What is a provisional licence
A provisional license is a temporary driver’s licence given to people who are still learning how to
- You need to have someone with you who already has a full driving license, and they need to be over a certain age and have a few years of driving experience. This ensures that you always have someone to guide you while you’re learning.
- You are not be allowed to drive on the motorways.
- You will have to put “L” plates (for “Learner”) on the car so that other drivers know you’re still in training.
In the UK, a provisional driving licence costs £34 if you apply online through the official GOV.UK website. If you apply by post, the cost is £43.
A provisional licence is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. During this time, you can practice driving and prepare for your tests. Once you pass both the theory and practical driving tests, you can upgrade to a full driving licence.
Why you need a provisional licence
A provisional licence is a legal requirement before you can start driving lessons or practice driving on the road. It acts as your learner’s permit, giving you official permission to drive while being supervised by an instructor or a qualified driver.
Whether you plan to learn in a manual or automatic car, a provisional licence is essential. It covers both vehicle types, allowing you the flexibility to choose what works best for your learning style. Without this licence, you won’t be able to book lessons, take your driving theory test, or practice driving on public roads. The provisional licence is your gateway to becoming a fully qualified driver.
How to apply for a provisional licence
You can apply for a provisional driving licence online or at your local post office. To apply online, visit the GOV UK website. If you’d rather apply in person, you can fill out a D1 application form, available at the post office.
Unlike when you obtain your full driving licence, your provisional driving licence will be generic and cover learning in both Manual or Automatic vehicles.
To apply for your provisional driving licence, you need to:
- Be at least 15 years and 9 months old, but you cannot start driving on the road until you turn 17.
- Have a valid proof of identity
- Live in the UK
- Give all addresses where you’ve lived over the last three years
- Be able to read a new-style number plate from 20 metres or an old-style number plate from 20.5 metres
- Not be prevented from driving for any reason
- Be able to pay £34 by debit or credit card
Remember – you will need your new licence to arrive before driving and will have to give your Instructor a DVSA code which proves your entitlement to drive. For more details click here:
Start your driving journey with FDT
Once you have your provisional licence, there’s no better time to get behind the wheel and begin your driving journey with RED Driver Training.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or need help building confidence, our structured lessons are tailored to your pace and abilities. You’ll not only learn to pass your driving test but also gain the skills and confidence needed for a lifetime of safe driving. Start today and take the first step toward independence!
Getting your full driving licence
Once you’ve passed your practical driving test, you can apply for a full driving licence and get out on the road! Get in touch with the DVLA to swap your test pass certificate and provisional driving licence for a full licence as soon as possible.
When you obtain your full driving licence, it will be marked with codes to indicate whether you can drive both manual & automatic vehicles, or just automatic. This will be dependent on whether you took a manual or automatic test.
If you learnt in an automatic and took the automatic test, then your driving licence will be marked with the 78 code which indicates that you are ‘restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission’.
FAQs
You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old, but you cannot start driving on the road until you turn 17.
Yes, a provisional licence covers both manual and automatic vehicles, allowing you to choose the type of vehicle you want to learn in.
You will need a valid proof of identity, such as a passport, a return address covering the last three years, and a debit or credit card to pay the application fee.
Once you apply for your provisional licence, it typically takes about 1 to 3 weeks to arrive by mail, depending on whether you apply online or by post.
No, you must wait until you receive your provisional licence before you can legally drive on the road. You'll also need to ensure you are supervised by an instructor or qualified driver.
