How to Apply for a British Driving Licence Online

Applying for a British driving licence online is designed to be a hassle-free experience, providing a convenient pathway to legally driving on UK roads.

In this article, we explore the essential steps required to complete your application online, putting you on the fast track to getting your licence.

Table of contents

• Can I renew my British driving licence online? Eligibility and requirements
• Who can apply for a UK driving licence online
• Documents you need to apply online
• How to apply for a provisional licence online
• Upgrading from provisional to full licence
• DVLA online application process: step by step
• Digital driving licence photo requirements
• Get a photo for your UK driving licence online!
• UK Driving Licence Photo App
• How much does the online driving licence application cost?
• Online driving licence processing time
• FAQ

Can I renew my British driving licence online? Eligibility and requirements

You can renew your licence online using the official GOV.UK website. To qualify for the UK driving licence online renewal, you need to meet certain conditions and provide specific information:

• You must live in Great Britain. A separate service is available if you reside in Northern Ireland.
• You must not be banned from driving.
• You can renew both full and provisional photo driving licences, which need renewing every 10 years.
• Your name or title must be unchanged since your current licence was issued. If it has changed, you'll need to renew by mail or at a Post Office instead of online.

Can I renew my British passport online from overseas? — Yes, you can renew your UK driving license from abroad. To do so, you will need to fill out the application form on the official UK Passport Office website and upload a digital passport photo. After submitting your application online, you'll need to courier your current passport and any necessary documents to the HM Passport Office in the UK for processing. Generally, the process takes about 3 to 4 weeks, but during busy periods or if further details are required, it might take 6 weeks or longer. Once ready, your new passport will be sent to your overseas address.

Who can apply for a UK driving licence online

Check if you meet the following conditions:

• You're applying for your first provisional driving licence.
• You are at least 15 years and 9 months old.
• You can read a car number plate from 20 metres away.
• You've been authorised to live in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) for at least 185 days.
• You have valid identification, such as a UK passport (including one that expired within the last year), a non-UK passport, a biometric residence card, or a national ID card.
• You can provide your National Insurance number if available.
• You can list the addresses where you've lived for the past three years.

Documents you need to apply online

You will need the following documents and details:

• A valid UK passport (required if you want to update your licence photo).
• Addresses for where you've lived over the last three years.
• Your National Insurance number (if you have it).
• Your current driving licence (or a reason for not having it).
• A debit or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Electron, or Delta) for the fee, unless you're over 70 or have a short-period medical licence.
• Additionally, you'll need an email address and to create or log into a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) account to complete the online application.

How to apply for a provisional licence online

To get your provisional driving licence online in the UK, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Gather necessary information and documents.
2. Visit the official GOV.UK website for provisional driving licence applications and either log in or set up an account.
3. Complete the online form: Answer the eligibility questions and fill in your personal information.
4. Provide details from your identity document to verify your identity. Add or verify your photo and signature details.
5. Pay the fee online.
6. Submit your application.
7. Once you submit your application, you'll get a confirmation email from the DVLA.

With your provisional licence, you're ready to begin driving lessons and schedule driving tests as needed.

Upgrading from provisional to full licence

After successfully passing your UK practical driving test, upgrading from a provisional to a full driving licence is generally straightforward:

1. At the test centre, the driving examiner will take your provisional photocard driving licence.
2. You will immediately receive a certificate proving you passed the test.
3. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will automatically send your full driving licence to you, usually within a few weeks.
4. You can start driving right after passing your test, even if your full licence hasn't arrived yet, using your test pass certificate as proof.

DVLA online application process: step by step

The DVLA and GOV.UK online application processes for provisional driving licences are essentially the same. They both refer to the same official online system for applying for provisional licences and related services.

Applying for a UK driving licence online through the DVLA involves these steps:

1. Visit the GOV.UK website and navigate to the DVLA section.
2. Click on “Driving Licences” and choose “Apply for your first driving licence”, then hit “Start now” to commence your application.
3. Register or log in to your account.
4. Respond to questions confirming your eligibility.
5. Enter personal details, including your name, date of birth, and addresses you've resided in over the past three years.
6. Provide details for identity verification. Upload or confirm a valid photo and signature for your licence.
7. Pay the required application fee.
8. Submit your application and await the delivery of your licence.

Digital driving licence photo requirements

For a successful application, follow these rules for a UK driving licence photo:

• The image should be a minimum of 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels high, ideally 900×1200 pixels, with a resolution of 600 DPI. The printed size should be 35×45 mm on the card.
• The file size for the photo should be between 50 KB and 10 MB.
• Ensure the photo is in colour and has been taken within the last month.
• The background must be plain and light-coloured, without patterns, noticeable shadows, or extraneous objects.
• Lighting must be consistent, without strong shadows or excessive brightness.
• Your photo should capture your head, shoulders, and upper body.
• Maintain a neutral expression with eyes open and mouth closed. Hair should not obscure your face; eyes must be fully visible.
• Headwear is only allowed for religious or medical reasons.

