Provisional driving licence application

Where to start:

Applying for a UK and NI provisional driving licence

First of all you have to be 15 years and 9 months, if you are considered as disabled, to apply for a provisional licence and can drive a car by the age of 16. If not considered then hard luck you have to wait another year to apply for a provisional licence at the age of 16 and 9 months, and can drive at age of 17.

Get your dvla provisional driving licence if you are from England, Scotland or Wales but if you're in Northern Ireland you need to apply for 'dva' provisional driving licence. Two separate place to obtain it.

In Northern Ireland: Driver Licensing,
DVA,
County Hall,
Castlerock Road,
Coleraine,
BT51 3TB,

You can get DL1 application form from the post office, Local Vehicle Licensing Offices or from DVA by calling 0845 402 4000. Waiting period when I applied again was nearly 2 months. Be prepared to wait for a while. I guess this is the best time to study for your theory test and hazard test. Waiting period could be lesser now.

You need to include in your DL1 application form:

1. Cheque for £45 (cost of provisional driving licence)
   
2. ID photograph which has to be certified by the following people if you are not intending to hand your passport in.
   
   1. An MP
      
   2. A Magistrate
      
   3. A Minister of Religion
      
   4. A professionally qualified person (e.g. engineer, lawyer, teacher etc)
      
   5. A local councillor
      
   6. A bank official
      
   7. An established civil servant
      
   8. Local business person
      
   9. Shopkeeper
      
   10. Librarian
       
   11. A police officer; or
       
   12. Someone of similar standing.
       

None of the above should be a relative or friend but must know of you for last two years. If you are going to hand your passport in to verify your existence, you don't need to have your photograph certified. If you don't have a passport you can send your original birth certificate.

I took my application to my local Vehicle Licensing Offices and they were great. It took them a few minutes to sort everything out. I showed them my passport and gave it straight back to me. I recommend doing it this way as the first I applied they sent the form back because I forgot something. If you apply for it in the office they can check everything for you and they can take your payment there to. If you would like more info here is DVA website.

If you live in England, Scotland and Wales you can go direct online to obtain your application or just apply online and pay with your credit/ debit card. All you need is:

• a valid debit or credit card
  
• UK passport
  
• details of previous addresses
  

Provisional driving licence cost £50. According to DVLA online, it would take 10 days to receive your provisional driving licences once you've submitted it. It was much easier when I applied for mine.

Here's DVLA website application . Post your comment below if you have any questions.