How do I get my first provisional driving licence?

What a provisional licence is

A provisional driving licence lets you learn to drive a car, motorbike or moped on public roads. You need one before you can drive on public roads as a learner, and you need its licence number to book your driving test. In Great Britain it is issued by DVLA.

Who can get one

You must:

• be at least 15 years and 9 months old
• be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away (about the length of 5 parked cars)
• have been given permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days

Most people can start learning to drive a car when they are 17.

How much it costs

How to apply

1. Apply online through the DVLA service on GOV.UK.
2. Sign in. You will be told if you need to prove your identity, for example with a passport.
3. Pay the £34 fee.
4. Or, to apply by post, fill in form D1 "Application for a driving licence" (from most Post Offices) and send it to the address on the form with £43.

Rules while you are learning

• The car must show "L" plates.
• If you practise with family or friends, they must be over 21 and have held a full licence for 3 years (from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) for that type of car.
• You must be insured. Some insurers want your supervisor to be over 25.
• You can only drive on motorways in England, Scotland or Wales, with an approved driving instructor, in a car with dual controls.

Things to know

• Driving without the right supervision can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points.
• Driving without insurance can lead to an unlimited fine, a ban and up to 8 penalty points.
• Points on your provisional licence that have not expired carry over to your full licence. If you reach 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test, your licence is cancelled and you must pass both tests again.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Provisional licences are issued by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), not DVLA. You can apply online or by post using form DL1. Allow at least six weeks for it to arrive. Learners must show L plates and must not drive faster than 45mph. Supervisors must be 21 or over and have held a full car licence for at least three years.

Related guides

• How do I book my theory test?
• What are the rules for learner drivers?
• How much does it cost to learn to drive?
• How do I book my driving test?
• How do I replace a lost driving licence?

Where this comes from

• Apply for your first provisional driving licence (GOV.UK)
• Driving eyesight rules (GOV.UK)
• Driving lessons and learning to drive (GOV.UK)
• Practising with family or friends (GOV.UK)
• Penalty points: new drivers (GOV.UK)
• Applying for a provisional driving licence (nidirect)
• Minimum ages and rules for learner drivers and riders (nidirect)