UK Driving Licence Guide 2026: How to Apply, Renew, Replace & Check
Last reviewed: September 2026. Fees and rules are taken from GOV.UK.
Getting a Driving Licence Uk costs from £119 in official fees. Miss one update, or use the wrong website, and it can cost you far more, including a fine of up to £1,000.
This guide covers how to apply, what each step costs, how to read your licence, and how to check, renew or replace it. Every fee and rule was checked against GOV.UK in September 2026.
What Is a UK Driving Licence?
A driving licence is the official document that authorises you to drive on public roads. The DVLA issues it in England, Scotland and Wales. The DVA issues it in Northern Ireland.
Photocard licences are valid for 10 years unless stated otherwise.
What is the difference between a provisional and a full licence?
- Provisional licence: for learner drivers. You must drive under supervision and display L plates.
- Full licence: issued after you pass the practical driving test. It lets you drive unsupervised.
What are the rules for learner drivers?
- Display L plates on the front and back of the car (D plates in Wales).
- Your supervisor must be 21 or over, have held a full licence for at least 3 years (issued in the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein), and be qualified for the type of car you are driving (manual or automatic).
- Your supervisor must not use a mobile phone, and cannot accept payment for supervising you. Only approved driving instructors can.
- You need learner insurance if you practise in your own car. In someone else’s car, you must be covered by their policy or your own. Some insurers require the supervisor to be over 25.
- You cannot use motorways unless you are with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual controls.
Driving without the right supervision can bring a fine of up to £1,000 and up to 6 penalty points.
How long is a driving licence valid?
- Photocard licences last 10 years, then need a photo renewal.
- From age 70, you renew every 3 years.
- Old paper licences without a photo stay valid until you turn 70 or change your address.
Who Can Apply and at What Age
To apply for a first provisional licence you must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, be able to read a number plate from 20 metres, and have permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days.
Applying early does not mean you can drive early. The legal driving ages are:
- 16: moped (category AM)
- 17: car (category B)
- 16: car, if you receive the higher or enhanced rate mobility component of PIP or DLA
At what age can you drive a car in the UK?
You can drive a car at 17. The exception is 16 with the enhanced mobility component of PIP or DLA.
What are the eyesight rules for driving?
- You must read a number plate (made after 1 September 2001) from 20 metres, with glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
- You need a visual acuity of at least 0.5 on the Snellen scale (6/12), with both eyes together.
- You need an adequate field of vision.
You must read a number plate at the start of your practical test. Short-sightedness, long-sightedness and colour blindness do not need to be reported to DVLA.
Do you need to tell DVLA about a medical condition?
Yes, if you have a “notifiable” condition or an existing one gets worse. Examples include diabetes treated with insulin, epilepsy, heart conditions, sleep apnoea, strokes, glaucoma and fainting episodes.
- You can be fined up to £1,000 for not telling DVLA.
- You may be prosecuted if you are in an accident.
- You must surrender your licence if your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more.
Car and motorcycle drivers can check and report a condition online through GOV.UK. In Northern Ireland, contact the DVA.
How to Apply for a Provisional Licence
What do you need before you apply?
- Your current address and addresses from the last 3 years
- Your passport or other ID that GOV.UK asks for
- Your National Insurance number, if you know it
- A debit or credit card
- Details of any medical condition that affects driving
How do you apply online?
- Go to the GOV.UK page “Apply for your first provisional driving licence”.
- Sign in or create an account.
- Prove your identity if asked.
- Pay the £34 fee by debit or credit card.
How do you apply by post?
Complete form D1 (available from most Post Offices) and send it with a cheque or postal order for £43 payable to DVLA.
How long does a provisional licence take?
Online applications should arrive within one week, but extra checks can add time. You will get a confirmation email after you apply. If it is late, use the “Track your driving licence application” service on GOV.UK.
| Online | Post | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | £34 | £43 |
| Speed | Usually within a week | Slower |
| Payment | Debit/credit card | Cheque or postal order |
How to Get Your Full Licence
- Learn. Take lessons with an instructor, or practise with a qualified supervisor. You need your provisional licence.
- Pass the theory test (£23). You must pass both parts in the same sitting.
- Pass the practical test (£62 to £75). The price depends on the day and time. Book only after passing theory.
- Receive your full licence. With a photocard provisional licence, your examiner can arrange it automatically. It usually arrives within about three weeks.
If you apply by post instead, you must send your documents to DVLA within 2 years of passing, or you will have to take the test again.
You can drive alone as soon as you pass, as long as your insurance covers unsupervised driving.
How does the theory test work?
- Multiple choice: 50 questions in 57 minutes. Pass mark: 43 out of 50.
- Hazard perception: 14 video clips with 15 developing hazards. Pass mark: 44 out of 75.
- Both parts must be passed in the same sitting. If you fail one, you retake both.
- Your pass certificate is valid for 2 years, and you must pass the practical test within that time.
How does the practical test work?
