Driving Licence Applications

How to apply for a UK provisional driving licence

Before you can start driving on the road you’ll need a provisional licence, which currently costs £34 if you apply online or £43 if you apply by post. You will need to meet the minimum driving age, eyesight rules, and also have the correct driving licence.

Applying for a provisional driving licence online

The simplest way to get a provisional licence is online.  You will need a valid debit or credit card to pay the fee and proof of your identity (such as your biometric passport). If you don’t have a biometric passport, you will be required to send in an original form of ID by post – photocopies will not be accepted. You will also need your address history for the last 3 years and if possible your national insurance number.

Applying for a provisional driving licence by post

To apply for your provisional driving licence by post you will need a D1 form, which you can pick up from most Post Office branches, or you can get one from the DVLA form ordering service.  You will need to complete the D1 form and enclose a cheque or postal order, payable to the DVLA for £43 along with an original form of acceptable ID (see here for what can be accepted) and a passport sized photograph.

• Use can use form D1 to obtain:
• Provisional Licence (Learner drivers)
• Full Licence
• Duplicate Licence
• New licence after losing it for health reasons
• New Licence after being disqualified
• Renew your Licence
• Remove out of date endorsements or suspension details
• Exchange your Licence

How old do I need to be to apply for a provisional driving licence?

You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you are 15 years and nine months old. However, you can only start driving a car when you are 17 unless you receive the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of the Personal Insurance Payment (PIP), in which case you can start driving a car at 16. At 16 you can also start riding a moped or a quad bike.

Do I need to have my eyesight tested before I drive?

It will be necessary to have your eyesight checked before you learn to drive. Your driving instructor will do this at the beginning of your 1^st lesson, they will ask you to read a car number plate from 20 metres away. If you fail, you will not be allowed to drive. We recommend s you see an optician beforehand just in case and, if necessary, buy contact lenses or glasses to make sure you meet the required standard.

EU, EEA and other foreign nationals applying for a UK Provisional Licence

If you’re from the EU, EEA or you are another foreign national, you will need to be resident in the UK to apply, and you’ll need to provide the required documentation to do so. Find out more here.

Medical conditions when applying for a UK driving licence

Health and Medical conditions information: https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us and we will help with any questions you may have.

Watch out for scam websites

Unfortunately, there are several third-party websites that offer to complete your licence application for you. These websites will add a charge on top of the cost of the licence, in some cases several times the value of the licence itself for the privilege.

Applying for a provisional driving licence is not very difficult. So watch out for these scam sites and make sure you only use the official DVLA website.

(Be warned: these sites also offer many other, mostly unnecessary, services, such as vehicle tax. Don’t be fooled into giving them your money.)