I’ll always remember the day I heard my examiner say the word ‘pass’ after my driving exam. For me, being able to drive represents adulthood and freedom. As a medical student, having a car allows me to easily travel for placements without relying on public transport. Here are my handy tips for applying for a driving licence plus some advice for passing the tests!

Application process

Important: depending on your residency and whether you hold a foreign licence, you may or may not have to go through this process. It’s a good idea to visit nidirect.com for up-to-date information.

Applying for a provisional licence

Before learning to drive, you must apply for a provisional driving licence. This can be done online (faster) or by completing the DL1 application form, which can be obtained by visiting your local Post Office.

Note: applying for a provisional licence comes at a cost of £62.50

Driving theory test

Once receiving my provisional licence, I chose to prepare for my driving theory test. If you are a learner driver, you must pass this test before booking your practical test.

To prepare for my driving theory test, I bought the Theory Test 4 in 1 app from the AppStore. This app was incredible. It has a great range of questions, and I found the questions were quite similar to those that came up in my actual test.

I also practised using the theory test mock exams available on the Government’s website.

Note: to take a driving theory test in Northern Ireland, the fee is £23

Driving practical test

Congratulations! You’ve now passed your theory test and you’re onto the final hurdle: driving.

Tips before starting lessons

• To find a driving instructor, ask around in group chats, or check Facebook. Some driving instructors are happy to teach you in your own car, others will insist on using their own car for insurance purposes.
• It’s also a good idea to consider whether you wish to learn in an automatic or manual car. Personally, I wanted to learn in an automatic car as I wanted to take as few lessons as possible, but it’s personal preference.
• Additionally, it’s worth asking whether your driving instructor offers any special packages as some instructors will give discounts when you pay for a block of lessons e.g. 10 lessons, in one payment.

To help with my driving practical test, I watched videos on YouTube created by driving instructors to educate learners on common mistakes made in the exam. 

The most important thing to remember when it comes to preparing for the practical test is to be confident. Try to avoid negative thoughts, this can be hard but remember, practice makes perfect!

Moreover, try to avoid gaps in your lessons. Having consistent weekly lessons will help you improve faster, meaning you’ll be able to book your test faster!

When considering a test date and time, take note of the following:

• Prices differ on weekdays and evenings/weekends. It’s cheaper to do a weekday test.
• Consider the test route. If the area is busy, avoiding booking your test at peak times can help with road traffic.

Note: the weekday price at the time of writing for a car practical test is £65

Remember to enjoy the journey!

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Study Medicine at Queen's

Radhika Gupta Medicine | Undergraduate Student | Derry, Northern Ireland Hi! My name is Radhika, I’m 19 years old and originally from Derry. I’m currently a third-year medical student and so far, I’ve been loving my course and time in Belfast! I like to spend weekends exploring the city with my friends and trying to find good places to eat/drink. My hobbies include photography, reading and yoga! This year I’m trying to become more involved in university activities, so you may see me around campus as I’m a student ambassador, plus I also love spending time in the Students' Union with my friends in the evenings! I’m a member of various medical societies like SWOT and WOMED, and also recreational societies like Chess and Arts!