How to get your provisional driving license

In order to take the theory test, and ultimately the practical driving test, you will need to have a valid provisional driving license. Indeed you need the provisional license in order to be able to learn to drive at all, so you will need to get it before your first lesson.

There is an online service available through the DVLA that you can use to apply for your driving license.

You can also apply through the mail or indeed in person. The form that you will need is called a D1 application form. There is full information about this on the DVLA website; however briefly you will need to ensure that you meet their criteria for proving your identity, and also include a photograph.

Currently the price is set at £38 to receive your provisional driving license. In terms of the time that it takes, then you should expect to wait around three weeks because this is the time in which the DVLA tries to turnaround your driving license from receipt of your application. It is therefore not recommended that you contact the DVLA to follow-up on your application if less than three weeks have passed, as this is normal.

Please note there are different processes for other licenses (for instance buses and other large vehicles); this website is focused on cars exclusively.

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