Getting your full uk driving licence
When you pass your practical driving test, DVLA will usually send you your full licence automatically.
After the test, the examiner will:
- Take your provisional photocard driving licence.
- Give you a driving test pass certificate.
- Arrange for DVLA to send you your full licence.
You can start driving as soon as you’ve passed the practical test.
While you wait for the full uk licence to arrive, you can use the driving test pass certificate to prove you passed.
When you need to apply for a full licence
You only need to apply for your full licence if:
- you did not give your provisional photocard driving licence to the examiner after the test, for example because you need to use it as ID
- you changed your name or address and it’s now different from the name or address on the provisional photocard driving licence
- you have an old-style provisional driving licence (one issued before 1998)
Otherwise, it’ll be sent to you automatically.
How to apply
If you’re applying for a full licence, you need to:
- sign the declaration on your driving test pass certificate
- D1 ‘application for a driving licence’ – you can get one DVLA services
- include original documents confirming your identity
- include a passport photograph (only if you have a paper provisional licence)
- include your provisional licence
If you’re applying for a full uk licence , you must send documents to our DVLA Service within 2 years of passing your test or you’ll have to take it again.