How to apply for your first provisional driving licence UK

Hi and welcome to this quick and easy guide that will help you apply for your first provisional driving licence. The fastest way is to go online three months before you turn 16, but you will need to plan ahead for your 17th birthday before you can legally learn to drive and take driving lessons. Alternatively you can apply by post by acquiring a D1 application form from your local post office too. 

Driving Eyesight Rules

It’s worth mentioning here that there are specific eyesight requirements where if necessary you must wear suitable glasses or contact lenses so that you can read a number plate of a vehicle at a distance of 20 metres away. This is so that when you take driving lessons you can easily read a variety of road signs in plenty of time and react accordingly. 

What you will need to apply online 

The cost to apply online for your first provisional driving licence UK is £34, also it’s good to know that you can pay by credit or debit card such Visa or MasterCard. 

At this stage you will need to prove who you are with suitable identity such as a valid UK passport and addresses that you have lived at for the last 3 years. Please DO NOT send in your passport, simply use the 9-digit number on your application providing your passport is not out of date. 

Additionally you may be asked to provide your National Insurance Number if you know it too. 

How long will it take to arrive in the post?

As soon as you have completed the application process online you will receive email confirmation from the DVLA. If you do not see an email regarding your application please check your junk or spam folder. Please note that your first provisional licence should normally arrive within one week. However, it may take longer if the DVLA needs to make additional checks.