How To Get My License
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How To Get My License

Step 1 

Applying For a Provisional Driving Licence
A provisional licence is crucial if you want to learn how to drive, without one you are unable to begin learning to drive. So to start your process to getting a full UK driving licence you need to apply for a provisional driving licence.

When can I apply?

You can apply for your provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years nine months old. However that doesn’t mean you can drive a car from then, by law you must be 17 years old before you can drive a car with a provisional licence. Even then you must be under supervision.

How to apply

When it comes to applying for a provisional licence there are two options, apply by post or online. However there are two different costs for these options. Applying online is by far the cheapest option available, costing you £34 payable via credit or debit card. Alternatively if you would rather apply by post it will cost you £43, payable via cheque or postal order.

Applying online

Applying online is the cheapest and fastest way to apply for your provisional licence, and the method we would recommend. If you opt to apply online you will need a valid UK passport which is no more than five years old.
To apply for your provisional licence online you will need
A form of identity, for example a passport
Address of where you have lived for the past three years. If you have lived at your current address for less than three years then you will need to provide your previous addresses to cover this three year period
Your National Insurance Number, you can find this on your National Insurance card, payslips or correspondence from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Card details at the ready for the £34 application fee

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence


Applying by post

If you’re applying for your provisional driving licence by post you will need to complete the D1 provisional application form – which you can pick up from selected Post Office branches or online from the DVLA form ordering service. Complete the form and send to the below address, along with the required documentation:

For all documents from the UK: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AD
For documents outside of the UK: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AF
To apply for your provisional licence by post you will need
  • A form of identity, for example a passport
  • A colour passport photograph, check out the rules for photos here
  • A cheque or postal order for the £43 application fee made payable to DVLA – you must pay by cheque or postal order when applying via post, applications made with cash will not be processed
It generally takes around two weeks for your DVLA licence to arrive in the post. Once you’ve received your licence you’re free to begin driving lessons with a reputable, registered driving instructor or with someone aged 21 years or over who has held their full UK driving licence for at least three years.



Step 2 

Book Your Practical Driving Lessons

With your provisional driving licence in hand you’ll need to book your driving lessons next. Booking your driving lessons is a very easy and straightforward process. All you need to do is contact us in whichever way suits you best and we would be happy to talk you through the whole process and how it all works.

Step 3 

Book Your Theory Test

Before you can take your practical driving test you must first pass your theory test.
This is a test which assesses your knowledge of the Highway Code and your reaction to hazards which you might encounter whilst driving. The test is split into two parts, multiple choice questions and a hazard perception test, and is mandatory for all learner drivers.

https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test

Practising for your theory

There are many resources available to you now to help prepare for your theory test. We recommend practising using ‘The Complete Theory Test’ DVD or a choice of a number of Apps available (eg. Theory 4 in 1). You can sit an unlimited number of mock theory tests against the clock, whilst the hazard perception practice test allows you to practice with hundreds of interactive video clips.
We recommend booking your theory test in as early as possible, as there is usually a waiting list of at least two weeks. This also gives you a real deadline date to work towards. Keep practising and when you’re at a point where you are regularly passing both parts of the theory test you are ready to sit the real deal.


Step 4 

Book Your Driving Test

With your theory test out of the way you are free to focus on the final step – passing your practical driving test, when you will be able to swap your green provisional licence to a red full UK driving licence. Your driving instructor will tell you when they think you are ready to book your driving test, which you can do either by telephone or online.
There is usually a waiting time between two weeks and 12 weeks for your practical driving test. The test costs £62 if you book it on a weekday and £75 on a weekend.

https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test

Once your driving test is booked your instructor may decide to take you through mock tests to help prepare and calm your nerves.
On the day of your driving test you must take the following:

  • Your provisional driving licence, if you pass your test they will take your provisional licence and arrange for a full driving licence to be sent to you
  • A car – most people use their driving instructor’s, but you can use your own car if it meets the rules
  • Your theory test certificate

Find Your Local Theory or Driving Test Centre Plus driving test waiting times. Find Your Local Theory / Driving Test Centre Online.

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