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

You can see guidance notes for filling out the DL1 form online at:

Guidance notes for your DL1 driving licence application

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

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?

report a problem

leave feedback

ask a question

Report a problem

Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

A link, button or video is not working

There is a spelling mistake

Information is missing, outdated or wrong

I can't find what I'm looking for

Another issue

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

Tell us more about the problem you're having with the nidirect website.

Enter your feedback

What is your question about?

Choose a topic for your question:

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit. Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

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

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

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

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme, email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

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

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

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about 60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly. We don't have access to information about you.

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