How Long Does a Provisional Licence Take to Be Delivered?

A provisional driving license is the first license granted to a new driver. It is valid for a specified period and must be surrendered before applying for a full driving license. Specific requirements are associated with provisional driving licenses, such as age, driving experience, and vehicle type that one has to fulfil. In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about how long does a provisional licence take to be delivered. We will also notify you how much they cost and what vehicles one can drive after obtaining them. Let’s begin!

What is a Provisional License?

A Provisional License is the first license granted to individuals to learn to drive a car, motorcycle, or moped. It allows drivers to drive on all UK roads, except motorways, as long as a qualified driver supervises them over 21. To apply for a provisional license, complete a driving application form from the Post Office or DVLA and provide evidence that you can drive safely.

This form will ask you to provide details of any driving experience, such as lessons taken or driving license endorsements. The application form may also ask about your driving history and ability. Different rules apply depending on your age and the type of vehicle you are driving. You must be between 17 and 20 years old to apply for a provisional car, motorcycle, or moped license.

You can also apply for a provisional license if you have held a driving license in any country for at least two years.

Consequently, young people should know the various requirements and timelines for applying for a provisional license before taking the driving test.

How Much is a Provisional Licence?

The cost of a provisional licence in the UK is £34 if you apply online or £43 by post. You can pay online with a MasterCard, Delta debit, or credit card. Postal applications require a cheque or postal order payable to the DVLA. Unofficial websites may charge a fee for processing the application. However, once you pass your driving test and exchange your provisional licence for a full driving licence, it’s free of charge.

What Do You Need for a Provisional License?

A provisional driving licence is issued to eligible license holders who meet the eligibility requirements. If qualified, you must have a valid full driving licence from any EU or EEA country for atometric years of driving experience. You should also have completed 40 hours of driving training, including theory and practical tests, within 12 months before applying for a provisional licence.

Along with your provisional driving licence, you must provide proof of identity and residence documents such as a UK passport or national identity card. You must also show evidence of having passed a test on driving skills (such as a driver’s licence from the relevant country) and the ability to read a number plate from 20 metres away with glasses.

A provisional licence can only be cancelled if you meet the eligibility requirements. Therefore, to ensure you can do all the tasks mentioned above before applying for a provisional driving licence.

What Age Can You Apply for a Provisional Driving Licence?

A provisional driving licence is a licence that allows you to drive for up to two years before taking the driving test. It’s only available to people aged 15 or older, and you must have permission to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) for at least 185 days before applying.

In addition, you must be able to read a number plate from 20 metres and can drive a car of a suitable age, size and type. This includes holding a valid driving licence of the same category as the provisional licence you’re applying for.

If you’re applying online or by post, you must provide evidence of your identity, residence permit, and birth certificate or passport.

How to Apply for a Provisional Licence?

You must meet certain eligibility criteria if you are a foreign national and would like to apply for a provisional licence. You must be at least 15 years and 9 months old to apply, have been living in the UK for at least six months, and have a valid passport or biometric residence permit. You can apply online or by post, whichever is easiest for you.

Step 1

Visit your nearest driving licence office and provide the required documents. You’ll need to provide evidence of identity, residence permit, and birth certificate or passport if you’re a foreign national.

If you’re applying online or by post, you must fill in an application form and submit it with the required documentation.

Step 2

After completing the application form, take it with your passport or biometric residence permit (if applicable) to your local driving licence office. The driving licence office will check that you meet eligibility requirements and issue you a provisional licence.

Step 3

Once you have received your provisional licence, please take it to your nearest driving test centre and present it with the appropriate documentation. You must also be able to read number plates from 20 metres away before taking your driving test.

The provisional licence will be valid for 12 months. However, you must renew your provisional licence before it expires to keep driving legally in the UK. You must visit a driving licence office and provide appropriate documentation to renew your provisional licence.

How Long Does a Provisional Licence Take to Be Delivered?

• A provisional licence is an interim driving licence issued by the DVLA. It lasts for 12 months, after which applicants will require a full driving licence
• A provisional licence usually takes around one week to be delivered when applying online. If you’re applying by post, it could take up to three weeks to arrive
• The DVLA may require additional checks, which could lead to delays. This could include taking a driving test or visiting a driving school
• Replacement provisional licences take approximately three weeks to be processed. It’s vital to plan and make sure the licence is received in time for any tests or bookings
• Finally, applying online is recommended as this is the quickest way to get your provisional licence and avoid delays.

What Can You Drive on a Provisional Licence?

If you have a provisional driving licence (also known as a driver’s licence under review), you can drive a car, motorcycle, or moped on public roads. However, it would help if you were accompanied by an instructor or qualified driver over 21 who has held a full driving licence for at least three years when driving with a provisional driving licence.

The type of vehicle you can drive with a provisional licence varies based on age. For example, young drivers (under 20) can only drive cars with a manual transmission, while older drivers (aged 20 and over) can also drive automatic vehicles. If your provisional driving licence is expired, you must obtain a new one before driving on public roads.

How Long Does a Provisional Licence Last?

You have a ten-year temporary license. However, you must pass your written theory exam within two years to take your practical driving test. If you wait longer than that, you’ll have to retake your theory exam.

How to Renew Provisional Driving Licence?

• You can renew a provisional driving licence online through the DVLA; you’ll need to have a valid UK passport, be a resident of Great Britain, provide three years’ worth of address history, your current driving licence or explain why you don’t have it, and your National Insurance number.
• You must complete the application form and pay £14 to the DVLA to get a provisional replacement licence by post. There’s no cost if you’re over 70 or have a short-period medical licence. However, if you want a replacement licence urgently, you can contact the DVLA for an interim driving licence. This should arrive within 10 days of applying for it.
• If you’re not in a hurry, you can also get a provisional licence by post. This is the quickest way to get one, but your new licence may take several weeks to arrive.

How Much to Renew Provisional Driving Licence?

The current cost to renew a provisional driving licence is £20 if it has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. To apply for renewal of your provisional driving licence online, the applicant must have a valid passport and provide the addresses of where they have lived for the last three years and their current driving licence (or explain why they don’t have one).

Those over 70 or with a short-period medical licence will not be charged for renewal. Applicants must provide proof of identity and a national insurance number to apply for renewal by post.

The application form can take up to seven days to arrive once submitted. The processing time for paper-based applications ranges from two to four weeks, while those made online can take up to a week to process.

Those hoping to renew their provisional driving licence should do so promptly, as processing times vary depending on the applicant’s age and the application’s complexity.

Conclusion

A driving licence is a mandatory document for driving. However, provisional driving licences allow you to drive legally if you still need to be of driving age and have a full driving licence in your name. You can use provisional driving licences as long as they remain valid. If you lose your provisional licence, you must apply for a replacement and pay the applicable fees.

FAQ – How Long Does a Provisional Licence Take to Be Delivered?

Can I drive before my provisional licence arrives?

No, you cannot. The provisional licence is only valid during the process – usually between two and four weeks. You will also need to wait for your new licence to arrive before driving.

What to do after getting provisional license?

After getting your provisional driving licence, the first order of business is to buy provisional insurance. This will help cover any driving lessons or car accidents that may occur.

The next step would be to take a driving test. The driving test is a requirement to receive your provisional licence and should be taken as soon as possible. After passing the driving test, you can apply for your provisional licence. Make sure to take note of the licence’s expiry date so that you can renew it on time every 10 years.

Finally, ensure you have the right level of car insurance before driving. If you are still determining what level of car insurance you need, consult an insurance specialist.

How long is a provisional licence valid for?

A provisional licence is valid for 10 years, and the reminder to renew it will be sent before it expires. Foreign nationals must provide documents such as passports and visas to apply for a provisional licence. To apply for a provisional licence, applicants must be at least 15 years and 9 months old and be able to read a number plate from 20 metres. Applicants must live in Great Britain for at least 185 days to get a new licence.

What happens if you drive alone with a provisional license?

Driving alone with a provisional driving licence is illegal, as you must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or over who has held a full driving licence for at least three years. If you are 17 or over, you can only drive a car with a provisional driving licence. It would help if you also were supervised by your driving instructor or any other driver over the age of 21 who has held a full driving licence for at least three years.

Can provisional licence holders drive at night?

No, provisional licence holders are not allowed to drive at night.

Can I drive straight away after passing my test?

Yes, you can drive straight away after your driving test. However, if you have an insurance policy allowing you to drive without supervision, contact your insurer and clarify the matter before driving; driving immediately after your test is not advised, as you may be too excited to make the right judgement.

If you have a provisional photocard licence, your driving test examiner will send your test pass certificate to the DVLA.

Can provisional drivers drive on a roads?

Yes, provisional drivers can legally drive on UK roads with the supervision of an instructor or another driver with a valid driver’s licence for at least three years. This licence will allow you to drive on all UK roads except motorways when you hold it. However, if you upgrade your licence to a full driving licence, you will no longer be allowed to drive on motorways.

Can a provisional licence be used as ID?

Yes, a provisional driving licence can be used as ID when applying for a driving licence in the UK. You must provide a passport or valid UK passport as ID when applying for a provisional licence.

If your name needs to be corrected on your provisional licence, you must complete a D1 form from the Post Office and submit it along with other documents. A provisional licence can be used as identification. However, it cannot be used to supervise a learner driver.

What is the point of a provisional licence?

A provisional licence is a licence that allows you to drive without having passed your driving test. This is useful if you still need to reach the required age or complete the required driving course for a full driving licence.