paper application dvla

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Apply for your first provisional driving licence

Get your first provisional driving licence for a car, motorbike, moped or other vehicle from DVLA online. To apply you must:

• be at least 15 years and 9 months old
• be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away
• have been given permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days

It costs £34 when you apply online.

If you applied for a provisional licence before 1 March 1973 you’ll need to use this service to get a new licence.

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) .

Before you start

You’ll need:

• an identity document , such as your passport
• addresses where you’ve lived for up to the last 3 years

You might be asked for additional information, such as your National Insurance number if you know it.

You’ll get a confirmation email from DVLA after you’ve applied.

Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online. It may take longer if DVLA need to make additional checks.

It costs £34 to apply online. You can pay by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

When you can drive with a provisional licence

There are different rules depending on your age and the type of vehicle. Check what vehicles you can drive and when before you start to learn.

If you already have a provisional licence

If you already have a provisional licence you can:

• renew your provisional licence
• replace your provisional licence if it’s lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
• reapply for your provisional licence if you’ve been disqualified
• change the address on your provisional licence

Apply by post

Complete form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’, available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices.

Send your application to the address on the form, along with a cheque or postal order for £43.

Part of Learn to drive a car: step by step

Step 1 : check you're allowed to drive.

Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17.

• Check what age you can drive
• Requirements for driving legally
• Driving eyesight rules

Step 2 : Get a provisional licence

• You are currently viewing: Apply for your first provisional driving licence £34 to £43

Step 3 : Driving lessons and practice

You need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practice.

• The Highway Code
• Taking driving lessons
• Find driving schools, lessons and instructors
• Practise vehicle safety questions

and Prepare for your theory test

• Theory test revision and practice
• Take a practice theory test
• Theory and hazard perception test app

Step 4 : Book and manage your theory test

You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

• Book your theory test £23
• What to take to your test
• Change your theory test appointment
• Check your theory test appointment details
• Cancel your theory test

Step 5 : Book and manage your driving test

You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

• Book your driving test £62 to £75
• Change your driving test appointment
• Check your driving test appointment details
• Cancel your driving test

Step 6 : When you pass

You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test.

You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.

• Find out about Pass Plus training courses

Is this page useful?

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Blog DVLA digital services

https://dvladigital.blog.gov.uk/2021/12/16/top-3-reasons-to-renew-your-driving-licence-online/

Top 3 reasons to renew your driving licence online

[English] - [ Cymraeg ]

Motorists need to renew their photocard driving licence every 10 years. However, according to a recent survey, only 35% of respondents knew that you could renew your driving licence online.

I’ve been a Service Designer on the 'Renew your licence' online service for 2 years and over that time have seen it grow in popularity. Our 'Renew your licence' online service was used over 3.7 million times in 2021 – if you are wondering what’s in it for you then here’s what you need to know.

1. It’s quicker than applying by paper application

The online driving licence renewal service can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on GOV.UK. The user-friendly service has been designed to guide customers through the application and takes only minutes to complete.

Once your online application has been submitted, your new licence should be issued within a week. This is substantially quicker than applying by paper. You will also save money by applying online . There’s a service to renew a photocard driving licence and a service to renew your licence at 70 and over .

2. It’s easy to use our online service

DVLA’s online services have been specifically designed and tested to ensure that each customer’s journey is smooth and hassle-free. Customers are guided through the application through the simple steps and are informed of all the requirements before the application is started.

In a recent survey, when asked to rank how easy or difficult it is to use DVLA’s online services, 94% of respondents answered “easy” to “very easy”, with over 97% of users stating they would use the online services again in the future.

3. GOV.UK is safe and secure

Insight gathered by our Customer Insight team showed that some customers may feel hesitant or less confident transacting online. 20% of customers stated they would prefer to speak to someone which suggests there may be a lack of trust, either in themselves or the service itself. When using the official GOV.UK website, you can be assured that you are using the official DVLA website, and your details are safe and secure.

DVLA regularly remind customers to always look for GOV.UK when searching for our services online to avoid third-party websites which may charge a premium for using their services. The cost of renewing your photocard driving licence online is only £14 so customers are reminded to remain vigilant of other websites which charge more. Renewing your driving licence at age 70+ is free and you will never be charged for this service on GOV.UK .

