I'm violently confused - when can I apply for my provisional license?

[William93]

Hi, I am 17 in May and I am looking forward to driving.

Now, I've spoken to many people and have done research online but I am totally unclear as to when I can apply for my license.

Some say I can apply now - because I am 16 and could easily apply for a bike and that, it's the same thing.

On other sites it says I can apply 3 months before, others say 2 months, other say when I am 17. Can somebody clear it up?

[Sammeth.]

Minimum age you can take a test

You can take your theory test once your provisional licence becomes valid.
Normally, for car drivers, the earliest date your provisional licence can become valid is your 17th birthday, however you can apply for the licence up to three months before your 17th birthday.
So, if you apply for your provisional licence before you are 17 you will still have to wait until your birthday before you can take your theory test.
For more information about applying for a provisional licence, please click on the link below.


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/DG_4022661

[William93]

So basically, in February.

[Sammeth.]

So basically, in February.
One would assume

[Martin]

Sammeth. is correct! :D

You can apply for your provisional exactly 3 months before your 17th birthday.

My birthday was the 11th of december I applied on the 11th of september. (That was like 2 years ago cos im 19 now)


I don't think it comes into effect until your actual birthday though.


Good luck! Driving is fun! :D

[ColyTom]

I ordered mine when I was 16 and it arrived when I was 16 but it wasn't validated untill I was 17.

[tdi]

if you're 16 you apply for your licence and you can get it, legally you can drive a moped up to 50CC but can't drive a car until you're 17. you use the same licence, but you're not allowed to drive a car until you're 17.

long story short, you can get it now.

[Agnostic Bear]

You can get a provisional license and learn to drive at 16 if you are entitled to dla's higher mobility rate, if not, 17.

[Yoshimitsui]

As others have said, it's 3 months before your seventeenth birthday.

[tdi]

no.. it's as soon as you're 16, as it's the same licence for mopeds as it is for cars. I got mine when I was 16. I didn't have a moped, I just got it because I had some money lying around, still have it now.

[Yoshimitsui]

Well that's when mine came! And i don't see how you still have it, you have it removed once passing your test.

[tdi]

Well that's when mine came! And i don't see how you still have it, you have it removed once passing your test.
yeah, it came when i was 16 and a few months, used it when i was learning to drive then got sent my full license when i passed. :P

[Jay.]

You need to be 17 to learn to drive?!

[Yoshimitsui]

You need to be 17 to learn to drive?!

Yes, unless you're being sarcastic.

[tdi]

you need to be 17 to learn to drive A CAR. at 16, you are allowed to drive mopeds up to 50cc after passing a CBT. The same license is used for both of these thus enabling you to apply for your license as soon as you're 16 (possibly 3 months before, idk.) so you can drive a moped if you wish. Then, as soon as you're 17, you have your license and can start learning to drive.