How to Get Your UK Driving Licence: Resources for Care Workers
This post is brought to you by Bolanle Oyelami, a Tresacare Care Worker Ambassador, who regularly hosts trainings on how to pass the test to gain a driving licence in the UK as part of the programme we run at SESCA.
One thing I have learned through my own journey as a care worker is how important it is to have the right information and support. For many care workers, especially those working in domiciliary care, being able to drive can open up more employment opportunities and give you greater independence. But preparing for the UK driving test can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the roads, the Highway Code and the testing process.
I have been putting together some resources that I hope will make the journey a little easier.
My recommendation is to combine online study with practical lessons from an approved driving instructor. Watching videos and practising theory questions can help you understand what to expect, but there is no substitute for getting into a car and practising with a qualified instructor.
Start with the theory
The official DVSA resources are the best place to begin. They provide practice questions, hazard perception preparation and mock tests. I recommend using them alongside the Highway Code:
A simple daily routine could be 30–45 minutes:
15 minutes: Highway Code
15 minutes: Theory questions
10–15 minutes: Hazard perception
Consistency is more important than trying to learn everything in one day.
Preparing for the practical test
For practical driving, I would recommend finding an ADI-approved driving instructor and combining your lessons with practical-driving videos.
Videos can be useful for understanding things like roundabouts, junctions, parking, meeting traffic, signalling and mirror checks. But I wouldn't rely on videos alone. The most useful approach is to watch one topic and then practise that same skill with your instructor. For example:
Week 1: Roundabouts
Watch a lesson → practise roundabouts with your instructor.
Week 2: Junctions
Watch a lesson → practise junctions with your instructor.
Week 3: Parking and manoeuvres
Watch a lesson → practise parking with your instructor.
Week 4: Meeting traffic and mirror checks
Watch the videos → practise these skills with your instructor.
This approach helps connect what you are watching on screen with what you are actually doing behind the wheel.
Don't be afraid to take it one step at a time
Learning to drive can be frustrating. There may be days when you feel like you are not improving, or when something that seemed easy suddenly feels difficult.
Keep going. You don't need to know everything at once. Learn one skill, practise it, and then move on to the next. And remember why you're doing it. For many care workers, getting a driving licence isn't just about passing a test. It can mean more job opportunities, greater independence and more choices about your future.
A resource I've put together for our community
I have spent time collecting these resources because I know how difficult it can be to navigate everything on your own. I have personally built this package over time, and I am sharing it with the Tresacare community because I genuinely want it to be useful.
They have been put together with a lot of time, care and commitment, with the hope that they will help other care workers move one step closer to achieving their goals.
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