Apply for your full driving licence

You can apply for your full driving licence as soon as you’ve passed your practical driving test.

If you have a photocard provisional driving licence, and you haven’t changed your name, your examiner will send your driving test pass certificate to the DVLA.

You’ll receive your full driving licence within 3 weeks.

Apply by post

If you’ve changed your name or you have a paper provisional driving licence, you must:

  • fill in the declaration on your driving test pass certificate
  • fill in a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service or selected Post Offices
  • provide original documents confirming your identity
  • provide a passport photograph (only if you have a paper provisional licence)

Send your provisional licence and documents to the DVLA.

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN

You must send your driving test pass certificate and documents to the DVLA within 2 years of passing your driving test or you’ll have to take it again.

Part of Learn to drive a car: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check you're allowed to drive

    Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17.

    1. Check what age you can drive
    2. Requirements for driving legally
    3. Driving eyesight rules

  2. Step 2 Get a provisional licence

    1. Apply for your first provisional driving licence £34 to £43

  3. Step 3 Driving lessons and practice

    You need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practice.

    1. The Highway Code
    2. Taking driving lessons
    3. Find driving schools, lessons and instructors
    4. Practise vehicle safety questions

  4. and Prepare for your theory test

    1. Theory test revision and practice
    2. Take a practice theory test
    3. Theory and hazard perception test app

  5. Step 4 Book and manage your theory test

    You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

    1. Book your theory test £23
    2. What to take to your test
    3. Change your theory test appointment
    4. Check your theory test appointment details
    5. Cancel your theory test

  6. Step 5 Book and manage your driving test

    You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

    1. Book your driving test £62 to £75
    2. What to take to your test
    3. Change your driving test appointment
    4. Check your driving test appointment details
    5. Cancel your driving test

  7. Step 6 When you pass

    You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test.

    You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.

    1. Find out about Pass Plus training courses