- 6.1 How Can I Apply for a Provisional Licence?
- 6.2 What Are the Requirements for Getting a Provisional Licence?
- 6.3 When Does a Provisional Licence Expire?
- 6.4 Do I Need a Provisional Licence for Driving Lessons?
- 6.5 How Long Does It Take to Get a Provisional Licence?
- 6.6 What Does a Provisional Licence Look Like?
What Is a Provisional Licence?
To those who don’t know, a provisional licence is what you will first need to obtain before applying for a full driving licence.
You can apply for a provisional licence when you are at least 15 years and 9 months old.
Moreover, you should be able to read a number plate at a 20-metre distance and legally live in England, Scotland, and Wales for at least 185 days.
After getting a provisional licence, you can practise driving for as long as you are accompanied by a driving instructor or a person over 21 years old holding a full driving licence.
Moreover, you will only be able to take the driving and theory tests once you have a provisional licence.
What Can I Drive on a Provisional Licence?
A provisional licence allows learners to drive only three driving licence categories:
- Car (category B)
- Motorbike (categories A1, A2 and A)
- Moped (category P or AM)
Other types of vehicles have a different process and set of requirements. You will need a provisional entitlement instead of a regular provisional licence. The steps are as follows:
- You will first need to apply for a provisional licence for cars, motorbikes, or moped.
- Next, pass the theory and driving test.
- Then, get a full driving licence.
- Lastly, apply for a provisional entitlement to drive your desired vehicle. This process is under “Adding categories to your driving licence“.
A provisional entitlement is needed for the following vehicles:
- Medium-sized vehicles (category C1)
- Large vehicles and lorries (category C)
- Minibus (category D1)
- Bus (category D)
- Agricultural tractor (category F)
- Other specialist vehicles (categories G, H and K)
- Quad bikes (category B1)
- Motor tricycle (categories A and A1)
| Provisional entitlement applied | Additional provisional entitlements you can have |
| Large vehicles and lorries (category C) | C1, C1+E, C, C+E |
| Medium-sized vehicles (category C1) | C1 |
| C1+E | C1, C1+E, C, C+E |
| Bus (category D) | C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D, D+E |
| Minibus (category D1) | C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D, D+E |
| Agricultural tractor (category F) | If you do not have a full driving licence, you have to apply for a provisional tractor entitlement (category F) and pass the test. |
How Can I Know Which Type of Vehicle I Can Drive With a Provisional Licence?
Check which vehicles you can drive and when you can drive using the GOV.UK’s Vehicles you can drive tool. Here’s how you can use the tool:
- Visit GOV.UK’s Vehicles you can drive tool.
- Click Start Now.
- Select the kind of vehicle you want to drive: Car (category B), Motorbike (categories A1, A2 and A), Moped (category P or AM), Medium-sized vehicles (category C1), Large vehicles and lorries (category C), Minibus (category D1), Bus (category D), Agricultural tractor (category F), Other specialist vehicles (categories G, H and K), Quad bikes (category B1), or Motor tricycle (categories A and A1).
- Afterwards, you may be asked additional questions on age, whether or not you have a full driving licence, and the vehicle specifications you wish to drive.
- The last page shows the requirements you need to accomplish and the steps to follow to drive the vehicle.
If you already have a full driving licence, you can also check online and use GOV.UK’s View or share your driving licence information tool to view your driving record and the vehicles you can drive.
Can I Drive on All Roads With a Provisional Licence?
You can drive on all roads except motorways with a provisional licence. Learners can only drive on motorways when taking motorway driving lessons with a driving instructor through the voluntary Pass Plus scheme or after passing the driving test.
Those living in England, Scotland, and Wales can take motorway driving lessons.
Can I Drive a Vehicle With Passengers Using a Provisional Licence?
Driving with a provisional licence with passengers on board is typically allowed.
However, the number of passengers should be according to the maximum limit of the vehicle.
Moreover, the learner should be accompanied by a driving instructor or passenger with a full driving licence for at least three years.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Apply for a Provisional Licence?
Apply for your first provisional driving licence using GOV.UK’s application service. Visit the website service and click Start Now.
Check the full guide on how to apply for a provisional licence and follow the steps. If you already have one, you can simply renew, replace, or reapply for a provisional driving licence.
What Are the Requirements for Getting a Provisional Licence?
What do you need for a provisional licence? You will need your passport, National Insurance, and addresses where you lived in the past three years.
When Does a Provisional Licence Expire?
After obtaining a provisional licence, you have to pass your driving test within two years and get a UK Driving Licence. Otherwise, you will have to reapply for a provisional licence again.
Do I Need a Provisional Licence for Driving Lessons?
Yes, you need a provisional licence to take driving lessons. You can only drive on the road for practice only after obtaining a provisional licence.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Provisional Licence?
The normal application process takes 3 to 4 weeks, while online applications can be processed within 5 days.
You can get more information here to learn how long it takes to get a provisional licence and how to view the status of your application.
What Does a Provisional Licence Look Like?
A provisional licence should have the letter L on the front of the card. If the front of the licence has the letter L, it means it is for a learner driver.
Wrap Up
Be sure to follow the requirements and drive only the allowed vehicles to avoid any penalties or fines.
Once you obtain a provisional licence, you can start learning with the 10 Best Driving Schools in London and The 5 Best Theory Test Apps. Getting professional help can assist you in passing your theory and driving tests with ease.
Driving schools have professional driving instructors that can teach you the ins and outs of driving.
To help you learn better, check out Winterville blogs on driving and regulations, including:
- How to contact DVLA(UK)
- Driving in London
- Parking in London
- Congestion Charge
- Lost driving licence UK
- The Drink Drive Limit in the UK
Drive safe and keep your eyes on the road!
