Get your licence

Applying for a provisional driving licence

Before you can learn to drive a car, moped or motorcycle you must apply for a provisional driving licence. If you already hold a valid full driving licence and want to learn to drive larger vehicles, minibuses or buses you will need to apply for provisional entitlement for these vehicles.

Apply online

You can apply for your first provisional driving licence for a car, moped or motorcycle using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) secure and easy to use online service.

Apply for your provisional driving licence online via the DirectGov website here

Apply in person or by post

You can apply for your provisional driving licence by completing the D1 application form that is available from the DVLA form ordering service or Post Office® branches. You will also need to enclose original documentation confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and the fee of £50.00. Send your completed application and payment to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD or you may be able to use the premium checking service.

Identity documents and photograph criteria

When you apply for a photocard driving licence you’ll need to provide identification and a photo. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) can’t send you a driving licence until it’s satisfied that it can confirm your identity.

Identity documents

You must provide original documents. DVLA won’t accept photocopies or laminated certificates.

United Kingdom (UK) digital passports

If you hold a digital passport (the photograph and signature appear on the same page), DVLA can confirm your identity with the Identity and Passport Service. You don’t have to send your passport to DVLA.

When applying online you’ll be asked to provide your nine digit passport number allowing DVLA to confirm your identity.

If you apply by post, using the D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, write your nine digit passport number and your signature in the ‘confirming your identity’ section of the D1 form.

Other types of identification

DVLA also accepts the following documents as confirmation of your identity. Unlike the digital passport though, you’ll need to send your identity document with your application:

* full valid current passport

* National identity card issued by a member state of the European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA)

* UK identity card for foreign nationals / residence permit or travel documents issued by the Home Office

* UK certificate of naturalisation

Do not send in your passport if you need it within the next month. If this is the case you should consider delaying your licence application until you can send it with your passport to DVLA.

If you’ve reached State Pension age, you can provide originals of one of the following in your name:

* recent (within three months) bank or building society statement showing your pension payment and National Insurance number

* BR2102, BR2103 or BR5899 letter confirming your eligibility for the State Pension

UK birth and adoption certificates

UK birth and adoption certificates can also be used, however, as they are not absolute proof of identity, they must be accompanied by one of the following:

* National Insurance card or a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions containing your National Insurance number

* photocopy of the front page of a benefits book or an original benefits claim letter

* P45, P60 or pay slip

* marriage certificate or divorce papers (decree nisi or absolute)

* college or university union card or school record

If you don’t have a birth or adoption certificate, or the one that you have doesn’t show your full name or country of birth, contact your local register office.