Before you can learn to drive a car, moped or motorcycle you must apply for a provisional driving license. If you already hold a valid full driving license 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 license for a car, moped or motorcycle using the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) secure and easy to use online service.

Apply in person or by post

You can apply for your provisional driving license 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 license photograph and the fee of £38.00. Send your completed application and payment to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD or you may be able to use the premium checking service.

DVLA aim to deliver your driving license to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It might take longer if we have to check on your health or personal details. You will need to wait for your new license to arrive before driving. Please allow at least three weeks for your license to arrive before contacting DVLA.

Applying for provisional entitlement for larger vehicles, minibuses and buses

If you currently hold a valid full paper license 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.

It is also necessary to return original documentation confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and your current paper driving license. 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.

If you hold a valid full license driving license and want to apply for a provisional driving license 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 license (with the D740 paper counterpart) to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR.

DVLA aims to deliver your driving license to you within three weeks or receiving your application. It might take longer if we have to check on your health or personal details. You will need to wait for your new license to arrive before driving. Please allow at least three weeks for your license to arrive before contacting DVLA.

Plastic wallets

Please note that DVLA no longer issues plastic wallets with photocard driving licenses. This decision was taken primarily to help minimise the costs of issuing licenses 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 license. Old plastic wallets sent in to the agency cannot be returned.

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 the DVLA if you have convictions for breaking rules about your driving conduct and any other convictions not relating to driving.