Provisional Driving License
What is Provisional Driving License and why is it required?
This is the driving license that allows you to drive on all UK roads except motorways before you pass your driving test.
However, to be able to do so, you must be supervised by your driving instructor or any other driver over the age of 21 who has held a full driving license for at least three years.
A provisional driving license is required to take your theory test and practical driving test, as well as for your first driving lesson in the UK.
What are the minimum requirements to apply for a provisional driving license?
To apply you must:
1. Be at least 15 years and 9 months old
2. Be able to read the number plates of a vehicle from 20 meters away
3. Have legally lived in the UK for at least 185 days in total in the past 12 months
How to apply for a provisional driving license?
If you have a UK passport then you can apply for the provisional driving license online using this link:
https://apply-provisional-driving-licence.service.gov.uk
If you are not a UK passport holder then you will need to apply for a provisional driving license online using this link:
https://motoring.dvla.gov.uk/service/DvoConsumer.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=FAP&_nfls=false
Alternatively, you can ask for a D1 application form from your local post office and send it to the DVLA by post. This method is not recommended as this kind of application takes a longer time to process, you will also need to include a cheque or postal order payable to DVLA, and it's more expensive than the online route. Likewise, there are only limited post offices where you can pick up this D1 form. To find your nearest branch where you can pick up a D1 form, search from your postcode via the following link:
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/new-driving-licence
What is a step-by-step process to get the provisional driving license?
1. Go to the website mentioned above and start filling out an online application form. For this, you need your personal details, original BRP, NI number, your addresses both of UK and abroad in last 5 years, and a debit/credit card to process the payment online. The application fee is 34£ for online application and 43£ for application via post
2. Once the application is made, you will need to wait for at least 5-7 working days for a D801(A) application form to arrive at your home.
3. After this form is delivered to your address, fill out the required information and stick up your passport size photograph in this form. Information that’s required here is just a tick mark on “Original BRP” as the document of proof of identity, a date, and a signature.
The photo that you attach here must fulfill the requirement outlined in this link:
https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports/photo-requirements
4. Once done you need to send this to DVLA along with your original BRP. The usual address to send is DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1YW.
5. DVLA will run the checks on your BRP and send them back to your address before the provisional driving license. The actual provisional license will reach your address a few days later in a different envelope.
How safe is it to send the original BRP, how long will it take to get the BRP back, what do I do if I have plans of traveling abroad in near future?
This is the biggest catch here. Return of BRP can take weeks to months. We have read in online forums and social medias that some people are waiting for their BRP even for more than 3-4 months. There is no proper time frame for it especially during this pandemic era. Hence, I highly recommend to not to start this process if you have a plan of traveling abroad in near future.
How did you get your BRP in just 3 working days?
I got my BRP back in just 3 working days and my provisional driving license a day later. Sorry for the grim story above ;) There is a way to get this process done at lightning-fast speed as well.
As a critical worker of NHS, you can prioritize your application. To do this you need to send your application pack to the following address instead of the usual one ( Don't use the address pre-filled envelope sent by DVLA with the application pack ) :
FAO Lee Jones
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
To make sure that this method is still valid and the above address is still the correct one at the time of your application, please contact DVLA via the following link:
https://contact.dvla.gov.uk/critical_worker
At the time of writing this blog, the above special address and the method is still valid.
You also need a copy of your NHS card to make your application authentic and write a cover letter explaining why do you want your application to be prioritized among others.
How do I ensure the safety of my BRP during this process?
Nothing is 100% safe, however, to increase the safety of your document follow the following steps:
1. Always send the application pack in high-quality envelope of C5 size
2. Use the “royal mail special delivery guaranteed by 1PM” service and make the insurance cover of up to 500£ to send the document. I did this as the cost of making a new BRP for the replacement of the lost one is as high as 350£. This service can be purchased online using the following link:
Once done, print out the label and paste it into this C5 Sized envelope. This service will allow you to track your letter and ensure delivery in 1 working day.
3. Inside the C5 sized envelope, keep a self-addressed prepaid DL-sized envelope for the return of your BRP. For this, you need to self-address the envelope yourself, take it to the post office, and ask for a “royal mail special delivery guaranteed by 1PM” postal sticker and postal label in it. You can’t do this online as said in step 2 because once you do it that way there is a specific time deadline for it to be posted. As you can’t predict when the DVLA will send your BRP back, you need to do this labeling from the post office itself.
4. Instead of dropping your application pack in post boxes or post offices, arrange the hand-to-hand collection of the envelope from the royal mail service directly from your home by paying an extra 0.60£.
How do I write a cover letter?
Here is the redacted copy of my cover letter:
FAO Lee Jones Date: ********
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am writing to kindly request a UK provisional driving license. I am a critical worker. I work as a doctor in ******** Department for ********* NHS foundation trust. My position within the department is *********. My General Medical Council registration number is *******. I started working for the trust since *********.
Commuting to and from work by public vehicle especially during unsocial hours has been difficult and these kinds of shifts are increasing a lot during this pandemic.
I understand applications for critical workers will be prioritized for faster response and I appreciate your efforts to support us during these difficult times.
Kindly find the following documents enclosed within this application:
1. Completed D801(A) form with reference number **********
2. One passport-sized standard photo
3. UK issued Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) with BRP number *******
4. A prepaid return envelope for the return of my BRP
5. My copy of NHS ID card as the evidence to support my application
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
Dr. *********
GMC No. ******
********
******** Department
******** NHS Foundation Trust
Mobile Number: ********
Email: ************
Do not copy this cover letter word by word. Use this letter as an opportunity to explain your circumstances and why you feel you need to be prioritized among others.
Best of luck with your application and Drive Safe in the future. Thank you.
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