The test lasts about 40 minutes and includes:
- An eyesight check (reading a number plate)
- Two “show me, tell me” vehicle safety questions
- About 20 minutes of independent driving, following a sat nav or road signs
- One reversing manoeuvre, and possibly an emergency stop
You can make up to 15 minor driving faults and still pass. One serious or dangerous fault is an automatic fail. Repeating the same minor fault can be marked as a serious one. The national pass rate is around 48%.
What are the current driving test booking rules?
DVSA tightened car test booking in 2026 to tackle bots and slot resellers. Under the current GOV.UK rules:
- Two changes only: you can change a car test appointment twice (date, time or centre). After that you must cancel and rebook. Other test types allow 6 changes.
- Learner only: you must make changes yourself. Your instructor cannot change your test for you, and it is illegal to book a car test for someone else.
- 10 working days’ notice: cancel or change at least 10 full working days before the test, or you pay again. Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not.
- Booking window: new appointments are released 24 weeks ahead, at 6am every Monday. Earlier slots appear whenever another learner changes or cancels.
You can get a refund for short-notice changes in limited cases, such as illness, bereavement, a school or college exam clashing with your test, or a stolen licence. You need proof.
These rules apply to car tests in Great Britain, not theory tests. Northern Ireland tests are run by the DVA.
Total Cost of Getting a UK Driving Licence
The fixed cost of getting a UK driving licence in Great Britain starts at £119. That is a provisional licence, a theory test and a weekday practical test. Driving lessons are extra.
| Step | Cost |
|---|---|
| Provisional licence (online) | £34 |
| Theory test | £23 |
| Practical test | £62 (weekday) to £75 |
| Full licence after passing | Free (£17 if you want a new photo) |
| Total (excluding lessons) | £119 to £132 |
What do other licence services cost?
| Service | Online | Post |
|---|---|---|
| Replace lost, stolen or damaged licence | £20 | £20 |
| Change address | Free | Free |
| Change name | Not available | Free |
| Change photo | £14 | £17 |
| Renew an expired licence | £14 | £17 |
| Renew at 70 or over | Free | Free |
| Paper to photocard (voluntary) | £20 | £20 |
You can also renew an expired licence at a Post Office for £21.50. Exchanging a foreign licence for a GB licence costs £43 if you never held a GB licence.
You do not have to swap a valid paper licence for a photocard. If you need a new licence because you changed your name or address, the paper-to-photocard swap is free.
Northern Ireland fees are different (see the comparison below).
How to Read Your Driving Licence
Photocard licences use numbered fields.
Front:
- 1: surname
- 2: first names
- 3: date and place of birth
- 4a / 4b / 4c: issue date, expiry date, issuing authority
- 5: driver number
- 8: address
Back:
- 9: vehicle categories
- 10 / 11: valid from and valid to dates for each category
- 12: codes and restrictions
What does the driver number mean?
A GB driver number has 16 characters built from your personal details:
- Characters 1–5: first five letters of your surname (padded with 9s if shorter)
- Character 6: decade digit of your birth year
- Characters 7–8: birth month (5 is added to the first digit for women)
- Characters 9–10: birth day
- Character 11: year digit of your birth year
- Characters 12–13: first two initials (a 9 replaces a missing one)
- Character 14: usually 9
- Characters 15–16: computer-generated check characters
A separate two-digit issue number sits next to it and goes up each time a new licence is issued.
Example: a man born on 23 March 1986 has 803236 in characters 6 to 11. A woman with the same birthday has 853236.
Because the number contains your birth date, avoid posting it publicly.
What do licence codes mean?
- 01: eyesight correction (glasses or contact lenses)
- 02: hearing or communication aid
- 10: modified transmission
- 78: automatic transmission only
- 96: trailer of 750 kg or more, with combined weight between 3,500 kg and 4,250 kg
- 101: not for hire or reward
- 115: organ donor
The full list is on GOV.UK under “Driving licence codes”.
What do the main categories cover?
- AM: mopeds (from 16)
- A1 / A2 / A: motorcycles (from 17 / 19 / 24)
- B: cars (from 17)
- C1: medium vehicles, 3,500–7,500 kg (from 18)
- D1: minibuses (from 21)
How to Check or Share Your Licence
How do you check your licence online?
Use GOV.UK’s “View or share your driving licence information”. You need your licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode on your licence. The service shows your entitlements, penalty points and disqualifications. It works for licences issued in England, Wales or Scotland.
You can also check by phone (DVLA: 0300 083 0013, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm) or through your driver and vehicles account.
What is a licence check code?
A check code lets an employer or car hire company view your driving record. The code is valid for 21 days. It is case-sensitive and single-use. The other person also needs the last 8 characters of your licence number.
The paper counterpart was abolished in June 2015. Endorsements are now visible only online.
Renew, Replace or Update Your Licence
How do you replace a lost or stolen licence?
Apply on GOV.UK for £20. You must replace a licence that is lost, stolen, defaced or destroyed.
