Apply for your Provisional Licence

To apply for your provisional licence online for a moped, motorbike or car you must:

be at least 15 years and 9 months old
be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
provide an identity document unless you have a valid UK biometric passport
provide addresses where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
pay £34 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Maestro or Delta debit or credit card
have your National Insurance number if known

Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online.

You can also apply by post by completing a D1 application form, which you can get from:

the DVLA form ordering service
a Post Office

Postal applications take up to 3 weeks.

You must include:

original documents confirming your identity
a colour passport-style photograph
the fee of £43 by cheque or postal order payable to DVLA (don’t send cash)

You must send original documents – you can’t use the Post Office document certification service.

Send your completed application and payment to:

DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD – if all your documents are from the UK

When you have your provisional driving licence you can:

ride a moped – you can’t ride on the road until you’ve completed a compulsory basic training (CBT) course
drive a car, as long as you’re following the rules for learning to drive

Your licence will say when you can start driving different vehicles. Check how old you have to be to drive them.

You can drive a car when you’re 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

You must do several things before you drive a car or ride a motorcycle. These include getting a driving licence, registering, insuring and taxing your vehicle, and getting an MOT.

Before you drive or ride

You must:

have the correct driving licence
be the minimum driving or riding age
meet the minimum eyesight rules

Learner drivers

You must:

be supervised by a qualified driver (except if riding a motorcycle)
display L plates (L plates or D plates in Wales)

Vehicle requirements

The vehicle must:

be registered with DVLA
have up to date vehicle tax (check if your vehicle is taxed online)
have a current MOT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

You must also have a minimum of third party insurance that covers your use of the vehicle.

Changes to personal or vehicle details

You must tell DVLA if you:

change your name or address
make any alterations to your vehicle
sell your vehicle
have or develop a medical condition