How much is a provisional licence?

If you want to learn to drive then you’ll need a provisional licence before you hit the road. So you might find yourself wondering — exactly how much is a provisional licence?

We know learning to drive can be expensive, so in this article, we’ll set out exactly how much a provisional licence will set you back. 

You might be surprised to hear that the cost of a provisional licence varies depending on where you live and how you apply. But don’t worry, we’ll guide you through all the details.

What is a provisional licence?

Having a provisional licence is a must for learner drivers before they get behind the wheel. 

Once you’ve received your provisional licence, you’re allowed to drive on certain UK roads, but with restrictions. 

Here’s a quick run–through of some of the key rules for England, Scotland, and Wales: 

Usually, you have to be at least 17 years old to learn to drive (more on this below).

You must be supervised by someone aged 21 years or older who has held a qualifying full driving licence for at least three years. 

The person supervising you must be qualified to drive the vehicle you’re learning to drive. 

The person supervising you must not be banned from driving. 

Your supervisor must be sitting in the front passenger seat (including when other passengers are in the car). 

You must display L plates (or D plates in Wales) on the front and rear of the car when you (the learner) are driving. 

As a learner driver, you can only drive on motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales if you’re supervised by an approved driving instructor (ADI) in a dual-control car. 

If you receive (or have applied for) the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) then you can learn to drive when you are 16 years old. 

If you’re learning to drive in Northern Ireland then the rules are similar to the rest of the UK, but there are exceptions to be aware of. For example, in Northern Ireland, you’re not allowed to drive on the motorway or go over a speed of 45 mph with a provisional licence.

More details for rules for learner drivers can be found at gov.uk for England, Scotland, and Wales, and at nidirect.gov.uk for Northern Ireland).

How much is a provisional licence in the UK?

At the time of writing, a provisional licence in England, Scotland, or Wales will set you back £34 if you apply online and £43 if you apply by post. The figure is a little bit higher if you’re applying for a provisional licence in Northern Ireland — it’s £62.50 (whether you apply online or by post). 

The cost of a provisional licence has changed in the past. In 2014, for example, the fee for a provisional licence (in England, Scotland, and Wales) was cut from £50 to £34 if you applied online. So it’s always a good idea to check the latest government sources for the most up-to-date information. 

How do I apply for a provisional licence?

If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales, then you can apply for a provisional licence once you’re aged 15 years and nine months. But you won’t usually be able to get behind the wheel as a learner driver until you’re 17 years old. 

You’ll also need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away and have permission to live in England, Scotland, or Wales for 185 days or more.

In Northern Ireland, you can apply for your provisional driving licence up to two months before your 17th birthday. However, you’ll have to wait until you’re 17 years old to book your theory test. Normally, this is the earliest it becomes valid.

If you receive PIP at the enhanced rate then rules might be different for you. Check out gov.uk (for England, Scotland, and Wales) and nidirect.gov.uk (for Northern Ireland) for more information. 

What do I need to get a provisional licence?

Before you apply for your provisional licence, it’s a good idea to make sure you have all the documentation you need.

Here’s what you’ll need to have if you’re applying for a provisional licence in England, Scotland, or Wales: 

ID (for example, a valid passport)

History of your addresses for the last three years 

You may also need: 

Your National Insurance number

A photo and signature

Details of medical conditions and/or information to confirm that you’re medically fit to drive

If you want to apply by post then you’ll need an application for a driving licence form (formD1) which you can get from many Post Offices or the DVLA form ordering service.

If you’re applying for a provisional licence in Northern Ireland, you’ll need:

Your ID and signature 

A photo

Certifier details for your photo

If applying by post, you’ll also need a driving licence application form (form DL1), which you can get from the Post Office. 

How long does a UK provisional driving licence last?

Your provisional licence lasts 10 years and you should get a reminder before it’s due to run out. But remember, once you’ve passed the theory driving test, you’ll need to pass the practical test in the following two years. 

Renewing your provisional licence in England, Scotland, or Wales currently costs £14 if you do it online or £17 if you do it by post. If you do decide to go down the postal route, you’ll need a D1 pack of forms, which you can get from many Post Offices. 

The Post Office also offers a service to help you renew your driving licence. At the time of writing, this service costs £21.50, so It’s a little more expensive than applying by post to the DVLA directly. But since the service includes having your photo taken, having your application checked, and sending it to the DVLA, you might feel it’s worth the extra money. 

In Northern Ireland, you should get a courtesy reminder from the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) about two months before your licence expires. At the time of writing, the cost of renewing your provisional licence in Northern Ireland is £30. 

Much like the rest of the UK, you can apply to renew your provisional licence by post or online. 

Do I need special insurance for a provisional licence? 

If you’re learning to drive, you’ll either need your own insurance policy (if you own the car) or, if someone else owns the car, to be added to their policy as a named driver. 

While having your own car insurance as a learner will usually be more expensive than being added to someone else’s policy, there are potential benefits to consider. Some learner driver insurance policies come with perks — such as a courtesy car if you break down or get into an accident and the opportunity to build up your no-claims bonus. Neither are to be sneezed at! 

How much is a provisional licence: Final thoughts

If you’re a driver in England, Scotland, or Wales, then a provisional licence will set you back £34 (or £43 if you apply by post). In Northern Ireland, a provisional licence costs £62.50 and you can apply either online or by post. Your provisional licence will last for 10 years before you need to renew it.

Although you can apply for your provisional licence in advance, in most cases you won’t actually be able to get behind the wheel until you reach your 17th birthday — although there are exceptions for those in receipt of PIP at the enhanced rate.

Before applying, it’s worth checking out the documentation you’ll need. Having it on hand will make the whole process easier. Once you’ve finally got your provisional licence, make sure you know which restrictions apply when learning to drive, and remember, these can be different depending on where you live in the UK. 

Finally, make sure you’ve got learner driver insurance in place before you hit the road. At Howden, our friendly team of insurance specialists can help you find exactly the right learner driver insurance policy for you. So why not get in touch today?

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