Apply for your first provisional driving licence

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

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

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’ll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you’ve applied. You might be asked to take part in research by email, but you can opt out.

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: 17 July 2017