Provisional Driving Licence Cost and How to Apply (2026)
Last verified: April 2026
The DVLA charges GBP34 for a first provisional driving licence applied for online, and GBP43 if you apply by post[1][5]. The licence lets you take lessons with an approved driving instructor and to practise privately under supervision once you meet the conditions. This is the first paid step in learning to drive in the UK.
Provisional licence fees
| Item | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Apply for first provisional (online) | GBP34 | gov.uk[1] |
| Apply for first provisional (post, form D1) | GBP43 | gov.uk[1] |
| Replace lost or stolen licence | GBP20 | gov.uk[5] |
| Replace damaged licence | GBP20 | gov.uk[5] |
| Update address or name | Free | gov.uk |
| Renew at age 70 and over | Free | gov.uk |
| Exchange a non-GB licence for a UK one | GBP43 | gov.uk[5] |
Who can apply
DVLA rules[1]:
- You can apply from 15 years and 9 months old.
- You can use it to drive a car (category B) from your 17th birthday.
- You can use it to ride a moped (category AM/Q) from 16.
- You must meet the eyesight standard: read a number plate from 20 metres in good daylight, with glasses or contacts if you need them[4].
- You must be able to provide three years of UK address history and proof of identity.
If you receive certain disability benefits (the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA, or the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP) you can drive a car from age 16. Check eligibility on gov.uk before applying.
How to apply
Online (recommended)
- Go to gov.uk and search "apply for first provisional driving licence".
- Enter your name, address, and date of birth.
- Enter your National Insurance number if you know it.
- Confirm your identity using a current UK biometric passport, or upload a photo if not.
- Pay GBP34 by debit or credit card.
- Wait 1 to 3 weeks for the licence to arrive in the post[3].
By post
Use form D1, available from gov.uk or any larger Post Office. Send the completed form, a passport-style colour photo, the GBP43 fee (cheque or postal order made out to DVLA), and proof of identity. The postal route is always slower and slightly more expensive than online. Use it only if you cannot apply online.
What the licence lets you do
A provisional licence (category B) lets you drive a manual or automatic car on UK roads under supervision. You must:
- Be supervised by a driver aged 21+ who has held a full licence for the relevant transmission for 3+ years.
- Display L plates of the prescribed dimensions on the front and rear of the car (D plates in Wales are also acceptable).
- Be insured to drive that specific vehicle as a learner.
- Not drive on a motorway unless accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.
Detail on the supervision rules is on our private practice costs page.
Licence categories you get with a Category B provisional
DVLA[2]:
| Category | What you can drive |
|---|---|
| B (provisional) | Cars, including those with manual or automatic transmission, up to 3,500kg with up to 8 passenger seats. Trailer up to 750kg. |
| B auto | If you only ever pass in an automatic, your full licence is restricted to automatic vehicles. See manual vs automatic page. |
| AM / Q (moped) | Two and three-wheel mopeds up to 50cc. Available from 16. |
Common mistakes
- Wrong photo. The single most common rejection reason on postal applications.
- Address mismatch. Your declared three-year address history must reconcile against passport and bank records.
- Wrong identity proof. An expired passport will not be accepted; you need current proof.
- Driving before the document arrives. Insurance is invalid until the physical licence is in your hand.
- Forgetting to declare a medical condition. Conditions affecting driving must be declared on the form. Failure to declare is an offence.
How long DVLA processing takes
DVLA quotes 1 to 3 weeks for online applications[3], longer for postal. The actual time depends on how busy DVLA is at the moment. Workload spikes after long bank holiday weekends and during summer holidays when school leavers apply en masse. If your application is taking more than four weeks, ring DVLA to check its status; the application reference is the number you give over the phone.
What happens next
Once your provisional arrives, the next step is the theory test (GBP23). Most learners take some lessons before they sit theory because the lessons themselves teach a lot of the practical knowledge the theory test asks about. We cover the theory test in detail on our theory test cost page, and the broader budget on our total cost of learning page.
What to read next
- Theory test cost and what's included
- Private practice costs and rules
- DVSA fee schedule (single reference table)
Frequently asked questions
How long does a provisional driving licence take to arrive?
DVLA quotes 1 to 3 weeks for online applications and longer for postal ones in 2026, depending on workload. Online with no medical issues to declare is usually fastest. The licence is sent through the post once approved. You cannot drive until the licence is in your hand; the application reference alone is not enough.
When can I apply for my provisional licence?
You can apply when you are 15 years and 9 months old. You cannot use it to drive a car on the road until you are 17. Some learners qualify earlier (16) if they receive certain mobility components of disability benefits. The licence is also valid for moped (category AM/Q) at age 16.
What documents do I need to apply online?
Your National Insurance number (if known), addresses for the last three years, and an identity document such as a current UK biometric passport. The DVLA online form will pull a passport photo electronically if you have a biometric passport, saving the need to send a separate photo. Without a passport the DVLA needs a paper form, a photo, and proof of identity sent in.
How much is a replacement provisional licence?
DVLA charges GBP20 for a replacement licence if the original is lost, stolen, or damaged. Updates to your address or name on an existing licence are free; you order them through gov.uk and the new licence arrives by post. Always keep your address up to date because driving with an out-of-date address can attract a fine.
Can I take lessons before my licence arrives?
No. The provisional licence must be in your hand for any lesson on a public road. You can study the Highway Code, take theory practice tests, and watch hazard perception clips before the licence arrives, but you cannot legally have a driving lesson until the document is with you. Off-road industrial-estate sessions on private land are a workaround some families use, but they are not the same as a real lesson and cannot be supervised legally on a road without a licence.
Do I need to pass an eyesight test to apply?
Not before the application is processed, but you must meet the DVLA eyesight standard before you drive: read a number plate from 20 metres in good daylight, with corrective lenses if you wear them. The eyesight check is the first thing the examiner asks at the practical test; failing it means an instant fail. If you wear glasses or contacts to read a number plate at 20 metres, declare them on the application and bring them to the test.
References
- DVLA / gov.uk: Apply for your first provisional driving licence. https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence (accessed April 2026)
- DVLA / gov.uk: Driving licence categories. https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories (accessed April 2026)
- DVLA / gov.uk: Driving licence application processing times. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency (accessed April 2026)
- DVLA / gov.uk: Eyesight rules for driving. https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules (accessed April 2026)
- DVLA / gov.uk: Driving licence fees. https://www.gov.uk/dvla-fees (accessed April 2026)