You’re ready to learn how to drive, but before you get started booking any lessons or going for a spin in your parent’s car, you will need a provisional licence.
Here we will explain how to apply for a provisional licence, how much it costs, and everything that you need to know about using one in Northern Ireland.
How to apply for a provisional licence in Northern Ireland
Applying for a provisional driving licence is a straightforward process, all you need to do is visit the Northern Ireland government website. From here, you will see the different ways in which you can apply for your licence.
Whilst you can apply by post, you will receive your licence quicker by applying online. All you will need to do so is:
- A NIDirect account (you’ll need to verify your identity to get a licence)
- A digital photo or photo code
- An email address of an authorised person to verify your identity
- A credit or debit card
How old do I need to be to apply for a provisional driving licence?
You can apply for your provisional driving licence in Northern Ireland up to two months before your 17th birthday.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that you will not be able to start driving until the day of your birthday.
How long does my provisional licence last for?
Your provisional licence will expire every ten years. For clarity, the date is detailed on the 4b section on the plastic card part of your driving licence.
How much is a provisional driving licence in Northern Ireland?
Your first provisional licence will cost £62.50. Should you need to renew your provisional because it expires, this will set you back £30. If you underpay, your application will be returned and you will be asked to pay the correct fee.
Paying online to the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) is the quickest and safest way to ensure you receive your provisional licence as soon as possible.
What happens if I’ve lost my provisional driving licence?
If you lose your provisional licence, or even if you deface the card or paper counterpart, you must apply for a new one straight away.
Luckily this is an easy process. All you need to do is apply online and a new one will be sent out once you do the following:
- Complete a DL1 ‘application for a driving licence’ form, available from main Post Office branches (note that this form is not downloadable)
- Include any remaining part of your licence
- Send your completed application and £30 fee to the DVA
Should you find your old driving licence during the application process, or after your new one has arrived, you will need to return it to the DVA with an explanation as to why this card is no longer valid.
Who can sign a provisional licence?
When applying for a provisional driving licence, you will need to have the back of your photo signed. However, the person signing it will need to meet the following criteria:
- Live in the UK
- Know you personally for at least two years
- Can’t be a relative
- Must hold a NI driving licence issued after 1st April 1999
The person signing your photo also needs to fill in section eight of your DL1 application form. The DVA makes random checks on people who sign photocard driving licence applications. They will also need to be employed as one of the following, as stipulated on the NI Direct website:
- Lay magistrate or Justice of the Peace
- A minister of religion
- A professionally qualified person (e.g. a lawyer, teacher or engineer)
- A librarian
- Local business person or shopkeeper
- Local councillor, MP, MLA, or MEP
- Bank or building society officer
- An established civil servant
- Police officer
- Any person in employment or position of trust which requires Accessni conduct checks
- Any other person in a position of responsibility if you’re unable to get your photo signed by any of the above
How do I change my address on my provisional driving licence?
If you change your address, you must let the DVA know so they can keep your records up to date. Luckily you can do this online; all you need is your email address, login details and a credit or debit card should you need to pay.
Get learner driver insurance from 77p per day
When you’re learning to drive, it’s important that you take out learner driver insurance for any private practice. At Sterling NI, our learner driver insurance starts from 77p a day. Unlike many other providers, you can start building a no claims bonus as a learner, which can help reduce your young driver insurance. Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote.
