— Learning to drive, step one

Get your
provisional licence

Your provisional licence is the green photocard that allows you to start taking driving lessons and book your theory test. You can apply online through GOV.UK for £34. The application takes around 15 minutes, and your licence should arrive within about a week.

Apply on GOV.UK ➔

Check you are ready first

— STEP-BY-STEP

How to apply for a provisional driving licence

You can apply for your first UK provisional driving licence online at GOV.UK for £34. The process takes about 15 minutes, and you’ll receive your licence in approximately a week. Here are six steps to apply:

Gather your documents

You'll need a valid identity document (like a current UK passport), your addresses from the past three years, and your National Insurance number if available.
Go to GOV.UK

Start your application on the official GOV.UK provisional licence page, the only authorized site. Avoid sites that charge "checking" or "handling" fees, as they act as unnecessary middlemen.
Complete the form

The online form takes about 15 minutes. Check all details carefully, as ID mismatches are a common cause of application delays.
Confirm your identity

Enter your UK passport’s 9-digit number. The DVLA uses your passport photo, so you don’t need a new one. If you don’t have a passport, you can send an accepted ID by post, and it will be returned.
Pay the £34 fee

Pay by debit or credit card. Applying online is £9 cheaper than the £43 postal application, and it is processed more quickly as well.
Wait about a week

Your green photocard typically arrives by post within a week. You can track it on GOV.UK using the "view driving licence information" service once issued.