Applying for your provisional driving licence: the ultimate guide
Find out all you need to know about applying for a provisional licence and how much they cost
)
Applying for a provisional licence is one of the first steps you’ll make on your driving journey.
Before you take your theory test or begin driving lessons, you’ll need a valid provisional licence.
It’s easy and not too pricey, and it’s also a handy form of ID even if you’re not planning to learn to drive.
)
When can you get a provisional licence in the UK?
To apply for a provisional licence in the UK, you’ll need to meet a few requirements.
What age can you get a provisional licence?
You can actually apply to get a provisional licence in the UK if you’re at least 15 years and nine months old. It’ll then become ‘valid’ when you turn 16.
When you turn 17, you can then use your provisional licence to start taking driving lessons, take your driving test, and get insured as a learner driver on your own car.
Residency requirements
The DVLA says that you need to be a UK resident or have lived in the UK for six months.
Health and vision standards
You’ll need to be ‘fit and safe’ to drive a car to get a provisional licence.
The DVLA says this includes being able to read a number plate from 20 metres away. You need to notify the DVLA of any medical conditions that could impact your road safety.
This can include conditions such as epilepsy or heart conditions.
)
What do you need for a provisional licence?
If you’re ready to apply for your provisional licence, there are a few things you’ll need.
Proof of identity
One of the easiest ways to prove your identity to apply for a provisional licence is by using your nine-digit passport number.
Just make sure your passport isn’t expired and add the number on the application form.
If you don’t have a passport, you could also use:
A current and valid Irish passport
A passport from a non-EU or EEA country with a visa sticker or stamp
A travel document
A UK birth, adoption or naturalisation certificate
Evidence you receive a state pension
A UK biometric residence permit
If you’ve used the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ or ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ before, you can also use your identity share code to apply for a visa or the EU Settlement Scheme. This visa will then let you apply for a provisional licence.
Proof of address
If you’re using your passport for your provisional licence application, this can be proof of address.
You’ll also need to confirm your address history from the past three years.
If you’re not using a form of ID with your address shown, or are asked to show further proof of address, you can use documents such as:
A utility bill
Bank account or credit card statement
A doctor or hospital appointment letter
Passport photos
You need to get your photo and provisional licence application form signed by someone else if you haven’t used a passport to prove your identity.
If you’re using another form of ID, you can get your application and photo signed by someone that’s not a relative, has a valid GB photo licence, is a UK resident, knows you personally, and does not live at the same address.
This person can be:
A local councillor
A professionally qualified person, such as a teacher or lawyer
A local businessperson
A Civil Servant
How to apply for a provisional licence
Applying for a provisional licence in the UK is an easy and quick process – especially if you fill out the application online.
Online provisional application
To apply for your provisional licence online, you’ll need to:
Make sure you meet the requirements we mentioned earlier for health and residency
Grab your ID documents, such as your passport
Have you address history ready from the past three years
Go to the gov.uk website and follow the online portal to fill in your application
Postal provisional application
Ask for a D1 ‘application for driving licence’ form at the Post Office
Follow the instructions to fill in the form. – they usually come in a handy envelope with a leaflet that gives tips for filling in your form
Post the form to the address on the document with a cheque or postal order
How much is a provisional licence
Applying for your provisional licence isn’t too expensive and there are a couple of ways you can pay.
Application fee
If you want to apply for your provisional licence online, you’ll need to pay £34. Applying for a provisional licence by post will cost £43.
Once you’ve passed your driving test, it’s free to get your full UK licence. It’ll cost you £17 to get your full licence if you want to replace the photo with a new one, though.
)
How to pay for a provisional licence
You can pay for your provisional licence easily online using your bank details.
If you’re paying via post, you’ll need to include a cheque or postal order.
To use a postal order, you need to pay a fee on top of the amount you want to pay.
Postal orders aren’t free and you can expect it to cost 12.5% of the face value. So, you’ll be paying £43 plus an extra 12.5% for your provisional licence.
How long does a provisional licence application take?
It typically takes about three weeks for a provisional driving licence to arrive if you send your application by post.
If you apply for your provisional online, it can take around one week to arrive.
The DVLA may need to carry out extra checks that mean you’re waiting longer for your licence to arrive.
Provisional licence renewal process
It costs £14 to renew your provisional licence online, £17 to renew via post, or £21.50 to renew at a Post Office.
Renew online
To renew online, you’ll need a UK passport or the documents you used to set up your immigration status.
You’ll then need to go to follow the process on the gov.uk website and pay using your bank details.
Your new licence should arrive within a week.
Renew by post
To renew by post, you’ll need to get a D1 form from the Post Office and include a passport-style photo, your current licence, and a cheque or postal order for £17.
Renew at a Post Office
If you want to renew at a Post Office, you’ll need to find a location that offers DVLA photocard licence renewal.
You’ll need to bring your provisional licence and pay £21.50.
Common issues and troubleshooting
If you run into any troubles with your provisional licence, there’s likely an easy fix.
Application rejections
There are a couple of reasons a provisional licence application might be rejected, and it’s typically down to whether or not you meet the requirements.
This could happen if:
You don't provide the correct proof of ID
You don’t meet residency requirements
You don’t meet the health requirements
You can contact the DVLA if you believe your application has been wrongly rejected – you should hear back within two weeks.
If you’re not happy with the response or you don’t hear back within that time, you can escalate to the DVLA Customer Complaint Resolution Team.
Lost or stolen licences
If your provisional licence has been lost or stolen, you can replace it on online or via the post.
If you want to apply by post, you’ll need to get your hands on one of those D1 forms we keep mentioning.
You’ll see options on the form for replacing a lost or stolen licence, and you should have your new licence within three weeks.
If you’re replacing your licence online, you’ll need to visit the gov.uk page and follow the process.
Replacing a lost or stolen provisional licence will cost £20 - so don’t make a habit of losing them!