Steps to Getting Your License in the UK
The process to get your licence in the UK varies according to your particular circumstances. For example, if you have never driven before, your path to getting a licence will be different than someone than someone moving to the UK who has a licence in another country. Particularities of each path also vary between the group of England, Wales and Scotland and between Northern Ireland. Knowing the rules and proper forms to submit before you try to apply for a licence will save you time and effort. More information on applying for all types of licences can be found on the Directgov website. It is important to check with the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency for the most current and detailed information on the particular type of licence you want to get.
A provisional licence is a licence for those who have never had a licence before. Before you can get a full driving licence, you must first prove that you have mastered the skill of driving. If you want to drive a motorcycle or motorbike, you must first complete a driving education course for this type of vehicle. You will have to pass a driving test for any type of full license you get. If you meet the following requirements, you can get a provisional licence online with the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency or the DVLANI in Northern Ireland:
-are of at least the minimum required age for the vehicle you want to drive
-are a resident of Great Britain
-meet the minimum eyesight requirement
-have no reason why you can’t drive now
-can pay £50.00 for the licence online
-have a current UK passport or another form of ID
-can give the addresses of where you have lived in the past three years.
-have not possessed a provisional licence in the past.
If you don’t want to apply online or you are ineligible to, you can send in an application for a provisional licence by post. Request the D1 application, which you can get from the DVLA form ordering service or from post offices. Send original identity, passport-like photograph and £50.00 with your finished application. You can get a full driving licence if you have passed a UK driving test in the past two years.
Provisional Entitlements
You can drive larger vehicles like minibuses and buses if you have a full paper licence. Complete the D2 application and the D4 medical report, which are available from the DVLA form ordering service. Take the D4 form to a doctor to complete. The doctor typically charges you to complete the report. Enclose original identity documents, a passport-like photo and your valid driving licence with your application and post it. No fee applies to adding entitlements to your licence.
Licence in Another Country
If you have a licence from another country, you will take one of a few paths to getting your British driving licence. If you are from a European Economic Area country, you can use your country’s licence in most cases to drive in the UK. Your licence entitles you to drive a car until you are 70 years of age or for three years from the date you become a resident. If you have a different licence, such as one that entitles you to drive a bus or minibus, the regulations differ. Contact the DVLA for more information.
You also have the choice to get a GB or Northern Ireland license by turning in your old license from your country. Submit form D1 in Great Britain or DL1 in Northern Ireland, which you can get at post offices or community licensing offices in Northern Ireland. Submit your licence with the application form. A fee applies to this service.
Other Countries
Should you possess a valid, full licence issued outside the EEA, you can drive in the UK for twelve months. Should you plan to be a UK resident after twelve months, you can turn in your licence for a full Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence if your license is from certain countries, such as Switzerland and Zimbabwe. Contact the DVLA for the full list of countries.
If you don’t get a GB/NI licence before the end of 12 months, you can’t drive. You have five years following the date when you last entered the UK during which you can get a GB/NI licence and begin to drive. You must obtain a provisional licence in the usual manner if you don’t exchange your licence during this time period.
You must pass a UK driving exam to get a full GB licence if you have a driving licence from a country other than those previously listed if you want to drive after your first twelve month period in the UK. You must get a GB provisional driving licence before you reserve an appointment to take a driving exam.
When to Expect Your Licence
You should receive your driving licence within three weeks of submitting your application. Should your personal details or health need to be checked, it may take longer. If you don’t receive your licence within three weeks, contact the DVLA to check the status of your application.
Ages to Drive
Depending on the type of vehicle you want to drive, the minimum age to get a licence will vary. Typically, the age at which you can begin driving is 16. The larger and heavier the vehicle you want to drive becomes, the older you must be to get your licence. Minimum ages for driving various vehicles are typically 16, 17, 18 and 21 in the UK. For example, if you want to drive a moped with a maximum engine size of 50 cc and a top speed of 50 km/h, you only need to be 16. If you want to drive a light motorcycle with a maximum engine size of up to 125 cc and a power output of 11kW, you must be 17. In some cases, you can drive heavier vehicles at age 17 if you are a member of the British Armed Forces. If you are part of the young driver program from the Skills for Logistics, you can get a full driving licence for large vehicles at age 18 instead of 21.
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