In theory you could get it on your 17th bday

It all comes down to several things.
Speed you can pick up and remember the requirements.
Confidence
Luck

There is no minimum time limit. Its all about when your ready.
I would book your theory now though, as I believe most places unless you do intensive course, have at least 6 weeks of waiting. Then its a couple of months unless you get a cancelation slot for your practical.

I was training to be an instructor.

You could, in theory, as Craig said do everything on your 17th birthday. You can drive on private property at any age but can't drive on the road until you have a provisional licence and then only accompanied by someone who meets the criteria to supervise you.
The problem is getting test dates both for the theory and pracitcal tests.

I would suggest that you get started learning the theory and apply for the test as soon as you are allowed to. As for the practical, if you can start to learn on pivate property then do so, even if it is just to get the basics of starting, stopping and changing gear and direction. I would also take Hagar's reccomendation of doing an intensive course but  with one of the more established driving schools rather than a local one man operation. This applies even if you can get plenty of practice in someone else's car between lessons.
The benefits of an intensive course is that you won't develop bad habits between lessons and then spend half a lesson getting rid of something that you have developed in the last week between the lessons. Take a trial lesson with one of the big established schools (BSM, AA, LDC) they will give you an honest appraisal of how many lessons you should need before your test. If you go with one of them they will plan your training so that you will be ready at the time of your test, and may offer cut price top ups if you fail.
I would also suggest that after you pass you do the Pass Plus course to give you more varied experience and a motorway lesson.

Quote:

You must be 17 before driving a car on public roads in the UK.

Hagar wrote on Oct 14^th, 2009 at 12:21pm:


Not strictly true...... If you are registered disabled you can get a full licence at the age of 16.

And lets hope I don't ever become disabled either.

Where else would class as private property, suitable to drive on legally below 17? I don't think there are any test tracks near to me

eno wrote on Oct 14^th, 2009 at 4:06am:


I'll second that, purely from personal experience.

The very first time I drove on a motorway, the day after passing my test, I exited on the sliproad and nearly rear ended a car at the roundabout at the end... I had no concept of how fast 70mph was. I'm sure the fact it was an uphill sliproad was the only reason it didn't end in tears.