Getting started
Apply for your provisional licence
The first step, and the one that has to happen before anything else. It takes about 20 minutes.
What you need
- An identity document — a UK biometric passport is easiest
- Addresses where you have lived over the last three years
- Your National Insurance number, if you know it
- A debit or credit card for the £34 fee
- Eyesight good enough to read a number plate at 20 metres
£34 online. Apply directly — third-party sites charge more for the same application.
Once it arrives
You can drive on the road with L plates, supervised by someone over 21 who has held a full licence in that category for at least three years. They need to be insured for you to drive the car.
You cannot drive on a motorway on a provisional licence unless you are with a DVSA-approved instructor in a dual-controlled car. That is one of the reasons Pass Plus exists.
You can book your theory test straight away. Many learners find it easier to get the theory out of the way early, because the pass certificate is valid for two years and you cannot book your practical without it.
Common questions
How old do I have to be to apply?
You can apply from 15 years and 9 months old. You can drive a car on the road from your 17th birthday, or from 16 if you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP.
How much does a provisional licence cost?
It costs £34 when you apply online at GOV.UK, or £43 by post. Apply directly — third-party sites charge more for the same application.
How long does it take to arrive?
Usually around a week for online applications, though it can take longer at busy times. You cannot drive until the licence physically arrives.
What do I need to apply?
An identity document such as a UK biometric passport, addresses for the last three years, and your National Insurance number if you know it. You also need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, with glasses or lenses if you wear them.
Can I drive as soon as it arrives?
Yes, but only with L plates displayed, and supervised by someone over 21 who has held a full licence in that category for at least three years. You also need to be insured to drive that car. You cannot drive on a motorway unless you are with a DVSA-approved instructor in a dual-controlled car.