90% of those who use our online services don’t go back to using paper applications. So, if your driving licence is about to expire, why not give the simple and secure online service a try?

You can also try our other services which are also available online:

• Tell DVLA you’ve bought, sold or transferred a vehicle
• Renew driving licence at 70
• Tax your vehicle
• Order a duplicate V5C

Follow DVLA on Twitter ,  follow us on Facebook  and  connect with us on LinkedIn . You can also  subscribe to our Inside DVLA blog .

[ English ] - [Cymraeg]

Y 3 rheswm pennaf i adnewyddu’ch trwydded yrru ar-lein

Mae angen i fodurwyr adnewyddu eu trwydded yrru cerdyn-llun pob 10 mlynedd. Fodd bynnag, yn ôl arolwg diweddar, dim ond 35% o ymatebwyr oedd yn gwybod y gallech adnewyddu’ch trwydded yrru ar-lein.

Rwyf wedi bod yn Ddylunydd Gwasanaeth ar y gwasanaeth ‘Adnewyddu eich trwydded’ ar-lein am 2 flynedd a dros y cyfnod hwnnw rwyf wedi ei weld yn tyfu mewn poblogrwydd. Cafodd ein gwasanaeth ‘Adnewyddu eich trwydded' ar-lein ei ddefnyddio dros 3.7 miliwn o weithiau yn 2021 – os ydych yn dyfalu beth mae’n ei olygu ichi yna dyma’r hyn sydd angen ichi ei wybod.

1. Mae’n gyflymach na gwneud cais ar bapur

Mae’r gwasanaeth adnewyddu trwydded yrru ar-lein yn gallu cael ei gyrchu 24 awr y dydd, 7 diwrnod yr wythnos ar GOV.UK. Mae’r gwasanaeth hawdd ei ddefnyddio wedi cael ei ddylunio i arwain cwsmeriaid drwy’r cais ac mae’n cymryd munudau yn unig i’w gwblhau.

Cyn gynted ag y bydd eich cais ar-lein wedi cael ei gyflwyno, dylai’ch trwydded newydd gael ei gyhoeddi o fewn wythnos. Mae hyn yn sylweddol gyflymach na gwneud cais ar bapur. Byddwch hefyd yn  arbed arian drwy wneud cais ar-lein . Mae gwasanaeth i  adnewyddu trwydded yrru cerdyn-llun  a gwasanaeth i  adnewyddu eich trwydded yn 70 oed a throsodd .

2. Mae’n hawdd i ddefnyddio’n gwasanaeth ar-lein

Mae gwasanaethau ar-lein DVLA wedi cael eu  dylunio a’u profi’n benodol  i sicrhau bod taith pob cwsmer yn llyfn ac yn ddidrafferth. Mae cwsmeriaid yn cael eu harwain drwy’r cais drwy’r camau syml ac maen nhw’n cael gwybod am yr holl ofynion cyn i’r cais gael ei ddechrau.

Mewn arolwg diweddar, pan ofynnwyd i osod mewn trefn pa mor hawdd neu anodd y mae i ddefnyddio gwasanaethau DVLA ar-lein, atebodd 94% o ymatebwyr “hawdd” i “hawdd iawn”, a thros 97% o ddefnyddwyr yn dweud y byddent yn defnyddio’r gwasanaethau ar-lein eto yn y dyfodol.

3. Mae GOV.UK yn ddiogel ac yn sicr

Dangosodd mewnwelediad a gasglwyd gan ein tîm Mewnwelediad Cwsmeriaid fod rhai cwsmeriaid yn gallu teimlo’n betrusgar neu’n llai hyderus yn cynnal trafodion ar-lein. Dywedodd 20% o gwsmeriaid y byddai’n well ganddynt siarad â rhywun sy’n awgrymu y gall fod diffyg ymddiriedaeth, naill ai ynddynt eu hunain neu’r gwasanaeth ei hun. Wrth ddefnyddio’r wefan swyddogol GOV.UK, gallwch fod yn sicr eich bod yn defnyddio gwefan swyddogol y DVLA, a bod eich manylion yn ddiogel ac yn sicr.

