Applying For your Driving Licence
A Drivers responsibility is to comply with the requirements of the Driving License.
here is what you need to know
Provisional Licence
Before you can start learning to drive, you must apply for a provisional licence.
You can apply for your provisional licence either online or in person at your local post office.
To apply online for your provisional driving licence go to GOV.UK. Alternatively, you can apply for your provisional licence by completing the D1 application form, available at your local Post Office.
To apply for your provisional driving licence, you need to:
- Live in the UK
- be 17 within 3 months (but you need to wait until your birthday before you can drive on the road)
- have proof of identity
- Be able to read a new-style number plate from 20 metres or an old-style number plate form 20.5 metres
- be medically fit to drive
- not be prevented from driving for any reason
Cost for a provisional driving licence is £34 paid by debit or credit card
Your provisional driving licence should arrive from the DVLA within 3 weeks of receiving your application although it can take longer if your health or personal details have to be checked. In the meantime, start to study the Highway Code.
Checking your Driving Licence entitlement
It is a requirement for Driving Instructors to check your driving licence, this is done on your first lesson with a particular driving instructor. If you change instructors you will be required to do this over again. The reason this is done is so the driving instructor can check which vehicles you are entitled to drive and whether or not you have any endorsements or convictions that would prevent you from taking a driving lesson
Once you get your provisional driving license and before your first lesson follow these steps –
You’ll need to generate a code that will allow your instructor to check your licence details:
You will need:
- Your driving licence
- Your national insurance number
- Your home postcode
Once on the website follow the steps below;
Step 1: Enter your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode as shown on your driving licence.
Step 2: Click on “share licence information”. This creates a code. The code is case sensitive, can only be used once, and is valid for 21 days.
Step 3: Give the code to your Instructor together with the last eight digits of your driving licence number. In advance of your first driving lesson if you can and your driving Instructor will view your licence details online. Be aware that your Instructor is encouraged to save a screenshot as evidence of the licence entitlement check.
Step 4: Produce your photocard licence for ID inspection on your first lesson. It is your responsibility to provide your Instructor with proof that you have a valid licence to drive. If you fail to provide this proof, your Instructor is entitled to refuse to conduct the lesson but still charge you.
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Full Driving Licence
Once you’ve passed your practical driving test, you can apply for a full driving licence and get out on the road! Get in touch with the DVLA to swap your test pass certificate and provisional driving licence for a full licence as soon as possible. If you don’t then you may have to redo your driving test all over again!
Going forward it is your responsibility to inform the DVLA such as a change in address or any medical conditions.
