 years old and this is when you can start learning to drive.
Before that though, you do need to apply for a provisional licence, which you can do as soon as you’re 15 years and nine months old – very specific.
But did you know that you can legally drive from 16 if you get (or have applied for) enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independance Payment (PIP)?
And you can also get permission to drive from 16 if you receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Age isn’t the only factor to consider when applying for a provisional driving licence though. You can read about other things to consider in our guide on applying for a provisional licence.
Driving age for mopeds
You need to be 16 years old and have a provisional licence to legally drive a moped in the UK. This is when you can take your compulsory basic training (CBT).
A CBT certificate lets you ride mopeds (and motorcycles up to 125cc and 11kW if you’re 17) with ‘L’ plates on for up to two years.
Before your two years is up, you need to pass your full motorcycle licence theory test and practical. Otherwise, you need to take your CBT again or stop riding.
You can’t pass or fail your CBT, it just teaches you how to drive safely on the roads so you can legally ride a moped of over 50cc. You don’t need to have this certificate if you want to ride a moped that’s under 50cc.
Driving age for motorcycles
You can legally ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kW from the age of 17, after taking your CBT and passing a theory test and a practical test.
You’ll then be able to progress to a standard motorcycle up to 500cc and 35kW from the age of 19. At this point, you’ll have to take different theory and practical tests.
If you already have two years experience on a motorcycle up to 125cc/11kW, you can just take a further practical test.
And, finally, you can drive any motorcycle (without a sidecar) when you’re 21 if you’ve held an A2 licence for at least two years. If not, you can take a CBT, theory test, and practical test at age 24.
Driving age for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
To drive an HGV, such as a lorry or any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, you need to be 18 and have a full driving licence.
You’ll also need to complete an extra driving qualification called the Driver Certificate or Professional Competence (CPC).
There are five tests in the CPC, and you’ll need to apply for a provisional HGV or bus licence to be able to take them.
After that, you’ll need to take 35 hours of training every five years to stay qualified.
You can read our driving licence codes and categories guide to understand more about each type of licence.
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Rules for driving abroad
Driving ages can differ depending on the country you’re in. Although you can drive a car from the age of 17 in the UK, this might be different if you’re visiting another country.
Your best bet is to check the legal requirements before hopping behind the wheel abroad.
For example, you can drive from the age of 15 in France (with supervision) but tourists need to be 18 to drive there.
Penalties for underage driving
Driving without a licence in the UK is a serious offence and can lead to penalty points, fines, and a driving ban.
If you’re driving underage and without a licence, this also means you’re driving without insurance – another driving offence.
Typically, it’s up to the UK courts to decide on punishment for these offences. This could include a fine or even a driving ban.
FAQs
Is the UK legal driving age going to change?
There are no official plans (as of October 2024) to change the legal driving age in the UK. There have been rumours of the age increasing and some petitions to have the age lowered, but nothing official.
Can you drive alone at 16 in the UK?
You can’t drive alone on UK roads unless you have PIP or DLA exceptions like we mentioned above.
Can you start driving lessons at 16?
You need to wait until you’re 17 (unless you have an exemption) and have your provisional licence to start driving lessons.
You can legally drive on your own private land in the UK from any age.
Can you own a car at 16?
There are no legal UK age limits for owning a car, so you can own your own car at 16 years old. You’ll just need to wait until you turn 17 to start driving it.
You can drive your own car with ‘L’ plates when you’re 17 if you’re with an instructor or someone over 21 who’s had their licence for three years, and you have proper insurance.
Conclusion
So, you’ll need to wait until your 17th birthday until you can legally take a car driving test and drive on UK roads.
If you can’t wait that long, you might consider a moped or some safe practise on your private land.
You can also start getting prepared by applying for your provisional licence once you turn 15 years old and nine months.
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