Applying for a Driving Licence

Before you can learn to drive a car, moped or motorbike, you must apply for a provisional driving licence. To apply for a licence, you will need to send in a D1 application form, along with confirmation of your identity and a colour passport-style photograph. There is a £38 fee for this service.

The same D1 application form may also be used to apply for a replacement licence for those that have been lost, stolen or damaged, or to change an old style paper licence to a new photocard licence. Replacing a lost or stolen licence will cost you £19, whilst simply upgrading to a photocard licence is free of charge.

Identification

If you have a digital UK passport, then the DVLA will be able to confirm your identify without you having to send in your passport as proof. To see if you have a digital passport, check the page with your photograph; if your signature also appears on this page, then you have a digital passport. You will be required to provide the nine-digit passport number in the 'confirming your identity' section of the application form D1. Do not send your passport in with the application form, DVLA with confirm your identity directly with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).

However, if you do not have a digital passport, there are a number of other ways to confirm your identity. Unlike the digital passport, you will need to send the original documentation to the DVLA with your application form.

• full valid current passport
• UK certificate of naturalisation
• identity card issued by a member state of the European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEC)
• travel documents issued by the Home Office
• UK birth or adoption certificate
• UK certificate of registry of birth (your name must be present on the certificate)

Please bear in mind however that a birth certificate is not absolute proof of identity and you may be required by the DVLA to provide other evidence to confirm your identity.

If you have reached State Retirement Pension age, you can also confirm your identity using one of the following original documents:

• BR2102, BR2103 or BR2199 letter confirming your eligibility for the state retirement pension
• recent (within three months) bank or building society statement showing your National Insurance number and pension payment

If your name has changed and it does not match your documentation, you must also provide evidence that shows a clear link between the name on your identity document and your current name; for example, an original deed-poll declaration, marriage certificate, decree nisi or decree absolute.

Photographs

When applying for your driving licence, you must also send in a photograph. This must be:

• colour passport style and size (size of image 45mm x 35mm)
• taken against a plain, and evenly lit background
• taken recently and be a true likeness. It should show your full face, with no hat, helmet or sunglasses; however, you may wear everyday glasses.

If you have ...

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