Mae DVLA yn atgoffa cwsmeriaid yn rheolaidd i gadw golwg am GOV.UK wrth chwilio am ein gwasanaethau ar-lein  i osgoi gwefannau trydydd parti sy’n gallu codi premiwm am ddefnyddio’u gwasanaethau. Mae cost adnewyddu eich trwydded yrru cerdyn-llun yn £14 yn unig felly atgoffir cwsmeriaid i barhau’n wyliadwrus o wefannau eraill sy’n codi tâl uwch. Mae adnewyddu’ch trwydded yrru yn 70+ oed am ddim ac  ni fydd tâl yn cael ei godi arnoch byth am y gwasanaeth hwn ar GOV.UK .

Nid yw 90% o’r rheini sy’n defnyddio’n gwasanaethau ar-lein yn mynd yn ôl at ddefnyddio ceisiadau ar bapur Felly, os yw’ch trwydded yrru ar fin dod i ben, pam na roddwch gynnig ar y gwasanaeth syml a diogel ar-lein?

Gallwch roi cynnig hefyd ar ein gwasanaethau eraill sydd hefyd ar gael ar-lein:

• Dywedwch wrth DVLA eich bod wedi prynu, gwerthu neu drosglwyddo cerbyd
• Adnewyddu trwydded yrru yn 70
• Trethu eich cerbyd
• Archebu V5CW ddyblyg

Dilynwch DVLA ar Twitter ,  dilynwch ni ar Facebook  a  chysylltwch â ni ar LinkedIn . Hefyd gallwch  danysgrifio i’n blog Inside DVLA .

Sharing and comments

Share this page, 16 comments.

Comment by Garrick Powell posted on 16 December 2021

Very informative that’s the way I will renew in future.

Comment by Leslie jones posted on 16 December 2021

It's a better quicker cheaper way to apply & secure your details on line at your own convenient time.

Comment by Barry Percy posted on 16 December 2021

Yes I agree. Grateful for the DVLA system.

Comment by RANVIR SINGH posted on 16 December 2021

Very i formative...

Comment by Lloyd Mason posted on 16 December 2021

I used the online service and found it very easy, will definitely use it again in the future.

Comment by C Marsay posted on 16 December 2021

I just wish registration of a new vehicle was as easy

Comment by Riz posted on 16 December 2021

Thanks Rachel for this, nice and easy just the way it should be from a user experience perspective! Good job

Comment by Mr Tony Wimble posted on 16 December 2021

Renewed my licence, 70+ in September 2020 it was so simple and quick. Recommend any one to use the Gov website to renew.

Comment by John Wade posted on 16 December 2021

I've been using it for a while, it's so easy. Great for taxing the car as well.

Comment by Mike Howkins posted on 16 December 2021

The system was easy and friendly to use when I renewed when I was 73 years old

Comment by Peter Naylor posted on 16 December 2021

I have used this service for a few years and it has continued to improve. It is safe secure and costs nothing to use.

Comment by Pat Bradley posted on 17 December 2021

Reached the mile stone for a new licence recently and did it on line, did nesessary on the Wednesday on line abd my new licence dropped on the door mat on the following Saturday…….AMAZING SERVICE!! Thank you.

Comment by Victor Mullins posted on 19 December 2021

Over 70 At what point in time before my current licence expires can I renew it ? Appreciate a response.

Comment by External Communications posted on 10 January 2022

Hello Victor You can renew your driving licence at 70 - if you are 70 in the next 90 days. https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70 External Communications

Comment by Maureen Flawn posted on 19 December 2021

It is fine telling folk to renew on line but if you do not have a passport you can't. When my bus pass expires it is renewed using the photo on the current one. Why can't DVLA do the same? I had to have a passport photo taken when I renewed so I feel that this should be used for the next three renewals (10 years) as that is the length of time a passport lasts.

Comment by Nicholas Michael posted on 27 December 2021

This really helped me find what I needed and you’re fit, excellent service

Related content and links

About the dvla digital services blog.

Keep up to speed on all things digital at DVLA. More about this blog .

