The provisional driving licence is required in order for new drivers to take learn to drive, the theory test & the practical driving test.
You can apply for the provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old, but it can't be used for a car until you are 17. The provisional driving licence is made up of 2 parts:
It's essential that you keep both parts of the provisional driving licence in a safe place because you must use them as ID on the theory test and practical driving test.
The DSA don't accept any other form of identification and unfortunately, many test candidates have had their test cancelled because of a lost provisional licence counterpart.
You can apply for a provisional driving licence as long as you meet the following requirements:
Online | |
1) Register for a Government Gateway ID and Password as part of your application | Register online here |
Whilst going through the application process you will need |
A valid debit or credit card Your UK passport if you have one Details of previous addresses |
The DVLA has produced an easy to follow video guide | DVLA online provisional licence guide |
By Post | |
1) Complete a D1 form |
Available from the post office or through the DVLA Order Provisional Licence D1 Form |
What you need to send |
Completed & signed D1 form A photograph An accepted form of ID |
Accepted forms of ID |
Full valid current passport (can be foreign passport) Identity card issued by a member state of EC/EEC (excluding Sweden) Travel documents issued by the Home Office UK certificate of naturalisation |
What you need to send if you have a new UK digital passport |
Completed & signed D1 form A photograph Your 9 digit passport number |
Where to send it | DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD |
In respect to a UK Provisional Driving Licence for a car - once you have received your licence, you are allowed to drive a car when supervised by a FULL licence holder.
The supervising licence holder MUST have 3 years of driving experience and be OVER 21 years of age.
The supervisor MUST have a licence that covers the same category of the vehicle being driven e.g. Category B - Car.
If a provisional licence holder is stopped by the Police and the supervisor doesn't meet the criteria listed above, both driver AND supervisor will be prosecuted.
If you apply for your provisional driving licence online the DVLA will aim to deliver it within 2 weeks. If you apply by post, it will take up to 3 weeks.
If, for any reason, your personal details or health details need to be checked, it will take longer.
Providing that none of your details have changed, you will need to give your driver number OR full name, date of birth and also confirm your UK address.
If your photocard and paper counterpart have been lost or stolen, you can apply for a duplicate provisional licence by telephone using a credit or debit card. The fee for a duplicate licence is £20.00. The DVLA accepts Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard and Maestro. To use this service ring 0870 240 0009, Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 8.30 pm or Saturday 8.00 am - 5.30 pm.
Note: From June 8th 2015, the paper counterpart will no longer be issued, therefore it won't be required for the test. Up until that date you MUST have both parts of your provisional licence to take the test.
The provisional driving licence is the most important thing you need to take to your driving test - without it, you won't be allowed to take a driving test. If you have lost it, you will need to apply for a duplicate through the DVLA as soon as possible (a duplicate will cost £20).
The quickest way to apply for a duplicate provisional driving licence is to ring the DVLA duplicate service on 0300 790 6801 (they will accept card payment (Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard, Solo, Electron and Maestro).
You could also apply for a duplicate online or by completing and sending the Form D1 (available at the Post Office) to the DVLA.