Ready to get on the road? Then first you will need a provisional driving licence. This is the gateway to your driving journey. But if you know little to nothing about it, don’t worry as we have answered all the questions you might have about provisional driving licences in this ultimate guide.
Read on to become an expert in how to apply, what you can do with it and what you absolutely must not do to make sure you achieve the freedom of the open road!
We have highlighted some of the most common questions we receive about provisional driving licences here:
- How do I apply for a provisional driving licence?
- When can you apply for a provisional driving licence?
- Do I need a provisional licence to take driving lessons?
- How long does a provisional driving licence last for?
- What happens once you receive your provisional licence?
What is a provisional driving licence?
A provisional driving licence is a temporary driving permit that gives you permission to learn to drive in the UK under supervision. It allows you to take your theory, hazard perception and practical driving tests as well as granting you legal permission to have driving lessons.
When it arrives, your provisional licence will look like a green credit card with your photo on it and a bunch of numbers, something like this:
Where is the provisional driving licence number on my provisional licence?
Your provisional driving licence number is the long 16-digit number across the front of the green card, underneath the expiry date and before your signature.
You will, in most cases, keep your provisional driving licence number with it becoming your driving licence number on your pink licence when you pass your final driving test, unless you change your name or update the gender marker on your driver number.
How do I apply for a provisional driving licence?
You can apply for your provisional licence online or by post using the D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ available at most Post Offices. Once you have applied, you can track the progress of your application on the gov.uk website here.
What do I need to apply for my provisional driving licence?
The provisional driving licence application process is pretty straightforward, but you will need to ensure that you have some documents or information to hand.
To apply you will need the following:
- Proof of identity, such as a valid UK passport (this includes one that has expired within the last 12 months) or non-UK passport, a biometric residence permit, biometric residence card, national identity card or UK certificate of naturalisation.
- Your national insurance number.
- Details of addresses you have lived at during the last 3 years.
- A means to make payment, such as a credit or debit card to pay for the provisional licence.
- A passport photo or one that meets passport photo requirements – this will need to be signed by someone else if you are not using your passport or a share code (if you have a UKVI account) as your proof of identity.
Who can sign a provisional driving licence photo?
The DVLA are very specific about who you can use to countersign your provisional driving licence photo. The person must be someone who has known you for at least 2 years and:
- Lives in the UK
- Does not live with you
- Is not related to you
- Holds a valid Great Britain photocard driving licence
- Holds or is retired from a particular profession – a list of accepted professions can be found here
The person will need to sign the back of the photo, confirming that they know you and that the photo is a true likeness of you. They may then be contacted by the DVLA to confirm this.
How much is a provisional driving licence?
At the time of writing this, a provisional driving licence costs £34 if you apply online. It is slightly more expensive, at £43, if you apply by post.
When can you apply for a provisional driving licence?
You don’t need to wait until you are 17. You can apply for a provisional licence if you meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 15 years and 9 months old.
- Be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away.
- Have a valid UK address.
- Have been legally living in England, Scotland or Wales for at least 185 days.
- Have disclosed any medical conditions that might affect your driving to the DVLA by checking and completing the relevant form(s) here.
- Not banned from driving. This might seem obvious but we did have someone recently call us trying to book driving lessons in Watford when they had already banned from driving, so it’s worth pointing this out!
If you live in Northern Ireland there is a separate process for applying on the DVA website.
Can I apply for my child’s provisional driving licence?
For all the parents out there, we know this is a burning question and unfortunately, the answer is no. As with applying for a driver’s licence, the provisional driving licence application must be completed by the person who is applying for the provisional licence. However, this does not mean that you can’t help them with completing the form and go through it with them when they do it.
How long does a provisional licence take to come?
The expected wait time depends on whether you have applied by post or online. Online is faster, with the DVLA saying that you can expect it to arrive in around a week. Postal applications can take around 3 weeks.
What can I drive on a provisional licence?
With your provisional driving licence you can drive:
- From 16, a moped or a light quad bike with a top speed of no more than 28mph
- A car from 17, unless you have applied for or are receiving the enhanced rate of the mobility component Personal Independence Payment benefit which allows you to learn from 16 years old
- From 17, a van from 17 as long as it does not weigh over 3.5 tonnes
You must be properly supervised to drive out on the roads. Unless you are riding a motorcycle, you will need either an approved instructor or a fully qualified driver in the vehicle with you who:
- Is 21 years old or older
- Has had a full UK driving license for at least 3 years
- Is fully qualified to drive the vehicle you are learning in
- Is not using a mobile phone or over the limit on drink or drugs whilst supervising
Can I have passengers in the car on a provisional driving licence?
Yes, you can, as long as you are being supervised and the person supervised meets the requirements above.