Sign up and manage updates

Heard about the inside dvla blog.

Keep up to date with general news from DVLA. Read more .

Comments and moderation

DVLA update on current processing times for driving licences and log books

The DVLA is still experiencing delays with paper applications

• 17:24, 3 MAY 2022

Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox

We have more newsletters

The DVLA has issued another update on how long people will be expected to wait for new paper driving licences and logbooks. They are still experiencing some delays with paper applications following the impact of Covid.

The DVLA's government website says: "We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and our staff are working hard to reduce waiting times. There may be additional delays in processing more complex cases, for example, if medical investigations are needed as part of your driving licence application."

Read more: Law that's 200 years old could see £1,000 fine issued for car park change mistake

If you applied for your new licence online then your application will already be in the application process since there are no delays with online transactions. In fact, the DVLA encourages using online services to minimise delays with applications.

By using this service, you can expect your driving licence to be issued within five days.

Updated processing dates for paper applications

The below refer to the dates the DVLA claims it is currently working on for different types of paper applications:

• Renew a driving licence with a new photo - 6 April 2022
• Apply for a first provisional driving licence with UK identity - 5 April 2022
• Renew a driving licence if you’re 70 or over or after disqualification or revocation - 25 April 2022
• Apply for a first vocational driving licence - 27 April 2022
• Renew a vocational driving licence - 27 April 2022
• Apply for a driving licence with non-UK identity - 5 April 2022
• Apply for or renew a tachograph card - 26 April 2022
• Apply to change your name or address on your driving licence - 12 April 2022
• Tell DVLA about the sale of a vehicle - 26 April 2022
• Vehicle registration certificate (V5C) changes - 25 April 2022*
• Apply for a replacement V5C log book - 20 April 2022*
• Register a vehicle for the first time (including previously used and imports) - 14 April 2022
• Retain or assign a vehicle registration number - 25 April 2022
• Most Recent

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

‘The service is appalling’: drivers face holdups as DVLA fails to send licences

Readers say their lives have been put on hold because of delays at the government agency

D iane Black-Ware is getting desperate. She was due to receive her new driving licence in January, and its non-arrival has left her spending £50 a day on taxis to get to her job in a rural caravan park. Since the start of the year, her taxed and insured car has been left unused at her Penrith home.

“If DVLA doesn’t send me my licence soon I’m going to have to give up my job as I can’t go on like this,” she says. “I’m so desperate that I called them 97 times in a single day last week and was still unable to get through. It is inexcusable how DVLA are treating people.”

Martin Ryan, from Lincoln, fears that his house purchase is going to fall through because the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has had his passport for the past six weeks. He desperately needs it back to be able to prove his identity to his solicitor and mortgage firm to enable the purchase to go though.

“I have tried every day for the last three weeks to contact them by phone and only get a message saying ‘try later’ or use the nonexistent online chat service. I only needed to change the address on the licence but my passport has effectively been confiscated by DVLA and there’s absolutely nothing I can seemingly do about it. The level of service is appalling,” he says.

This week, workers at the DLVA’s Swansea headquarters staged a round of strike action over Covid-related safety after previous walkouts in April and May.

While the dispute goes on, those waiting for vital driving licence renewals and other vehicle registration services are calling on government ministers to intervene. In some cases, people’s lives have been put on hold by the failure of the DVLA to process basic licence changes.

Long delays at the Swansea HQ are particularly affecting those who had their licences suspended for medical or other reasons but have since been cleared by their doctor to resume driving. These include professional truck and coach drivers.

Several 70-year-olds waiting for routine licence renewals say they have given up driving, fearing they could be fined if they are stopped and unable to produce a valid driving document.

Over-17s applying for provisional licences are reporting waiting months – in some cases more than six months, while address changes are proving a nightmare, say Guardian readers, whose complaints have poured into Money this week.

In the latest problem to hit the agency, the DVLA admitted in a letter sent to a reader that a “technical issue” means owners of some camper vans are currently unable to retax them using its website, phone assistance, or even if the owner visits the post office.

Anyone unable to tax their vehicle is not allowed to legally drive it. The DVLA says it is writing to the very small number of affected camper van owners telling them how to proceed.

