Verstappen now 'too busy' to take driving test

The Dutchman turns 18 on September 30, and is eager to get over the hurdle of earning his road car licence.

But in the midst of the end of season flyaways, Verstappen says finding time to book some lessons and take a test will have to wait.

"I didn't have the time yet – I still need to find a date to do it," said Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix. "Especially now there are a lot of overseas races, so it will be a bit difficult."

However, he says he is eager to get on with it at soon as possible, so people stop asking him about it.

"For me it is good because once you are 18, people see it as a big step – and then you have your driving licence and people stop talking about it," he explained.

The right instructor

Verstappen says that Belgian driving laws means he must take some lessons before his test, and he thinks it may be best to find an instructor who recognises him.

"I still need to do the lessons, but I only need to do four or six," he said. "I still need to find an instructor, and I hope he recognises me, because otherwise it might be a bit more difficult.

"I can ask: 'Do you want to go to the Belgian GP next year?' So maybe that helps!"

Pass marks

Verstappen has already passed the theory test, but says that it was not with a perfect 100 per cent score.

"I got that before the season started in February – with only three mistakes," he said. "I only studied for one night and went up the next day.

"My mum told me that I could take the theory test already, so I did that the following morning and then went to the gym to prepare."

He also knows that there is no guarantee he will pass the test, which would likely lead to some ribbing from his dad.

"I hope, you never know," he said. "If you go too fast or if you don't use the indicators and just turn in…"