- £34 online, £43 by post using form D1 from a Post Office.
- A full licence after the practical test is free online.
- A replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged licence is £20.
The fee
| How you apply | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online | £34 |
| By post, on form D1 from a Post Office | £43 |
An online licence should arrive within one week, unless DVLA needs to make extra checks. Online payment is by credit or debit card, and DVLA emails you a confirmation after you submit.
Adding up the whole legal route
A car driver pays the provisional fee, the £23 theory test and a practical test at £62 to £75. Adding those GOV.UK fees together gives between £119 and £132 online, plus any lessons you choose to take, and the full licence after the test is free online. Compare it with the roughly £600 that Which? found in the fake licence adverts it collected in January 2024.
Other licence fees, for comparison
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Replacement licence (lost, stolen, damaged) | £20 |
| Standard renewal online | £14 |
| Renewal at 70 or over | Free |
| Restoring a licence after a general disqualification, by post | £65 |
These come from the GOV.UK fees page. If a site charges more for the same service, it is an intermediary or worse.
What the form asks for
You need to be old enough (see provisional licence age), able to read a number plate from 20 metres, and have permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days. You may be asked to prove identity with photo ID at sign-in. Those conditions are the reason a seller cannot simply “register” you.
Two-minute checks
- The page is on gov.uk and shows £34 or £43.
- You enter your details inside the service, not in a chat.
- No one adds a “priority” fee.
Fake provisional licences
A provisional licence is the one document nobody needs to buy. The scam version is covered in buying a provisional licence. The test fees follow in theory test cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a provisional driving licence?
£34 online or £43 by post, according to GOV.UK (checked 5 October 2026).
How long does a provisional licence take?
An online application should arrive within one week unless extra checks are needed.
Is a provisional licence free in any case?
We did not find one. Treat any claim of a free or discounted licence with suspicion.
How much does the whole route to a full licence cost?
At least £119 for a car driver: £34 provisional licence, £23 theory test and £62 practical test. The full licence after the test is free online. Lessons cost extra.
How much is a replacement driving licence?
£20 for a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence, according to GOV.UK.
Do I need photo ID to apply online?
You may be asked to prove your identity with photo ID such as a passport when you sign in to the DVLA service.