Getting your provisional licence

Your provisional driving licence is your ticket onto the road. You need one before you can take lessons, practise with family or friends, or book your theory test.

Who can apply

To apply you must:

• be at least 15 years and 9 months old
• be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away (with glasses or contact lenses if you need them)
• have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days

You can apply at 15 years and 9 months, but you can usually only start driving a car when you’re 17. The rules are different if you have a disability or long-term health condition.

How to apply

The quickest way is online with DVLA, on gov.uk’s apply service. It costs £34, and you can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

You’ll need to sign in, or create sign-in details if you don’t have them. You’ll be told if you need to prove your identity, which usually involves photo ID like a passport.

DVLA will email to confirm your application. Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. It may take longer if DVLA needs to make extra checks.

Applying by post

You can also apply by post using form D1, ‘Application for a driving licence’, which you can get from most Post Offices. Send it with a cheque or postal order for £43, and make sure you pay the correct postage.

What your provisional licence lets you do

With a provisional licence you can:

• learn to drive, as long as you’re supervised and the car shows L plates (see Lessons and private practice)
• book your theory test, which you can take from your 17th birthday

Keep your licence safe. You’ll need your photocard licence for both your theory test and your driving test.

If something changes

If you already have a provisional licence, gov.uk lets you renew it, replace it if it’s lost, stolen or damaged, or change the address on it. Links are on the apply page.