One disabled driver, newly entitled to a 50% discount on his car tax, told Money he had decided just to renew his licence at the full cost rather than be off the road while he waited for a new application to be processed.

The driving licence renewal problems appear to particularly affect those without a valid passport, or an application that requires manual intervention.

Minor changes to V5 ownership documents to correct mistakes are also taking months, say frustrated vehicle owners.

The fact that no one answers the phone or the online chat service at the DVLA is just adding to the sense of frustration from users.

Karin van Maanen is desperate to visit her elderly mother in the Netherlands but feared she would not be able to go as she sent the DVLA her passport as part of her licence renewal.

Earlier this week she told us: “I can work around not being able to drive abroad. But I do need my passport. My mum is understandably getting distressed that I may not be able to visit. I’m angry, flabbergasted at this level of disservice and at a bit of a loss of what to do.”

Just after she contacted the Guardian her passport arrived, and she is now waiting to see if her licence will arrive in time for her trip.

Elin Mathers, who recently got married and changed her name, is waiting to get her documents back.

“I sent DVLA my old licence, my birth and marriage certificates, and six weeks on I have had nothing back. I cannot change my other personal details, such as banks or mortgage details, without photo ID – which is my driving licence. I have rung over 50 times but you can’t get through,” she says.

On the DVLA’s Facebook page, other licence applicants have described how their passports and biometric ID cards are trapped at the DVLA’s offices. Some of those affected need them to allow them to start new jobs, and are stuck in limbo as a result.

The DVLA’s Facebook page said this week that industrial action would directly affect its services. “Please do not phone to chase up your application during this time,” it said.

The agency was facing similar complaints in August 2020 , even before staff went on strike over their working conditions since the start of the pandemic.

This week, staff walked out from Tuesday to Thursday and the PCS union is warning of months of industrial action unless the dispute is resolved. The union is calling for a reduction in the number of staff expected to work from the office. The DVLA says it has taken measures to ensure the safety of workers and has followed official guidance.

A DVLA spokeswoman says the online operation is unaffected. She says: “There are significant delays in processing paper applications due to ongoing industrial action and social-distancing requirements, which means that we have fewer staff than usual on site at any one time. Paper applications are taking on average around six weeks to process but there may be longer delays for more complicated transactions, for example, if medical investigations are needed as part of a driving licence application.

“It’s disappointing that the Public and Commercial Services Union is choosing to continue with industrial action and targeting services that will have the greatest negative impact on the public, including some of the more vulnerable people in society, as restrictions are starting to ease.”

Huw Merriman, the chair of the Commons transport select committee, says: “When we met the DVLA’s chief executive, Julie Lennard, in January, she made us aware that paper transactions were taking longer but routine online services at the agency were almost running at usual rates. It’s concerning to hear that the DVLA may be failing to meet the routine needs of consumers.

“To check this out, I will be writing to the secretary of state for transport. If there’s a problem, we want to get to the bottom of it.”

Stuck in Swansea – what are the rules?

UK driving licences have an expiry date but as long as you have sent off your renewal to the DVLA – and you have not been told by a medic, optician or the courts to stop driving for any reason , you can continue to get behind the wheel. However, those whose licence was revoked by a court or for medical reasons – but have been told they can resume – can’t drive until it has been physically reissued.

If your passport is stuck in Swansea, you may have to get a replacement if you need to travel soon as there is currently no way to persuade the DVLA to return it. Applications are being strictly dealt with in the order in which they were received, it says.

• Consumer affairs
• Coronavirus
• Trade unions

More on this story

DVLA staff to get payments worth £735 as government seeks to avoid strikes

DVLA bosses and staff clash over Covid safety and HGV licence delays

Minister urges firms to invest in UK-based workers in HGV driver shortage

DVLA officials to be quizzed by MPs over driving licence delays

DVLA delays: call for licence extensions as complaints flood in

On the road to nowhere with DVLA website

DVLA managers 'failed to understand severity' of deadly Covid outbreak

Grant Shapps faces fury over mass Covid outbreak at DVLA

Comments (…), most viewed.