Here is a photo example:

What to write on the back of a driving licence photo online? — There’s no need to write anything on the back of your photo when applying for a UK driving licence online. You'll need to upload a digital photo or provide a photo code, so no physical photo is needed, and nothing should be written on the back.

Get a photo for your UK driving licence online!

Can you take your own driving licence photo? Absolutely! With today's smartphones and online tools, it's quite feasible. For instance, Visafoto.com allows you to take a suitable photo right from your home. Specialising in processing document photos since 2013, Visafoto is well-versed with the requirements for passports, visas, driving licences, and various other documents worldwide.

Simply take a photo following the specified guidelines and upload it to our online tool. We’ll handle format, background, size, and dimensions for you. You'll receive a digital version for online applications as well as a print-ready copy.

Take a photo of yours like this one:

Visafoto will instantly provide you with 2 types of images:

If you're unhappy with the results, we offer a free photo replacement. Should the photo not be accepted by officials, we will provide a full refund.

UK Driving Licence Photo App

Meet the 7ID App from Visafoto.com, another great go-to solution for creating perfect driving licence photos right from your smartphone. Compatible with both iPhone and Android devices, this app simplifies the process of creating ID, passport, and visa photos.

Using 7ID is a breeze: just upload your photo, choose the type of document and country, and the app will automatically adjust your image to meet official requirements, including the right dimensions, format, background colour, and accurate face and eye positioning.

You'll get both a digital version and a print-ready template compatible with standard paper sizes such as 4×6, A4, A5, or B5. Plus, our technical support team is available 24/7 to assist you.

How much does the online driving licence application cost?

The fee for applying online for your first provisional driving licence for a car, motorcycle, or moped is GBP 34. Renewing a photocard driving licence online costs GBP 14. However, renewal is free for drivers who are 70 or older, provided they meet the necessary medical standards.

Online driving licence processing time

When you apply for a UK driving licence online, you can generally expect to receive it within 5 days after your application. For provisional licences, the standard processing duration is typically about a week following the online application, but it might take longer if the DVLA needs to perform extra checks.

FAQ

Can I apply for a UK driving licence online if I don’t have a passport?

Absolutely, you can apply for a UK driving licence online even if you don't hold a passport. Instead, you can use other valid identification documents like a non-UK passport, a biometric residence permit or card, a national ID card, or documents showing your immigration status. A certificate of naturalisation or a birth/adoption certificate could work as well. You might also need to provide your National Insurance number and a record of where you've lived over the past three years to confirm your identity.

Do I need to send any physical documents when applying online?

Generally, you don't need to send any physical documents when you apply for a UK driving licence online. By providing your identity document number and other necessary details online, the process speeds up and usually eliminates the necessity of postal identity verification.

Can I change my name on a UK driving licence online?

No, you cannot change your name on a UK driving licence through the online service. To update your name, you'll need to fill out a D1 application form and mail it to the DVLA along with your current driving licence and original documents that verify your name change, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.

Do I need to take a driving test before applying online?

No driving test is needed before applying online for a provisional driving licence in the UK. You can submit your application for the first provisional licence online once you meet the eligibility requirements (like being at least 15 years and 9 months old and having the ability to read a number plate from 20 metres away). After obtaining your provisional licence, you can start learning to drive and schedule your driving tests separately.

I’ve changed my address. How to update this information?

You can easily update a driving licence address online at no cost using the DVLA’s official service. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your current driving licence.
• Your driving licence number.
• Your National Insurance number and passport number (if available).
• Addresses you’ve lived at in the past three years.

After submitting your application, you’ll receive an email confirmation, and your updated licence should arrive within about two weeks. You're allowed to continue driving while you wait for it. Once your new licence arrives, you should cut your old licence in half and return it to the DVLA.

Note: If you're also changing your name, you'll need to apply by mail. Failing to update your address could result in a fine of up to GBP 1000.

I’ve lost my provisional licence. Can I order a replacement online?

Yes, you can replace a lost driving licence in the UK online. The process includes:

• Applying via the DVLA’s official online service.
• Paying a replacement fee of GBP 20.
• Providing your driving licence number, National Insurance number, passport number (if you have it), and addresses for the past 3 years.
• Being a resident of Great Britain and not disqualified from driving.
• If your licence is set to expire within the next 2 years, you might have the option to update your photo using your passport photo.

After applying, you’ll get a confirmation email, and your replacement licence should arrive within roughly one week. If your licence was stolen, report it to the police before seeking a replacement.

Can non-UK residents apply for a driving licence online?

Typically, non-UK residents cannot apply for a UK driving licence online unless they have been living in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) for at least 185 consecutive days. Residency is an essential requirement for applying online.

If you’re not a resident or have lived in the UK for under 185 days, you are usually ineligible to apply for a provisional driving licence online. Instead, visitors can drive using their international driving permit or a valid foreign licence for a limited period.