Provisional licence
You must be 17 years old to get your provisional licence, but you can apply one month before your 17th birthday.
If you've a Disability Living Allowance you can get your provisional licence at the age of 16.
You must fill in a driving licence application form D1 and photocard application form D750. You can get both of these forms from your local post office.
The cost for your first provisional licence is £38.
You must send a passport-sized photo of yourself taken against a white background with one of the following forms of identification:- Full Valid Current Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Certificate of Registry of Birth (Provided your name is present on the certificate)
- Adoption certificate
- ID Card issued by a member state of the European Commission/EEA
- Travel Documents issued by the Home Office
- Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration
Completed forms should be sent to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD
If you don’t want to send your ID documents through the post, you can use the Post Office Checking Service but it costs more. This means that your documents are checked at the post office so you don't have to send them onto the DVLA.
Theory test
Once you’ve got your provisional licence you can apply whenever you want, but your driving instructor will let you know when they think you’re ready for the theory test. They should have all the application forms, however you can apply online on the DSA website or call 0870 0101 372.
Lessons
It's best to take lessons with a qualified instructor who follows the recommended syllabus for learning to drive. Have a look at the ‘driver logbook’, produced by the DSA, as it’ll show you how you’re getting on in each of the required topics.
Have your lessons at different times so you’ll experience different driving conditions. This will help increase your confidence the more you drive.
Doing extra practice really improves your driving and means you won't need as many lessons. If you want to do extra practice make sure you meet these rules:
An accompanying driver must:- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Have held a full EC/EEA driving licence for at least 3 years for the type of vehicle being driven.
- Remember the person you're with will have picked up a few bad habits along the way.
The car you intend to use must be:
- Insured for the learner.
- Fitted with L plates (D plates in Wales) to both the front and rear of the car.
- In a safe and roadworthy condition.
Practicle test
Your instructor will let you know when you're ready to sit your practical driving test. The way to apply is similar to the theory test.
You can apply by calling 0870-0101-372. Remember to make sure you've got your driver number and method of payment to hand.
You can also apply by post by using an application form available from your driving instructor or local driving test centre. You can also download the form from the driving tests section of the DSA website.
You normally take your test between Monday and Friday. If you want to sit your test on Saturday it costs more.
If you would like more detailed information on learning to drive, why not visit www.getinlane.co.uk