Vanessa Hudgens takes her driving theory test

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens took her first step to becoming a qualified driver by taking her driving theory test.

The 18-year-old star arrived at the Glendale Department of Motor Vehicles in L.A. to take a vision exam and a traffic laws and sign test. Hudgens arrived at the Californian DMV on Thursday (29 Nov) with her mum, Gina, who drove her daughter there in a gold Toyota.

After an hour inside the DMV, the young actress was escorted back to her mum's car by a Californian Highway Patrol Officer.

Hudgens then headed for North Hollywood for a spot of retail therapy, shopping at department stores Macy's and Bloomingdales.

The star, who plays Gabriella in the hit Disney movies, recently told a US paper her wish list for Christmas.

She told USA Today: "My driver's license is on my wish list. I plan on taking my test really soon."

Vanessa Hudgens made her screen debut in 2003 and appeared in Thirteen and Thunderbirds, before reaching fame in 2006 with High School Musical.

Hudgens is getting ready to film High School Musical 3, alongside fellow stars, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale.

Filming is believed to start in January 2008.