How do you change your address?
Update it on GOV.UK for free, online or by post. You need the addresses you have lived at in the last 3 years. You can keep driving while you wait, and a postal application usually arrives within 3 weeks.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your address changes. If you want to change your name at the same time, you must apply by post.
How do you change your name or photo?
- Name: free, by post only.
- Photo: £14 online or £17 by post.
How do you renew at 70?
Renewal is free, online or by post. You then renew every three years.
How do you renew a 10-year photocard?
Renew online for £14 (£17 by post) using GOV.UK. Online renewals usually arrive within about a week.
Your photocard expiry date is in field 4b. DVLA usually writes to you about 56 days before it ends.
What happens if your photocard expires?
Driving on an expired photocard can lead to a fine of up to £1,000. Renew before the date in field 4b. If you stop driving, tell DVLA and return the licence rather than keeping it as ID.
Penalty Points and Your Licence
- Endorsements stay on your record for 4 years for most offences, and 11 years for drink or drug driving.
- Points stay active for the first 3 years of a 4-year endorsement (10 years for an 11-year one). The endorsement stays visible for one more year after that.
- Totting up: reaching 12 points within three years makes you liable to disqualification, usually for at least six months. A court decides.
- New drivers: 6 points within two years of passing means your licence is revoked and you must pass the full test again.
Points no longer appear on the card itself. Check them through the online service.
GB vs Northern Ireland Licences
| Great Britain | Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | DVLA | DVA |
| First provisional fee | £34 online | £62.50 |
| Replacement fee | £20 | £30 |
| Provisional (car) from age | 15 years 9 months | 16 years 10 months |
| Paper counterpart | No | Yes |
| Driver number | 16 characters | 8 digits |
| New driver rules | No restrictions | R plates (see below) |
You cannot apply for the other region’s licence from your address. Either one works as a UK driving licence anywhere in the UK.
What is Northern Ireland’s Graduated Driver Licensing scheme?
Northern Ireland currently requires new drivers to display R plates for 12 months after passing. From 1 October 2026, the DVA’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme changes this:
- R plates for two years: a blue R on white for the first six months, then a white R on blue for the remaining 18 months.
- Night-time passenger limit: in the first six months, drivers under 24 can carry no more than one passenger aged 14 to 20 between 11pm and 6am. Immediate family are exempt.
The scheme also introduces a six-month minimum learning period and a training logbook that learners must complete before the practical test. Check NIDirect for the start dates.
GB drivers have no such restrictions, but six penalty points within two years of passing still revokes a licence in both regions.
Northern Ireland also has its own medical reporting rules. Failing to tell the DVA about a medical condition can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and a false health declaration up to £2,500.
Driving in the UK with a Foreign Licence
How long can visitors drive on a foreign licence?
Visitors can drive small vehicles such as cars and motorcycles for 12 months from when they last entered Great Britain.
What if you live in Great Britain?
It depends on where your licence was issued:
- EU or EEA licence: if you were under 67 when you became resident, you can drive until you turn 70. If you were 67 or over, you can drive for 3 years. You can exchange it for a GB licence without retaking a test. If you got your EU licence by exchanging a non-EU one, you can drive for only 12 months.
- Designated country (for example Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or South Africa): you can drive for 12 months after becoming resident, then exchange it within 5 years. If you miss that window, you must take the theory and practical tests.
- Any other country (for example India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Nigeria): you can drive for 12 months, then you must apply for a provisional licence and pass both tests.
The full list of designated countries is on GOV.UK. Use GOV.UK’s non-GB licence checker to confirm your case.
Digital Driving Licence
The government announced a digital licence stored in the GOV.UK Wallet app. The Government Digital Service began a private trial with DVLA staff in December 2025, and planned a wider public rollout in England, Wales and Scotland later in 2026.
As of September 2026, the GOV.UK Wallet page says you will be able to save your driving licence “in future”, so it is not yet available to the public. The digital version will be optional. Your physical photocard stays valid. Check gov.uk/wallet for updates.
Common Problems and Fixes
- Licence has not arrived: online applications usually arrive within a week, but extra checks can delay them. Track your application on GOV.UK, then contact DVLA.
- Asked to prove your identity: have photo ID ready, usually a passport.
- Wrong details on your licence: update your name or address through GOV.UK.
- Lost licence: replace it for £20.
- Photocard expired: renew it online for £14 before you drive again.
- Cannot change your test any more: after two changes you must cancel and rebook. Cancel at least 10 full working days ahead to keep your fee.
- Sites charging extra fees: some third-party sites add “processing fees” for services you can do directly on GOV.UK. Always start from the official page.
Conclusion
Getting a UK driving licence follows one path: provisional licence, theory test, practical test, full licence. Budget at least £119 in fixed fees, plus lessons. Use only the official GOV.UK services, keep your address updated, and renew on time.
Next, pick the guide that matches your situation, such as applying for a provisional licence, booking your tests, replacing a lost licence, or exchanging a foreign licence.