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Provisional Driving Licence Help and Advice...

Provisional Driving Licence - Help & Advice

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:

  • The provisional licence photo ID card
  • The provisional licence paper counterpart

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.

Provisional Licence Help

Can I apply for a provisional driving licence?

You can apply for a provisional driving licence as long as you meet the following requirements:

  • are a resident of Great Britain
  • can meet the minimum age requirement
  • can meet the minimum eyesight requirement
  • are currently not prevented from driving for any reason
  • can pay £34.00 by Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Electron, Delta or Solo debit or credit card
  • have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
  • can provide addresses of where you have lived over the last three years

How do I apply for the provisional driving licence

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 itDVLA,
Swansea,
SA99 1AD

What does the UK Provisional Driving Licence allow me to do?

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.

How long will it take to get my provisional licence?

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.

I've lost my provisional licence, do I need my driver number to get another one?

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.

I've lost the provisional licence counterpart, what should I do?

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.