How long does it take to learn to drive? The Bitesize guide to getting on the road - BBC Bitesize (2024)

According to the DVSA or Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, it takes most people 45 hours of lessons to learn how to drive, plus 22 hours of practising before they pass their practical test.

That being said, there isn’t a set number of lessons or amount of practice you have to complete before you can take a driving test - some learners will require more, some much less. The most important part of the process is that you feel confident behind the wheel. That way you are more likely to pass your test and go on to be a safer driver when you do get out on the open road.

From April 2022 to March 2023, 1,689,000 practical driving tests were completed with a pass rate of 48.4%. Of the 817,000 people who passed, 391,000 passed on their first attempt. So, if you don’t pass your driving test on the first attempt, don’t panic - there will be lots of people in the same situation.

In fact, in 2013 the government reported on a very determined man who took 37 attempts to pass his practical test - if at first you don’t succeed, try (× 37) again.

Before you can take your practical test, you will need to pass your theory test. This is broken down into two sections: a multiple-choice quiz and a hazard perception test. To pass, you'll need to get 43 out of the 50 multiple choice questions correct and 44 out of 75 points in the hazard perception test.

The theory test is designed to assess your knowledge of driving laws as well as your ability to assess hazards and make safe driving decisions.

As with any exam, the more you revise and practise the more likely you are to pass. Some driving schools recommend 10-20 hours of revision before you take your test. Much like the practical test, some people will be ready for their theory test after much less revision, while others will require more.

The texts you will need to study for the theory test are:

• The Highway Code
• Know Your Traffic Signs
• Driving - The Essential Skills

The Highway Code and Know Your Traffic Signs are available as free resources on the UK Government website.

From April 2022 to March 2023, 2,431,000 theory tests were completed with a pass rate of 44.2%. So, once again, if you don’t pass the first time, don’t worry! You will be in the majority of people taking the test.

Back to that 2013 government report: one woman had a remarkable 107 failed attempts at her theory test. At the current rate of £23 per theory test, that’s £2461 on tests alone - you could literally buy a car for that!

An automatic car changes the gears for you, so you don’t have to worry about the clutch or gear stick. For nervous drivers, the fact that you don’t need to change gear depending on speed and traffic conditions makes automatics seem more appealing. Also, as there is no clutch, you don’t need to learn clutch control, which some people can struggle with when starting out.

Another plus point is that for drivers with physical disabilities and certain medical conditions, automatic cars offer a more accessible pathway to getting out on the road.

However, despite automatic cars being easier to drive, the DVSA reports a lower pass rate for automatic tests compared to manual. For 2021-2022, the pass rate for automatic tests was 41.7%. Compare this to the average pass rate in 2021-2022, which was 48.9%, and you can see that statistically, it’s more difficult to pass your test in an automatic.

Not only that, most driving schools recommend the same amount of lessons and practice regardless of if you are learning automatic or manual.

Another factor to consider is that if you pass your test in an automatic car, you will only have an automatic licence. This means that you won't legally be able to drive a manual car without completing an additional manual test. However, if you pass a manual driving test, you can legally drive an automatic car if you choose to do so.

In addition to this, automatic cars are typically more expensive to purchase and insure than manual, and can have higher maintenance costs due to the comparative complexity of their gearboxes.

Despite these issues, 62.4% of new cars sold in 2021 were automatics, and with the growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles (which typically require automatic gearboxes) it looks like that figure is only going to increase.

So, if you’re keen to get on the road but don’t want to learn in a manual, just be aware that statistically it isn’t actually any quicker or easier to pass your test in an automatic.

BBC Bitesize has got you covered if you want to know more about automotive matters. Once you're driving, learn how to maintain your vehicle by performing a leak-off test on a car engine. Or for any motorcyclists, discover how to work out your fuel consumption.

Bitesize Careers has a range of relevant job profiles including how to become an apprentice mechanic and how to become a motorbike mechanic.