Apply for your first provisional driving licence

    Get your first provisional driving licence for a car, moped or motorcycle 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.

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

    • be a resident of Great Britain – there’s a different service in Northern Ireland
    • meet the minimum age requirement
    • meet the minimum eyesight requirement
    • not be prevented from driving for any reason
    • pay £50 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Maestro or Delta debit or credit card
    • have a valid UK passport or other form of identity
    • have your National Insurance number if known
    • provide addresses where you’ve lived for the last 3 years

    Your licence should arrive within 1 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.

    You can start driving when you’re:

    • 17 if you want to drive a car
    • 16 if you want to ride a moped or light quad bike

    Your licence will say when 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).

    Personal data

    If you apply online you’ll be agreeing that DVLA can check your personal data, including your National Insurance number.

    DVLA will confirm your details with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). If DVLA can’t fully verify your identity, you’ll be told what to do at the end of the application.