What is No-Claims Bonus
Expert Verified • Author: Geoff Tooze - CEO & FCA-Approved • By: Verity Hogan - Personal Finance Editor • Updated: 2 June 2025
What is young driver insurance?
“Young driver insurance is car insurance for motorists aged 17–25, typically priced higher due to limited driving history and greater accident risk.”
Young Driver Insurance
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Book your theory test quickly and easily online at GOV.UK, or at nidirect if you live in Northern Ireland.
The theory test checks your Highway Code knowledge and hazard perception before you can take the practical test. To book, you’ll need your provisional driving licence details, a debit or credit card to pay the £23 fee, and an email address for confirmation.
Book online using the official sites below.
🔗 Official government website – opens in new tab
Came here to change or cancel a booking?
1. Get your quotes
Fill one simple form to compare young driver insurance across 120+ insurers
2. Compare policies
See the different types of cover available and choose monthly or annual payments
3. Buy online
Pick the best deal and buy online, you could be covered in minutes
Types of young driver insurance
Different drivers need different cover. Here is a quick overview of the main options available.
Ready to see your options? One simple form compares quotes from over 120 insurers so you can find cover that fits your budget.
No black box car insurance
Prefer not to be monitored? Find insurers who do not require a black box.
Learner driver insurance
Get cover for private practice in a friend’s or family member’s car.
Temporary car insurance (coming soon)
Short term cover from one day to a few weeks, ideal for borrowing a car
Courier insurance
Policies designed for young drivers delivering parcels, food, or other goods.
Student car insurance (coming soon)
Flexible options whether you are at home, at uni, or splitting time between both
How much is a provisional driving licence?
England, Scotland and Wales
- Apply online: £34
- Apply by post: £43
Northern Ireland
- Apply online or by post: £62.50
Applying by post (England, Scotland and Wales)
If you’d rather apply by post or don’t have the right documents to use the online service, don’t panic — it’s still straightforward, but it will take longer.
Use the D1 form available at your local Post Office or ordered from GOV.UK. When you apply for your provisional licence by post, you’ll need to send in your photo ID, original documents, and pay by cheque or postal order.
Screenshot this: How to get your provisional licence
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- 1. Check that you’re eligible
- You must be 15 years 9 months or older
You can drive a car at 17, or at 16 if you get PIP at the enhanced rate - 2. Get your documents ready
- UK passport (easiest), or other ID
Your last 3 years address history - 3. Apply online at GOV.UK (£34)
- Or by post if you don’t have a passport (£43)
- 4. Pay by card (online)
- Or by cheque/postal order if posting
- 5. Wait for your licencea week if you apply online
- Up to 3 weeks by post
- 6. Only use the official GOV.UK or NI Direct websites
- Never apply through third-party services — they charge extra for no reason
Ready to go? Save this list — and you’ll have everything you need. No faff
Who can apply for a provisional driving licence?
You can apply if:
- You’re at least 15 years and 9 months old
But remember, you can’t drive a car until you’re 17 (or 16 if you get the enhanced rate of PIP) - You’re a UK resident with the right to live here
- You can read a number plate from 20 metres away
(with glasses or contacts if needed) - You have a UK passport or other form of accepted ID
- You can ride a moped from age 16, with the right training and licence
- You can apply if you have a disability or medical condition — just check the GOV.UK medical rules first
Once your provisional licence arrives, you can legally start learning to drive the vehicle categories listed on your licence for your age, as long as you’re supervised and display L plates.
What documents do you need to apply?
Before you start your application, make sure you have:
Be ready to provide your personal details and address history from the last three years when you apply.
- A UK biometric passport
(If you don’t have one, you can still apply — but you’ll need to send other identity documents) - Your National Insurance number
(This helps DVLA verify your identity, but it’s not essential) - Your address history from the last 3 years
- A debit or credit card
(You’ll need this to pay the application fee online)
Apply for your provisional licence on the Official DVLA website at GOV.UK
Official government website – opens in new tab
Getting a provisional licence with a disability or medical condition
Having a medical condition doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get a provisional licence, but some conditions must be declared to the DVLA.
