So you want to learn to drive ? Well before you begin there are a few things to take in to account. The minimum age for a UK provisional licence is 17. You will need this before you can start taking lessons. Any car that you drive before passing your test must display L-plates front and rear. You can apply for your licence up to 2 months before your licence is due to start. But you MUST NOT drive on the road until your licence has arrived and not until the day of your 17th birthday.

If you have never held a driving licence before you will need to apply for a provisional licence. You must complete driving licence application form D1 and photocard application form D750 (available from most post offices) and the appropriate fee.
DVLA has introduced new forms for driving licence applications in response to public consultation, to minimise the form filling required by the applicant.

There will however be a period of transition where the old forms, D1 and D750 as outlined above are still available from the Post Office until their stocks are replaced by the new forms. The old forms are still acceptable for the application.
If you have obtained the new D1 form, which will have an area in the bottom left corner for you to attach your photograph, then a D750 form will not be required.

The current provisional licence fee is £38.

If you do not wish to send your identity documents through the post, a premium service for checking photocard applications is available at selected post office branches. Your application can be checked for accuracy and completeness and your identity documents returned to you immediately. The premium service fee is £5 and is in addition to the standard driving licence fee for applications sent direct to DVLA.

More information about licensing requirements can be found in the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) leaflet D100 "What you need to know about driving licences". which is available at Post Office, or by clicking here.