Before you can take driving lessons or practise in a car, you need a provisional driving licence. Applying is quick and can be done online, but it helps to know what you need before you start, so you do not waste time or pay more than necessary.
This guide explains how to apply for your first provisional driving licence in England, step by step, using official GOV.UK guidance. It also explains how this differs from a full driving licence, which you receive after you pass your driving test.
Quick answer: you apply for your first provisional driving licence from DVLA through GOV.UK. You must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away and have permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days. It costs £34 online or £43 by post (form D1), and the licence should usually arrive within a week if you apply online.
Provisional licence or full licence?
These are two different stages, and it is easy to mix them up:
- Provisional driving licence: the licence you apply for first. It lets you learn to drive, take your theory test and take your driving test.
- Full driving licence: the licence you get after you pass your practical driving test. You do not apply for this at the start.
According to the GOV.UK driving licence fees page, the first full licence after passing your test is free if you use the photo from your provisional licence. This article is about the provisional licence only.
Who can apply
On the GOV.UK application page, you must:
- Be at least 15 years and 9 months old
- Be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
- Have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days
GOV.UK also says you can usually start driving a car when you are 17, although the rules are different if you have a disability or long-term health condition. You must tell DVLA if you have or develop a medical condition that could affect your driving (legal obligations of drivers and riders). The driving eyesight rules explain the standards, and say you must wear glasses or contact lenses every time you drive if you need them to meet them.
What you need before you start
Having everything ready makes the online application much quicker. Before you apply, check the following:
- A way to pay: online you can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card. By post you need a cheque or postal order.
- An email address: DVLA sends a confirmation email once you have applied.
- Proof of identity: GOV.UK says that when you sign in you will be told if you need to prove your identity, which usually involves photo ID such as a passport.
For paper applications, the identity documents guide explains the options. If you have a valid UK passport, you write the 9-digit passport number on the form and do not send the passport, and you cannot use the number of a passport that has expired. If you have a UK Visas and Immigration account, you can use a share code instead. If you have neither, you need to send an identity document by post.
How to apply, step by step
Applying online
- Go to the official GOV.UK page, Apply for your first provisional driving licence.
- Check you meet the requirements listed above.
- Select the option to start, then sign in or create sign-in details.
- Prove your identity if you are asked to.
- Complete the application and pay the fee by card.
- Look out for the confirmation email from DVLA.
Applying by post
If you prefer paper, GOV.UK says to complete form D1, ‘Application for a driving licence’, which is available from most Post Offices. Send it to the address on the form with a cheque or postal order for £43, and make sure you pay the correct postage. Cheques and postal orders are payable to DVLA.
Instructor tip: only use the official GOV.UK service to apply. The online fee is £34, so check the price carefully before you pay on any website.
Cost and how long it takes
| How you apply | Fee on GOV.UK |
|---|---|
| Online | £34 |
| By post (form D1) | £43 |
Fees can change, so check the current amount on the GOV.UK fees page before you apply. GOV.UK says your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online, but it may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks. You can track your application online, using the application reference emailed to you. If you applied by post, you need to contact DVLA to track it.
What happens after you receive it
Once your provisional licence arrives, GOV.UK says you need it to take lessons or practise. The main rules for learner drivers are:
- You must be supervised by a driving instructor or another qualified driver who meets the rules
- The car must display L plates (or D plates in Wales). You can get up to 6 penalty points if you do not display them or they are not the right size
- You can drive at any time, day and night
- You can only drive on motorways if you are with an approved driving instructor and the car has dual controls
Read your licence carefully when it arrives and check your details. Always tell DVLA if you change address, and use the official services if you ever need to renew, replace or change the address on your provisional licence.
Theory test and practical test
Your provisional licence is the key to the next steps:
- Theory test: you need a provisional licence to book your theory test, which costs £23 for a car. You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your theory or driving test.
- Practical test: you must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test. Read our guide to the 2026 booking rules before you book.
Learning in an automatic car means no clutch or gear changes, so many learners find it easier to concentrate on road skills. If you are comparing options, see why people choose automatic driving lessons and check the pricing page. The show me, tell me page covers the vehicle questions you will be asked on test day.
Common application mistakes
- Using an expired passport number, which GOV.UK says you cannot do
- Sending your physical passport when you only need to write the number on the form
- Not telling DVLA about a medical condition that affects driving
- Starting to drive before the licence arrives, as you need it for lessons and practice
- Forgetting L plates when you start to practise
- Paying the wrong fee on an unofficial website instead of the GOV.UK service
Frequently asked questions
How old do I have to be to apply for a provisional licence?
At least 15 years and 9 months old. GOV.UK says you can usually start driving a car at 17.
How much does a provisional licence cost?
£34 online or £43 by post, according to GOV.UK at the time of writing. Check the fees page for the current amount.
How long does it take to get a provisional licence?
GOV.UK says it should arrive within one week if you apply online, though it may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks.
Do I need a provisional licence before my first lesson?
Yes. GOV.UK says you need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practise.
Is a provisional licence the same as a full licence?
No. The provisional licence lets you learn and take your tests. The full licence comes after you pass your driving test.
Can I apply if I am not a British citizen?
GOV.UK says you must have been given permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days, and explains identity options such as a share code. Check the official guidance for your situation.
Quick checklist
- Check you meet the age, eyesight and residence requirements
- Have your card, email address and identity details ready
- Apply through the official GOV.UK service (£34 online at the time of writing)
- Watch for the confirmation email and track the application if needed
- Check your licence details when it arrives
- Add L plates and arrange supervised practice or lessons
- Book your theory test when you are ready
Learn with AK Automatic Driving School
AK Automatic Driving School is run by a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor offering one-to-one automatic driving lessons in Brighton and Hove, Burgess Hill and Lancing, with Portslade and Shoreham-by-Sea also covered. See the pricing page for lesson costs, or send an enquiry to talk through what you need. You can also explore our automatic driving lessons on our main website.