Before you can learn to drive a car, moped or motorcycle you must apply for a provisional driving licence. If you already hold a valid full driving licence and want to learn to drive larger vehicles, minibuses or buses you will need to apply for provisional entitlement for these vehicles.

Apply online
You can apply for your first provisional driving licence for a car, moped or motorcycle using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) secure and easy to use online service.

Apply online for a first provisional driving licence

Apply in person or by post
You can apply for your provisional driving licence by completing the D1 application form that is available from the DVLA form ordering service or Post Office® branches. You will also need to enclose original documentation confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and the fee of £45.00. Send your completed application and payment to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD or you may be able to use the premium checking service.

DVLA form ordering service
Identity documents and photograph criteria
Premium checking service

Applying for provisional entitlement for larger vehicles, minibuses and buses
If you currently hold a valid full paper licence and want to add provisional entitlement to drive larger vehicles, minibuses and buses you must complete the application form D2 and the medical report form D4. These are available from the DVLA form ordering service. The D4 has to be completed by a doctor and you should ensure that all the relevant questions are completed. The doctor will normally charge you for completing the report and those registered for VAT are also required to charge an additional 17.5 per cent on top of their fee.

It is also necessary to return original documentation confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and your current paper driving licence. There is no fee required for the application. The address to send this information is DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR or you may be able to use the premium checking service.

DVLA form ordering service
Identity documents and photograph criteria
Premium checking service

If you hold a valid full photocard driving licence and want to apply for a provisional driving licence to drive larger vehicles, minibuses and buses all that is needed is the completion of the application form D2 and the medical report form D4. You must also enclose your photocard driving licence (with the D740 paper counterpart) to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR.

When to expect your licence
DVLA aims to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It will take longer if your health or personal details have to be checked.

When your licence is issued it will now have a number of added security features. One of the main differences being a laser engraved black and white photograph.

New photocard driving licence
You will need to wait for your new licence to arrive before driving. Please allow at least three weeks for your licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.

Plastic wallets
Please note that DVLA no longer issues plastic wallets with photocard driving licences. This decision was taken primarily to help minimise the costs of issuing licences to the public. The agency has also received numerous complaints from members of the public about the size of the plastic wallet. Consequently many drivers discard the wallet and use a different way of protecting their licence. Old plastic wallets sent in to the agency cannot be returned.

Further information
Information on what vehicles you can drive and how old you must be to drive them can be found on the link below.

Vehicles you can drive and how old you must be to drive them

You must tell the DVLA if you have ever had, or currently suffer from, a medical condition that may affect your driving.

Medical rules for all drivers
You must tell DVLA if you have convictions relating to drivers hours, roadworthiness or loading and if applying for a minibus or bus licence any other convictions not relating to driving.

Your driving conduct for larger vehicles, minibuses or buses