Apply for a provisional driving licence online

Before you learn to drive, you must apply for a provisional driving licence.

Before you start

You can’t use this service if you already hold a valid full driving licence and want to add a provisional entitlement to your existing licence. For that, you need to fill in a driving licence application form. DL1 and DL2 forms are available in Post Offices.

To apply online for a provisional driving licence you’ll need:

a nidirect account and had your identity verified, for more details see: Identity assurance. If you already have an account, for example if you created one for a Covid certificate or other government service, or you need to create an account, you can log in to the service using the green button below
a digital photo or photo code – see rules for digital photos before applying
to upload your identity document – see rules for providing proof of identity before applying
to upload your signature – download and print the pro forma document when you're applying. If you can’t print, draw a box on plain paper and follow the instructions
certifier details – you'll need to give the email address of an authorised person who can certify your photo. They need to know they've been nominated before your application is submitted – see rules for who can sign your photo before applying
a credit or debit card

Apply for a provisional driving licence online

Apply by post

You can also apply for your provisional licence by post, by filling in and returning a driving licence application form (DL1) – this form is available from Post Offices. For more information see: Applying for a provisional driving licence

Linking your driving licence

Once you have received your provisional driving licence you can link your licence to your nidirect account to view your licence information online and/ or share your licence information. You will also receive updates on your application, such as when it has been processed.

Instructions on how to link your driving licence

You can find out how any personal information you send to the Department for Infrastructure (Driver & Vehicle Agency) when using this service will be handled by viewing its privacy notice.

For queries

For queries about applying for a provisional driving licence online, contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) driver licensing at the link below:

Driver & Vehicle Agency - driver licensing

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Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

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If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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For queries about:

Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

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Extra comments (optional)

Apply for a provisional driving licence online

Before you start

Apply by post

Linking your driving licence

For queries

Translation help

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment