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How to get a Driving Licence UK
Whether you're a learner driver or an experienced international driver, NimbleFins explains the steps to get a UK driving licence, along with information on how much it will cost.
Steps to get a driving licence
You must be at least 17 years old to start driving a car in the UK. This can be a source of confusion since you can apply for a provisional driving licence from age 15 years and 9 months—at that age, you could start learning on a moped with a provisional licence, but not a car. You must be 17 to get behind the wheel of a car. (A provisional licence can also be useful before age 17 as an ID.)
Once you have a provisional licence and are 17+ years of age, the next step is ensure you're covered by a learner insurance policy. If you're taking lessons from a proper driving instructor, they should have insurance to cover you (be sure to confirm this). But if you're driving while accompanied by family or friends, you'll need to buy a learner insurance policy (get a quote here). These are typically pretty affordable (especially compared to young driver insurance costs once you've passed your test!)
With your provisional licence and learner insurance in hand, it's time to get behind the wheel! You'll need to be accompanied by either a driver instructor or a qualifying friend or family member (learn more about who qualifies here).
While you're learning and practising behind the wheel, you can book and prep for the theory test. Once you've passed that you can book your on-the-road, practical driving test. Note: there is currently a months-long wait in most areas for driving tests, so it's wise to book this ASAP after passing your theory test. You'll likely have months to wait for the test, during which time you can practise your driving. If you're not ready when the time comes, you can cancel and rebook your driving test.
- Be at least 17 years old
- Get a provisional licence
- Be covered by learner driver insurance
- Take driving lessons and practise
- Study for the theory test
- Book and pass the theory test (book here)
- Book and pass the on-road driving test (book here)
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If you ever need to cancel or rebook your practical driving test, use the link here. You can also look for earlier appointments (e.g. 'cancellation appointments') there as well.
Top tip: Your learner insurance stops immediately when you pass the driving test, so you won't be able to drive again until you've secured new driver car insurance. In other words, don't drive home from the test!
Driving licence costs
The total cost of a driving licence in the UK is £119 if you take the driving test during the day on a weekday or £132 if you take the driving test during an evening, weekend or bank holiday. There are three components to this overall cost: the provisional driving licence costs £34, the theory test costs £23, and the driving test costs either £62 (during a weekday, daytime) or £75 (evening, weekend or bank holiday).
| Car driving licence costs | Weekdays | Evenings, weekends and bank holidays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New driver licence costs | |||
| Provisional driving licence | £34 | £34 | |
| Theory test | £23 | £23 | |
| Driving test | £62 | £75 | |
| Total | £119 | £132 | |
| Other driver licence costs | |||
| Renew driving licence (under age 70) | £14 | £14 | |
| Renew driving licence (age 70+) | £0 | £0 | |
| Extended driving test for disqualified drivers | £124 | £150 | |
| Replace lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licence | £20 | £20 | |
| Change address | £0 | £0 | |
| Change picture when updating address | £14 | £14 | |
If you do not pass the theory or driving test and need to retake it, you will need to pay again, driving up the total cost of your driving licence.
The cost to renew your full or provisional driving licence every 10 years is £14 online, £17 by post or £21.50 at a Post Office—if you're under age 70. Renewing a driving licence is free for those aged 70 or older. Renewing a licence should take around a week if you apply online.
The cost for an extended driving test for disqualified drivers is £124 (weekday, daytime) or £150 (evening, weekend or bank holiday).
The cost to replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licence is £20.
There is no cost to change address on driving licence; but if you want to change your picture while updating your address, the cost is £14. (You can also change your picture when you renew your licence.)