Apply for your first provisional driving licence

Get your first provisional driving licence for a moped, motorbike or car from DVLA online.

Apply using your Government Gateway ID. If you don’t have one or need to re-register, you’ll get an ID as part of your application.

If you’ve already got your provisional driving licence you don’t need to apply again to drive a car.

Start now on driving licensing online

To get your first provisional driving licence online for a moped, motorbike or car you must:

  • be at least 15 years and 9 months old
  • be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
  • provide an identity document unless you have a valid UK biometric passport
  • provide addresses where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
  • pay £34 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Maestro or Delta debit or credit card
  • have your National Insurance number if known

Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online.

When you can apply

You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9 months old.

When you have your provisional driving licence you can:

  • ride a moped or light quad bike when you’re 16
  • drive a car when you’re 17


Your licence will say when you can start driving different vehicles. Read more about the age you can start driving different vehicles.

You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

You can apply by post by completing a D1 application form, which you can get from:

Postal applications take up to 3 weeks.

You must include:

You must send original documents - you can’t use the Post Office document certification service.

Send your completed application and payment to:

  • DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD - if all your documents are from the UK
  • DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AF - if any of your documents are from outside the UK

Last updated: 30 September 2016