General Training Writing Task 1 · informal · advice

Letter to a friend giving driving advice: IELTS informal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 informal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 222 words
  • Informal letters
  • Advice
  • 20 minutes

The task

Your friend is thinking about learning to drive and would like some advice.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

  • →say why a driving license is advantageous
  • →recommend a driving school
  • →give any extra guidance/tips

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8222 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Sarah,

It is fantastic to hear that you are finally thinking about getting your driver’s licence! I remember being in your position, and I am more than happy to share some thoughts to help you get started.

Having a licence is a total game-changer. It offers so much freedom, especially when you want to plan weekend trips or simply avoid the hassle of unreliable public transport. Plus, it is a vital life skill that opens up many more job opportunities, particularly if you ever need to commute to places outside the city centre.

I highly recommend checking out 'Citywide Driving Academy'. That is where I trained, and their instructors are incredibly patient and thorough. They offer intensive courses, which might suit your schedule, and they have a great reputation for helping nervous learners pass their practical test on the first attempt.

My biggest piece of advice is to start studying the theory test handbook immediately. Do not underestimate how much there is to memorise! Also, try to get as much practice behind the wheel as possible outside of your lessons. If you feel comfortable, ask a family member to supervise you in a quiet area; the more time you spend in the driver’s seat, the more confident you will become.

Let me know if you need anything else!

Best wishes,

Mark

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Write a letter, get a band free →

Examiner's view

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response fully addresses all bullet points with a natural, consistent tone and well-developed ideas. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a specific recommendation or providing vague advice that lacks personal context.

  • →Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.
  • →Contractions, phrasal verbs and a warm opening line are expected; a stiff formal tone loses marks here.
  • →Still cover every bullet in its own paragraph; friendly does not mean unstructured.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • game-changer

    something that significantly alters the current situation

  • hassle

    a situation that causes trouble or annoyance

  • intensive

    concentrated effort applied over a short time

  • thorough

    paying careful attention to every small detail

  • underestimate

    to think something is less difficult than it is

  • supervise

    to watch and direct someone doing a task

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Informal. Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

A Band 8 response fully addresses all bullet points with a natural, consistent tone and well-developed ideas. A common Band 6 mistake is failing to provide a specific recommendation or providing vague advice that lacks personal context.

Keep practising

More advice letters

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Write a letter, get a band free