This includes both physical and mental health conditions including epilepsy, diabetes (depending on how it’s treated), and depression or severe anxiety that could affect your driving.
If you’re not sure whether you need to declare something, it’s always best to check official guidance:
Apply for your provisional licence on GOV.UK
Official government website – opens in new tab
UK provisional driving licence for foreigners
If you move to the UK, you can apply for a UK provisional driving licence for foreigners as soon as your visa or immigration status allows you to live here for at least 185 days.
Getting the licence is straightforward, once it arrives, you can start driving lessons straight away.
However, you cannot book or take the theory or practical driving test until you have actually lived in the UK for 185 days within the past 12 months.
It doesn’t matter if your visa is long enough, you must already have been resident for six months before you can take a test.
This rule applies to everyone – EU, EEA, and all other nationalities.
Avoid unofficial websites and over‑priced services
Only use the official GOV.UK or nidirect websites when applying for a provisional licence, or when booking a theory or driving test.
Third‑party websites may charge extra fees to submit your application but do not give you any additional benefits.
To stay safe:
Look for .gov.uk or .nidirect.gov.uk in the web address.
Avoid sites that claim to “fast‑track” your application or booking for a higher fee.
Using unofficial sites can mean paying far more than necessary, with no faster service.
What to expect when your licence arrives
When you apply for a provisional licence, you’ll receive a photocard driving licence in the post about a week later.
There’s no digital-only version yet, but DVLA hopes to introduce digital licences
later this year (2025). Official government website – opens in new tab
Delivery times:
When you apply online — your licence usually arrives within a week
When you apply by post — it can take up to 3 weeks
Once it arrives, keep your photocard safe. You’ll need it for lessons, your practical test, and as proof of ID.
If you lose it while out or accidentally damage it, you’ll need to replace or renew it through GOV.UK (see FAQs below).
With your licence in hand, you can start learning to drive straight away as long as you’re supervised and displaying L plates.
Can a parent apply for you?
Yes, your parent or guardian can help you apply, but they’ll need your permission first.
Here’s what they can do to help:
Fill out the application with your details
Help you find your National Insurance number and address history
Pay for the licence using their debit or credit card
Just make sure all the information is correct and belongs to you — the licence will be issued in your name.
Book your theory test
How to book, change, or cancel it and what to bring on the day
Learner driver insurance explained
When learning with family or friends, you’ll need learner driver insurance for your practice
Choosing a driving instructor
What to look for and how to avoid wasting money on the wrong driving instructor
❓ FAQs about provisional licences
What age can I apply for a provisional licence?
You can apply when you’re 15 years and 9 months old, but you can’t drive a car until you’re 17 — unless you get the enhanced rate of PIP, in which case you can start at 16.
Can I ride a moped at 16?
Yes — you can ride a moped from age 16 as long as you have a provisional licence and complete Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).
Do I need learner driver insurance?
Yes — if you want to practise driving in a private car (with a family member or friend), you’ll need learner driver insurance.
Can foreign nationals apply for a UK provisional licence?
Yes — but you must have lived in the UK for at least 185 days in the last 12 months and meet the usual eligibility rules.
👉 Apply for a provisional licence – GOV.UK Official government website – opens in new tab
Can I track my provisional licence application?
Yes — if you applied online, you can track your application through GOV.UK:
👉 Track your driving licence application – GOV.UK
🔗 Official government website – opens in new tab
How much does it cost to renew or replace a provisional licence?
To replace a lost or damaged card: £20
Apply through GOV.UK
Do I need to get my eyes tested before starting lessons?
Not officially — but your instructor will check your eyesight during your first lesson.
You’ll also be tested at the start of your driving test, where you must read a number plate from 20 metres.