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DVLA GUIDE - Unofficial Guide to the DVLA Newly Qualified Drivers

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Jump To: Claiming a Driving Test Pass New Drivers Act About Pass Plus Legal Obligations of Driver and Keepers of Vehicle

Claiming a Driving Test Pass

Once you have passed your driving test (both theory and practical are needed), you'll need to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to exchange your test pass certificate and provisional driving licence for a new full driving licence as soon as possible.

The same is also true if you're the holder of a full driving licence and have passed a test for another vehicle, such as a lorry or bus. You'll need to return your test pass certificate with your driving licence to have the new driving entitlement added to your licence.
Beware of the time limit!

If you don't claim your test pass within two years of the date of your test, the driving entitlement, in which you gained the test pass, will be lost. You'll have to take and pass both parts of the driving test again for that category of vehicle if you wish to have it included on your driving licence.

Photocard Driving Licence

Apply by post

To notify DVLA of your driving test pass you'll need to complete the declaration on your test pass certificate and send it, together with your photocard driving licence, the D740 paper counterpart to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ.

If your name has changed since your last licence you'll also need to complete a D1 application form that is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Office branches. You'll also need to provide original documentation confirming your new name.

The same applies if you have a full driving licence and have passed another test for a different vehicle.

Paper Driving licences

Apply in person at a Post Office

The DVLA no longer issue paper driving licences and your new licence will be a photocard. If you're the holder of a provisional paper driving licence, you'll need to complete the declaration on your test pass certificate and the application form D1 that is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Offices branches. You will also need to provide original documentation confirming your identity and a passport style colour photograph.

When you're sure that you have what is needed, take them to a Post Office where your application will be checked, your identification passed back to you and your forms sent to DVLA for processing (there is a £4.00 charge for this service).
The same applies if you have a full paper driving licence and have passed another test for a different vehicle. However, there is no extra fee for this transaction other than the checking service fee.

• Identity documents and photograph criteria

Apply by Post

If you want to send your test pass certificate by post, enclose it with your completed application identification, photo, paper driving licence to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ.
How long your licence will take to be returned

DVLA aim to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It might take longer if they have to check on your health or personal details. Please allow at least three weeks for your licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.
Can you drive before your licence is returned?

Once the DVLA has received your valid application, the law allows you to drive before the licence arrives as long as:

• you have held a GB or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence
• you are not disqualified from driving (there are different rules for medium or large vehicles, minibus or bus drivers - the traffic commissioner for your area will decide whether to grant your entitlement to drive these vehicles)
• you have not been, and would not be, refused a licence for medical reasons
• you keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence

New Drivers Act

Your driving licence is automatically revoked if you build up six or more penalty points within two years of passing your first driving test. This includes any penalty points you had before passing the test, which are still valid. You'll have to reapply for your driving licence as a learner driver and resit your driving test.

Who does the act affect

This applies to drivers and motorcyclists from Great Britain (GB), Northern Ireland, European Community and European Economic Area (EC/EEA) countries, Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Gibraltar for a period of two years from passing their first driving test in these countries.

Drivers from designated countries

The act also applies to you if you have exchanged a driving licence issued in a designated country for a GB driving licence.

The first driving test you pass in this country for another type of vehicle eg a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) is treated as a first driving test. If you reach six or more penalty points within two years of passing this test, your driving licence will be revoked.

The designated countries are: Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

Getting your full driving licence back

To regain your full driving licence you must reapply for a provisional driving licence, pass the theory and practical driving tests again and claim your test pass.

Reapply for a provisional driving licence

You'll need to:

• complete ‘Application for a driving licence’ D1 (available from the DVLA form ordering service or Post Office? branches)
• tick the renewal box ‘Revoked under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 in section three on the D1 form
• pay the fee (see ‘renewal after revocation’ on the cost of a driving licence)
• post the D1 form to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AB

Your driving entitlement

Full entitlement to drive all categories of vehicle you previously held on your driving licence will only be reinstated when you pass a test in any one of your previously held entitlements.

If you successfully pass a test for entitlement to a category you have not previously held, you'll get a full driving licence for that category only.

Also, previously held HGV or PCV (passenger carrying vehicle) entitlement will only be reinstated after the approval of the Traffic Commissioner.

After passing your retest

It's important to remember that passing the retest:

• does not remove the penalty points from your driving licence
• the penalty points remain valid

Your driving licence can only be revoked once under the provisions of the act.

Appealing against the withdrawal of your driving licence

You can only appeal against the conviction that led to you getting the six penalty points. Contact the convicting court for advice on how to appeal.

About Pass Plus

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers. Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years of passing their test due to a lack of driving experience - this is where Pass Plus comes in! The course aims to build upon your newly acquired driving skills and knowledge.

What is Pass Plus?

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers, designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry. Pass Plus will build upon your existing skills and knowledge, it will teach you how to anticipate, plan for and deal with all kinds of hazards, and can help you to become more confident on the roads.

Pass Plus is made up of six practical modules which include:

• driving in town
• driving in all weathers
• driving on rural roads
• driving at night
• driving on dual carriageways
• driving on motorways

Anyone who holds a full UK licence is eligible to take part in the scheme. You will not have to take a test at the end of the course but you will be continually assessed. You must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved or exceeded standard.
How much does Pass Plus cost?

Fees for the Pass Plus course will vary depending on where you live and the instructor or driving school you choose. You should bear in mind that the course will take a minimum of six hours, if more sessions are needed for you to successfully complete the course, this may add to the cost.

When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course.

For more information about Pass Plus please visit the Pass Plus website by clicking on the link below.

Legal Obligations of Driver and Keepers of Vehicle

There are duties and obligations you must meet before driving or keeping a vehicle on the road. You must also tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any changes to your personal or vehicle details.
Before you drive or ride

To drive or ride a vehicle or motorcycle you must:

• hold the appropriate driving licence for the vehicle being driven
• meet driver minimum age requirements
• meet the legal eyesight standards

As a learner driver you must:

• be supervised by a qualified driver (not if riding a motorcycle)
• display L plates

Before taking a vehicle on the road the vehicle must:

• be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• have a valid vehicle tax disc
• hold a current test certificate (if this is required)

and you must:

• have the minimum of third party insurance which covers your use of the vehicle

Tell DVLA of changes

You must tell the DVLA if you:

• change your address and or name
• make any alterations to your vehicle
• sell your vehicle
•   develop or have a medical condition

Driving larger vehicles or buses

There are higher eyesight and medical standards for driving larger vehicles. You must also notify the DVLA if you have convictions relating to your driving conduct or if you have convictions not relating to driving if you are the holder of a passenger carrying vehicle.