How to Get a UK Provisional Driving Licence

The vast majority of people must be 1 years of age or older before you can get a provisional driving licence. The only exception to this is that you can drive a car at 16 years old if you are receiving, or have applied for the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment, know as ‘PIP’. You can apply for a provisional driving licence from as young as 15 years and 9 months of age.

All driving licences are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). To apply for a provisional driving licence, you can either do it online, or by post:

• To apply for your provisional driving licence online, visit the gov.uk website to follow the instructions.
• You can also apply by post if you prefer, though this will take a little longer and is more expensive. Request the D1 application form to be sent to your address and send your completed form to the appropriate office – details of which will be provided on the form. All provisional driving licences issued are now photocard licences, so remember to include a passport type photograph of yourself. If you don’t want to wait for the form to arrive, most Post Offices supply the D1 application form.

When Can I Drive?

Before you can legally drive on public roads, you must have received your provisional driving licence. You must not drive on public roads even if you’ve applied and waiting for your provisional licence.