Provisional licences

Key takeaways

• You must be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply for a provisional driving licence

• With a provisional licence you can learn to ride a moped or light quad bike when you’re 16 but you can’t use it for learning to drive a car until you’re 17

• After passing your driving test your provisional licence is sent to the DVLA and replaced with a full licence

What is a provisional driving licence?  

A provisional driving licence lets you get behind the wheel of a car and start learning to drive. You can do this with a professional instructor or with a friend or family member, just as long as they follow all the rules required. Your instructor must:

• Be aged 21 or over

• Have held a full driving licence for at least three years (from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein)

• Be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you are learning to drive in   

When you pass your driving test your provisional licence will be upgraded to a full driving licence. It lets you drive without anyone in the car and you’re also able to drive on motorways, which your provisional licence doesn’t allow (unless you’re with an approved driving instructor in a car fitted with dual controls).   

What rules must provisional driving licence holders follow?

• You always need to have someone with you in the car

• You need to follow all of the rules of the UK roads such as keeping to the speed limit and following any road signs. 

• In Northern Ireland you must not drive at more than 45 miles per hour when you’re learning to drive a car

What are the restrictions  of a provisional driving licence?  

• You must display L plates (D plates in Wales) on the front and back of the car you’re driving 

• You need to have the correct car insurance in place 

• You can only drive on a motorway in England, Scotland and Wales if you’re with an approved driving instructor in a car fitted with dual controls

• If you aren’t driving with a qualified instructor, and it’s a friend or family member, they need to be 21 or over, have had a full driving licence for at least three years and be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you’re learning in. They must not use a mobile phone while supervising you

Can I drive a car by myself with a provisional licence?

No, you cannot drive a car on a provisional licence unless you have someone supervising you. You could be fined up to £1,000 and get up to six penalty points on your provisional driving licence if you drive without the right supervision.

When do I need to get a provisional driving licence? 

Before you start learning to drive you will need to apply for a provisional driving licence. It is the key to booking each element of your driving test and you won’t be able to have driving lessons until you have one.

What age can I get a provisional driving licence?  

To apply for your provisional driving licence, you must be at least 15 years and nine months old.

You can use your licence to learn to ride a moped or light quad bike when you’re 16 but you can’t use it for learning to drive a car until you’re 17. The exception to this rule is if you receive a mobility allowance and, in this case, you can learn to drive a car and take the test at age 16.  

You will also need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away (wearing glasses or contact lenses, if necessary), and you need to have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days.  

You can apply for the licence online at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and it costs £34. If you apply by post it costs £43.  

What can I drive with a provisional licence?  

• A car

• A van up to 3.5 tonnes

• A moped

• A light quad bike

You can choose whether to drive an automatic or a manual car, but if you pass your test in an automatic car, you will only be qualified to drive these cars. If you pass your test in a manual car, you will be able to drive both types.   

How do I apply for a provisional licence?   

You will need to supply a few important documents when applying for your provisional licence, either online or by post. They include the following:  

• Your ID: you’ll need either a valid UK passport or a birth or adoption certificate. If you don’t have these documents there is a list of alternatives, you can use on the GOV.UK website 

• Your addresses for the last three years 

• Your National Insurance number may be required 

• A photo and signature, you may be able to use this from your passport 

• Details of any medical conditions you have  

The process takes around one week if you apply online and no further checks are needed to be made by the DVLA. You can pay online too, with a MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta credit card or debit card.  

If you apply by post you will need to fill in a D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ form, which you can either order from the DVLA or you can pick up one in most Post Offices. You will need to send a cheque or postal order with your application form for £43.   

How much is a provisional driving licence?

The cheapest way to apply for a provisional driving licence is online. It costs £34. If you apply by post it costs £43.

What if I’ve lost my provisional driving licence?  

If you lose your provisional driving licence you can apply for a new one online and it will cost £20. You will need to give some details, including:

• Your licence number

• UK passport number

• Your National Insurance number.

You can also apply for a replacement licence on the phone on 0300 790 6801 or by post by filling out the D1 application form, as listed above.  

How do I renew a provisional driving licence?  

You must renew your photocard provisional licence every 10 years and you can do this:

• Online for a fee of £14 at the GOV.UK website

• At a local Post Office for a cost £21.50

• Directly with the DVLA by filling out the D1 form and paying £17  

What car insurance do I need with a provisional licence? 

Before you start driving you need to make sure you have the correct car insurance in place.

If you are driving with a qualified instructor, they will have insurance arranged but you will need cover when you are driving with anyone else. This could be:

• Being added as a named driver on a parent or friend’s car

• Taking out your own learner driver insurance

• Take out a short term or temporary car insurance policy

Theory training and exams  

Your driving instructor will tell you when you are ready to book and take your driving theory test. It costs £23 and you can book your test online at the GOV.UK website.

The theory test is made up of two parts:

• Multiple-choice questions

• Hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road

To prepare for the test you could:

• Buy the official DVSA book for the theory and hazard perception tests which costs £15. Your local library may also have a copy, or you could borrow one from a friend 

• Buy The Official DVSA Theory Test Kit app for £4.99

• Do free mock tests online

Practical driving lessons and the driving test  

There are a few different options when it comes to driving lessons, you could buy a package of lessons, or you might opt for a short intensive course. The best choice for you will depend on your budget and the amount of time you have spare.

There is no minimum number of driving lessons and set number of hours needed in order to pass your driving test.

Make sure you choose a driving instructor who is registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). They should display a badge on their windscreen. A green badge shows they are qualified whereas a pink badge shows they are a trainee.

Going out with a friend or family member for extra practise can also help you to pass sooner.  

What to do once you have passed your driving test  

When you pass your driving test, the examiner will take your provisional licence and send it to the DVLA. It will then send you a full licence within three weeks. If not, get in touch with the DVLA.

While you’re waiting for your licence you can still drive as your driving test pass certificate shows you can legally drive.

You may want use green ‘probationary’ P plates to show you are a newly qualified dirver but there is no requirement to do this. However, in Northern Ireland you will need to display ‘restricted driver’ R plates for a year after you pass your test.

You will need to update your car insurance policy from learner driver cover to fully-qualified cover.   

You can either stay with your current insurer or take a policy out with a different insurer. It’s always worth comparing prices and policies before arranging this cover.