Applying for a provisional driving licence

You need to be 17 or over to hold a valid provisional driving licence - this is the minimum legal age to drive on road in the UK. If you're eager to get driving, you can apply for your provisional licence up to 3 months before your 17th birthday but it will only become valid once you turn 17. The only exception to this is if you're receiving disability living allowance at the higher rate, in which case you can apply for a provisional licence up to 3 months before your 16th birthday and the licence will become valid when you turn 16.

If you fulfil the minimum age requirement, the only other thing you need is £45 and proof of your identity.

Provisional Driving Licence Application

The form you need is Form D1 – just ask at your local post office and they should be able to give you one. Alternatively, you can request the form online at the DVLA website.

Proving Your Identity

As well as filling in the form, you'll need to identify yourself. This means providing the DVLA (the government department that approves license applications) with some documentation.

The following documentation is accepted by DVLA as confirmation of your identity. You must send the original identity document. Don’t send photocopies as this is a waste of time - your application would be rejected and then you would need to reapply.

	Full valid passport;
	Birth certificate;
	Certificate of Registry of Birth (Provided your name is present on the certificate);
	Adoption certificate;
	ID Card issued by a member state of the EC/EEA;
	Travel Documents issued by the Home Office;
	Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration.

If your name is now different from that shown on the document you submit to confirm your identity, you must also supply original documentary evidence to confirm your change of name e.g. Marriage Certificate, Decree Absolute or Decree Nisi papers, Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration.

All information on this page is supplied by the DVLA and is subject to change without notice.