Apply for your Provisional Driving Licence

When can I start learning to drive in the UK 

Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17. For a car or van, the minimum driving age is 17 years old. For a moped or restricted-power motorcycle the minimum age required is 16. Those who receive Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate may drive a car or van from the age of 16. For medium sized vehicles the minimum age is 18 and 21 for large lorries and buses.

1.  Apply for your Provisional Driving Licence

Before you can start to take driving lessons or practice under the supervision of a friend or a family member the very first thing you need to do is apply for a provisional driving licence via the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

With a provisional driving licence you can begin the process of learning to: -

  • Drive a car at 17
  • Ride a moped or light quad bike at 16

You can not apply for any driving tests or start driving lessons on the road without a provisional driving licence.

Applying for your provisional driving licence can be done online (and it's cheaper) if you:

  • are a resident of Great Britain
  • meet the minimum age requirement i.e. 15 years 9 months old
  • meet the minimum eyesight requirement i.e. you must be able to read a car number plate from 20 meters 
  • are currently not prevented from driving for any reason
  • can pay by a debit or credit card.  Check the price
  • have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
  • can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three (3) years
  • have a National Insurance number, if you know it.  If you do not have one, apply here.

You can track your driving licence application online. To track it you will need your Government Gateway ID and password. If you do not have one, you can register for one here. 

If you're unable to apply online, you'll need to pop down the Post Office or visit the DVLA website to order a D1 application form.

Once you have received and completed your D1 application form, you must also provide some identity documents confirming you are who you say you are (i.e. passport, birth certificate etc.) and a passport-size colour photograph taken against a plain light background.

You can then send your completed application form, documents and fee to the DVLA. If you're uneasy about sending identity documents through the post then there is a premium checking service available at selected Post Offices for an extra fee.

Your provisional driving licence should arrive within one (1) week of submitting your application.

Although you can apply for your provisional driving licence up to 3 months before your 16th birthday, it will not actually be valid until you turn 16 for mopeds, and 17 for cars. So you will not be able to take driving lessons in a car on a public road, or take your theory test, until you are 17 years old.

The provisional driving licence will be with the learner driver until they have successfully passed all three (3) tests - i.e. a driving theory exam, a hazard perception test and the practical road driving test. After which the learner driver will then be given a full photo-styled UK driving licence.

Can I start driving lessons before passing my theory test ?

Yes - The DVSA recommends you take practical driving lessons while preparing for your theory test. The combination of practical experience with theoretical learning should help you perform better in the theory exam. 

Once I receive my provisional driving licence

When you have received your provisional licence you're now ready to start taking driving lessons, but before your first lesson you will need to provide your driving instructor with proof that you have a valid licence. This is for insurance purposes, as your Instructor must check your provisional driving licence details to check the vehicles you’re allowed to drive, and to check for any penalty points and disqualifications.

Your driving licence details can be checked online, just follow this link - view and share your Driving Licence information. Email a copy to your driving instructor before taking your first lesson.

2.  Prepare for your UK Theory Driving Test

3.  Take out Learner Driver Insurance

The official DVSA magnetic 'L' plates

Learner drivers must display red L plates on the front and back of the vehicle where they can be easily seen. It is a legal requirement when learning to drive. You can receive up to 6 penalty points if you do NOT display an L plate. You should take L plates off your vehicle when it is not being used by a learner. These L plates comply with all UK government sizing regulations.

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