What a provisional licence is and who needs one

A provisional driving licence is a document that lets you learn to drive on UK roads before you take your practical test. It is not a full licence — you cannot drive alone, and you must display L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) on your vehicle. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) issues it, and it is the only legal way to practise driving as a learner in the UK.

You need a provisional licence if you have never held a full UK driving licence, or if your full licence has expired and you want to learn again. If you already hold a valid full licence for a different vehicle category (for example, you have a car licence but want to learn to ride a motorcycle), you do not need a provisional — you can move straight to taking a test for the new category.

The provisional licence itself is valid for three years from the date DVLA issues it. During that time, you can take your theory test and practical test as many times as you need. If three years pass without you passing your practical test, your provisional expires and you must request a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • You must hold a valid provisional licence before you can legally learn to drive on UK roads, and it takes one to two weeks to arrive by post after you request it.
  • The DVLA will refuse to issue a provisional licence if you have certain medical conditions or if your eyesight does not meet the legal standard — you may need to declare conditions or provide a medical report.
  • While learning, you must display L-plates or D-plates, stay under the speed limit for the vehicle type, and always have a may have access to supervising driver in the front passenger seat.
  • Your provisional licence expires three years after issue, so you must pass your practical test before that date or request a replacement and start the waiting period again.
  • You can check the DVLA's medical conditions guidance before you request a licence to understand whether you need to declare anything or provide evidence.

How to request a provisional licence from the DVLA

You request a provisional licence by post using form DVLA1, which you can read from the DVLA website or request by phone. The form asks for your personal details, your National Insurance number, and your passport number or UK birth certificate number. You will also need to declare any medical conditions that might affect your driving, even if you think they are not serious — the DVLA has a long list of conditions that require declaration, and failing to mention one can invalidate your licence later.

Send the completed form, a colour passport-style photograph, and a copy of your identity document (passport or photocard driving licence) to the DVLA address shown on the form. The DVLA does not accept online requests for a first provisional licence, only by post. Processing takes one to two weeks in normal circumstances, though it can take longer if DVLA needs to contact your GP or optician to verify medical or vision information.

The cost is £43 for a three-year provisional licence (as of 2024, though this may change). You pay by cheque or postal order made out to DVLA, included with your process. Do not send cash.

Medical conditions and eyesight requirements

The DVLA will not issue a provisional licence if your eyesight does not meet the legal standard. You must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away while wearing glasses or contact lenses if you normally use them. If you cannot meet this standard, DVLA will refuse your process and you cannot drive.

Many medical conditions require you to declare them on your process, even if they seem minor. These include epilepsy, diabetes managed by medication, heart conditions, mental health conditions, sleep disorders, and neurological conditions. The DVLA publishes a full list on its website under "Medical conditions and driving". If you are unsure whether your condition needs declaring, check that list before you send your form — declaring something that does not need declaring causes no harm, but failing to declare something that does can result in your licence being revoked.

If you declare a condition, DVLA may ask your GP for a medical report. This takes extra time and you may be asked to pay a fee to your GP for providing the report (usually £20 to £50). DVLA will tell you if this is needed. In some cases, DVLA may issue your licence with restrictions — for example, you might be required to have an automatic transmission vehicle, or to wear a medical alert bracelet.

What you must do while learning to drive

Once your provisional licence arrives, you are legally allowed to drive on public roads, but only under strict conditions. You must display either an L-plate (in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) or a D-plate (in Wales) on the front and back of the vehicle. These are cheap and available from supermarkets, petrol stations, and online retailers. You must also have a may have access to supervising driver in the front passenger seat at all times — this person must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid full driving licence for the category of vehicle you are learning in.

You must obey all speed limits that explore to the vehicle type. As a learner, you are not exempt from speed limits — you must follow the same limits as a full licence holder. You cannot use motorways while learning, and you cannot tow a trailer or caravan. You must also not use a mobile phone while driving, even hands-free, unless it is a sat-nav mounted on the dashboard.

You can take your theory test as soon as you have your provisional licence. You can take your practical test once you have passed your theory test. There is no minimum learning period set by law, though most people find they need several months of regular practice before they are ready for the practical test.

Preparing for your theory and practical tests

Your theory test covers road signs, hazard perception, and the rules of the road. You book it through the DVLA website or by phone, and it takes place at a test centre. The test costs £23 (as of 2024). You must pass the theory test before you can book a practical test.

Your practical test is a 40-minute drive with an examiner, during which you must demonstrate safe driving, control of the vehicle, and knowledge of the rules. It costs £62 to £75 depending on the time of day (evening and weekend tests cost more). You book it through the DVLA website, and there is usually a wait of several weeks depending on demand in your area.

If you fail either test, you can retake it. There is no limit to how many times you can retake a test, but you must pay the fee each time. Your provisional licence remains valid for three years from the date it was issued, so you have that window to pass both tests and get your full licence.

What happens if your provisional licence expires

If three years pass from the date your provisional licence was issued and you have not yet passed your practical test, your provisional licence expires automatically. You cannot drive on it after that date, even if you are in the middle of learning. You must request a new provisional licence and wait another one to two weeks for it to arrive before you can continue learning.

When you request a replacement provisional, you go through the same process as before — you send form DVLA1, a new photograph, and your identity document. You pay the fee again. The new licence will be valid for another three years from the date it is issued. There is no penalty for letting your provisional expire, but it does mean a delay in your learning.

If you have passed your theory test but not your practical test by the time your provisional expires, you do not need to retake your theory test when you get a new provisional — your theory test pass remains valid for two years from the date you passed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive alone on a provisional licence?

No. You must have a may have access to supervising driver in the front passenger seat at all times. A may have access to driver is someone aged 21 or over who holds a valid full driving licence for the category of vehicle you are learning in. Driving alone on a provisional licence is illegal and can result in a fine and points on your licence.

What if I have a medical condition — will I definitely be refused?

Not necessarily. Many conditions can be managed and DVLA will issue a licence with or without restrictions. You must declare the condition on your form and DVLA will assess it. Some conditions do result in refusal, but others result in a licence with conditions attached — for example, automatic transmission only, or regular medical reviews. Check the DVLA's medical conditions list before you explore.

How long does it take to get a provisional licence?

Processing normally takes one to two weeks from the date DVLA receives your process. If DVLA needs to contact your GP or optician for medical or vision information, it can take longer — sometimes four to six weeks. You cannot drive until your licence arrives, so plan ahead if you want to start learning on a specific date.

Can I use my provisional licence to drive in other countries?

A UK provisional licence is not valid for driving outside the UK. If you want to drive in Europe or elsewhere, you need a full UK driving licence. Some countries may accept an International Driving Permit alongside your provisional, but this does not make the provisional itself valid — you still need a full licence to drive abroad.

What happens if I pass my theory test but not my practical before my provisional expires?

Your theory test pass remains valid for two years from the date you passed it, even if your provisional licence expires. When you get a new provisional licence, you can use your existing theory test pass to book a practical test — you do not need to retake the theory test. However, you cannot drive while your provisional is expired, so you will have a gap in your learning.