Driving Licences

Legal obligations as a driver

Before you start driving, it is important to remember that you are legally culpable if you fail to meet the correct criteria.  To drive any sort of motor vehicle you must ensure:

• you hold the appropriate licence for that vehicle - there are a variety of riding and driving tests to take depending on the type of vehicle you wish to use
• you meet the minimum age requirement for that particular vehicle
• you are medically fit and have the correct level of eyesight to ensure you are a safe driver

If you are a learner driver:

• you must be supervised at all times by a qualified driver
• display L plates at all times on public roads

As the driver it is your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle you are driving, whether you own it or not, meets the minimum standards to be on a UK road.  The vehicle must:

• be registered with the DVLA or an appropriate foreign equivalent.
• have a valid tax disc clearly displayed at all times
• hold a current MOT certificate

You must also be insured with a minimum of third party insurance which covers both you and your vehicle for the activities that you are undertaking.

It is also essential to ensure that all of your details are correctly registered with the DVLA.  If you make any changes, you must immediately inform the DVLA.  These include:

• changes to your name or home address
• alterations to your vehicle which are not already logged
• sell your vehicle to someone else or for scrap
• develop any sort of medical condition that will impair your ability to safely drive

How do I get a driving licence?

In order to drive on a UK road you have to hold the correct licence for the vehicle that you plan to drive. If you have no licence, you must start by applying for a provisional licence.  This allows you to legally learn to drive on a UK road under supervision from a person that meets the correct criteria.

Online
The easiest way to apply for your first provisional licence is to do it online through the DVLA website
In order to qualify for a UK provisional licence through the online scheme you must:

• be a resident of Great Britain
• meet the minimum age requirements
• meet the minimum eyesight standards
• not be prevented from driving for any reason (medical or legal)
• Have a credit or debit card to make the online payment for the licence
• have a valid UK passport or other suitable official form of identity
• be able to provide a verifiable series of addresses for the last three years

In person / by post
You can also apply for a provisional licence by obtaining a D1 form from the DVLA or a local participating Post Office. Form D1 can be ordered online from the DVLA here

Such applications still require supporting identity documents, but do not have to be paid for using a credit or debit card.

How much does a driving licence cost?

* If disqualified for an alcohol-related offence where DVLA need to arrange medical enquiries (see booklet D100, section 10)

** Table Information sourced from Direct Gov

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How long does the licence take to arrive?

In general the DVLA aims to turnaround driving licence applications in three weeks, although this may take significantly longer if you have special health issues or your identity needs to be checked.

How do I replace a lost or stolen licence?

If your licence is mislaid or stolen, it can be replaced quickly and easily online by contacting the DVLA online. You can also call the DVLA  on 0300 790 6801 (Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 8.30 pm or Saturday 8.00 am - 5.30 pm) or write to them at:  DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB

What can I drive?

A different class of driving licence is required for each type of vehicle you wish to take out on the road.  Just because you have passed your test, for example as a B class car driver, that does not necessarily mean that you have the automatic right to drive any other type of vehicle on the road. 

As a general rule, those holding the most common car licence cannot ride a motorbike, drive a heavy goods vehicle or a bus without further training and tests.  Some smaller vans, minibuses and low powered motorcycles are allowed. It's important that you carefully check what classes of vehicle your licence allows you to drive legally before you start on on the roads. In some instances, there are also specific minimum age requirements for a vehicle, so again, it is important to always check first.

Can I drive a minibus?

This is one of the most common questions asked by those holding a standard car licence (B class on new style licences, A class on old licences)

If you passed your car licence test on or before the 1st January 1997 then you are permitted to drive a minibus (Category D1) with up to 17 seats (including the driver) as long as the vehicle is not being used for hire or reward.  In order to drive a vehicle with nine or more seats commercially, you will need a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) entitlement added to your licence.  This requires the driver to meet higher medical standards and pass a further test.

The entitlement will stay on your licence until the age of 70, when a special application must be made to retain it, requiring higher medical requirements.

Those who obtained a car licence after 1st January 1997 and do not have a D1 entitlement on their licence are usually still able to drive a minibus without further testing under the following conditions:

• you drive non-commercially for social purposes and do undertake hire or reward
• you are over 21 years of age
• you have held a car (category B) licence for at least two years
• your service is provided as a driver on a  purely voluntary basis
• the minibus has no more than 16 seats and it weighs not more than 3.5 tonnes (4.25 tonnes if it carries specialist equipment for disabled transport)
• you do not tow a trailer

Permit in the community scheme

The DVLA operates a permit scheme for organisations who operate in the community, usually social clubs, religious organisations and educational institutions.

If a permit is granted to the organisation, the driver is permitted to drive a minibus whilst passengers are being charged providing the other non-monetary criteria are met.

Can I drive a motorhome?

Before you buy a motorhome or make a booking to hire one, it is important you check that you are eligible to drive the vehicle with your current driving licence. 

If you have a standard car licence (class B), you can drive a motorhome as long as it weighs no more than 3,500 kilograms, has fewer than eight passenger seats and has a trailer no heavier than 750 kilograms. 

In order to tow a larger trailer, you will need to obtain category E permission on your licence. 

If you wish to drive a larger motorhome (over 5,500 kg) you will need a category C1 licence. 

A motorhome registered in the UK has to fall within certain height and width restrictions to ensure it is compatible with local roads. 

The vehicle may not be more than 12 metres long and cannot exceed 2.55 metres in width. When measuring the vehicle do not include mirrors, pretruding bumpers, reflectors or distortions in tyres due to loading.

Can I drive a van?

Most large vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) are subject to special licensing requirements beyond the standard car (Class B) permissions. 

If a vehicle has a maximum authorised mass of more than 3.5 tonnes but less than 7.5 tonnes then a category C1 licence is required, above 7.5 tonnes and a full class C licence must be held. 

Certain exemptions exist, allowing standard car licence holders to drive larger vehicles. They include:

• goods vehicles propelled by steam
• road construction vehicles used solely on construction sites
• engineering plant vehicles
• works trucks on private property
• industrial tractors
• some other agricultural vehicles
• digging machines
• good vehicles not used on public roads

Always check before driving a vehicle as minumum age and health standards may still apply.

A full list of age limits and vehicle classifications can be found on the Direct Gov Website here:

New Drivers Act

The New Drivers Act took effect from 1 June 1997.  Under this Act your driving licence will be revoked if you reach six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test.  Your driving status will revert back to being a learner again.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, will automatically revoke your driving licence when notified by a court or fixed penalty office. There is no right of appeal against revocation under the provisions of the act. You may only appeal against the conviction, which led to the revocation of your driving licence.

Getting your full driving licence back

To get your licence back you must follow the same procedures as a first time applicant, ie pay the current application fee for a new provisional licence. An exchange fee will also be charged when converting the provisional to full. A full licence cannot be granted to you until you obtain a provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical driving tests again.  After passing these, you can then exchange your provisional driving licence for a full one.

Your driving entitlement for other vehicles

Any other entitlements you had on you driving licence, such as bus or lorry, will only be restored after the approval of a traffic commissioner in the area you live.  The traffic commissioner may request you retake a driving test for those vehicles.

If you already have Penalty Points on your Provisional Licence

Any penalty points you gain before passing your first driving test are taken into account. However, having six or more doesn’t mean your licence will be revoked straight after you pass your test.  If you get any more points after passing your test, taking your total to six or more, will mean your licence will be revoked.

After passing your retest

Passing a retest doesn’t remove the penalty points from your driving licence. The penalty points remain valid.  If you wish to appeal you should contact the Court for advice.