Further rules to remember about driving on a provisional licence
Other important points to remember when you are driving on a provisional driving licence:
- L plates – these will need to be clearly displayed on both the front and back of the vehicle you are learning in. This is why you will always see those snazzy red Ls on all of driveJohnson’s teaching vehicles. If you don’t have these displayed you could face a fine and points on your driver record so, no matter how you feel about them, it’s worth displaying those L plates.
- Insurance – the vehicle you are learning in will need to be covered by the correct insurance. If you are learning to drive in a car with a driving instructor, the instructor should have insurance that covers you in that vehicle. All driveJohnson’s teaching vehicles are fully insured for their learner drivers. If you are learning in another vehicle, you can take out a learner driver insurance policy for this or be added to an existing insurance policy as a named driver. These insurance policies can be expensive so we would always recommend shopping around before purchasing a policy.
- Motorways – with a provisional licence, you can only drive on a motorway if you are in a car fitted with dual controls and accompanied by a DVSA-approved driving instructor. Do not attempt to go on the motorway otherwise as your provisional will not cover you.
Do I need a provisional licence to take driving lessons?
Yes, you do. Without it, you are not legally allowed to drive on the roads. Your driving instructor will need to see your provisional licence before taking you for lessons. This is why when you start driving lessons with one of our driving instructors at driveJohnson’s, one of the first things they will ask is to see your provisional licence to ensure that you are legally safe to drive before starting your first driving lesson.
Can you drive with a provisional licence without theory test?
Yes, you can. If you have your provisional licence, you don’t need to wait to have passed your theory test before you start having driving lessons. In fact, many learners find it helpful to study for their theory test alongside taking driving lessons as it helps them to see the theory in action and learn faster.
However, you will need to have passed your theory test before you can book your practical driving test; you cannot achieve your full driving licence without it.
How long does a provisional driving licence last for?
Your provisional driving licence will stay valid for 10 years. However, during that time, you must pass your practical driving test within 2 years of having passed your theory test. If you do not pass your practical test within the 2 years you will need to retake your theory test again.
What happens if I lose my provisional driving licence?
Never fear! Replacing a lost provisional driving licence is a simple process. You can apply to replace your provisional driving licence on the DVLA website if it is lost, stolen or destroyed and it currently costs £20 to do this. You will need to provide your addresses for the past 3 years again along with a valid form of ID.
How do I change address on a provisional licence?
If you change your address for any reason, you will need to let the DVLA know. Thankfully, changing address can be done simply online via another form on the DVLA website. You will need to provide the same information as you did when you first applied for your provisional driving licence, along with your provisional driving licence number.
There is a fine for not letting the DVLA know when you change address so we would always recommend completing the form as soon as you can.
You will also need to update the following if they apply to you:
- The address on the vehicle log book for any vehicle you own
- The direct debit details if you pay for vehicle tax by direct debit
- The address information on a personal registration number document if you have a personalised registration plate
How do you renew a provisional driving licence?
Similar to applying for your first provisional licence, you do this online on the DVLA website or by post using a D1 form. Postal applications can either be done by obtaining a DVLA D1 form pack from a Post Office and completing it yourself or using the DVLA photocard renewal service offered at some branches.
Current prices for renewing are as follows:
- Online – £14
- Posting D1 form pack direct to DVSA – £17
- Post Office renewal service – £21.50
You will need to provide the same information that you gave when first applying, plus your current provisional licence details. There tends to be a few weeks of processing time for renewals, but whilst you are waiting for your new provisional licence to arrive you can still drive as you would normally.
Can I use a provisional driving licence as ID?
Yes, a provisional driving licence is accepted as a valid form of proof of both your address and identity for many places, including banks, because they have been checked and issued by the government.
What happens once you receive your provisional licence?
A provisional driving licence is a stepping stone to freedom on the road and it needn’t be a long process to get that shiny pink licence of your own. Once you have your provisional, get in touch with us at driveJohnson’s and we will help you to pass your driving tests safely in no time! To find out about the prices and availability of our expert driving instructors in your area click here.
These are the next steps:
1. Call driveJohnson’s up
Give yourself a great chance of passing first time and save money in the long run with us.
2. Start practising for your theory test ASAP
If you are really keen, you can start studying for your theory test well before you receive your licence.
3. Extra theory training resources?
driveJohnson’s will provide you with theory training software to help you pass the theory test. There are many resources out there, we know our software works great, but there’s no harm in getting recommended books, visit our theory test page for more information.
4. Weekly driving lessons
While waiting to pass your theory test, we suggest having 2 hours worth of driving lessons a week. Everyone is different, so this is just a guideline. The average learner will benefit from 2 hours a week. Once you pass the theory, then it can be all systems go by booking the practical test and increasing the lessons.
5. Book the practical test
Always seek advice from your instructor on when to book your driving test. At driveJohnson’s, we promote booking your test in anticipation you will be ready, so you have something to aim for. When you do this, most learners have a goal to aim for, and they have more motivation, be it consciously or unconsciously.
6. Pass your test with the best!
To find out why we are one of the best in the business and for more general information, visit the following pages:
