Use the official service
Only apply through gov.uk. It costs £34 online. Websites that charge more are not DVLA — they just pass your details on and keep the extra.
Before you start
Check you can apply: you must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, be able to read a number plate from 20 metres (with glasses or contact lenses if you need them), and have permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days. See who can apply for the full rules.
Then have these ready:
- Your addresses for the last 3 years, with postcodes
- Your National Insurance number, if you know it
- Your UK passport, if you have one — it lets DVLA use your passport photo and signature
- An email address for your confirmation
- A debit or credit card for the £34 fee (Visa or Mastercard)
The application, step by step
Go to the official page
Open gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence and press Start now.
Sign in or create an account
You sign in with a GOV.UK account. You will be told at this point if you need to prove your identity — usually with photo ID such as a passport.
Enter your personal details
Full name exactly as on your ID, date of birth, place of birth and National Insurance number. Mismatched names are the most common cause of delays.
Give your address history
Your current address and every address from the last 3 years. Your licence is posted to your current address.
Answer the health questions
You are asked about your eyesight and any medical conditions that could affect driving. Answer honestly — see medical conditions.
Check and declare
Review everything, confirm the declaration and choose whether to join the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Pay £34
Pay by card. You will get a confirmation email with a reference — keep it until your licence arrives.
Your photo and signature
If you have a valid UK passport, DVLA can usually take your photo and signature from the Passport Office, so there is nothing else to send. If you don't have one, the online service tells you what to do next. Some people find it simpler to apply by post with form D1 and send a passport-style photo with their original identity document — see ID & photo you need.
After you apply
Your licence should arrive within one week of applying online. It can take longer if DVLA needs to check your identity or a medical condition — see how long it takes.
When it arrives, check every detail, sign it if asked, and keep it somewhere safe. You now have a driver number — you need it to book your theory test.
Use the wait
Start revising for your theory test while you wait. You cannot book it until your licence arrives, but you can take free mock theory tests straight away.
Start your application on GOV.UK
Questions
Can I apply for a provisional licence on my phone?
Yes. The GOV.UK service works on phones, tablets and computers. If you need to prove your identity with photo ID, a phone with a camera makes it quicker.
What if I make a mistake on the application?
Contact DVLA straight away. If the licence has already been printed with a mistake, send it back with a note explaining what is wrong and DVLA will correct it.
Does a provisional licence let me ride a moped or motorbike?
Yes. A provisional licence normally covers cars, mopeds and motorbikes. For a moped or motorbike you must also complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before riding on the road.