Everything you need to know about the UK driving licence

Beginning from the basics, a UK driving licence is a formal certificate that permits its bearer to handle motorized vehicles on communal roads such as an expressway. Keeping in mind that the United Kingdom is comprised of Northern Ireland and Great Britain, there are two different agencies in charge of issuing driving licences.

In Northern Ireland, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) is responsible for the issuance of driving licences. On the other hand, in Great Britain, the administration of licences is done by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

A driving licence is a mandatory certificate to possess for any individual driving a vehicle on any public road in the UK.

1. What are the steps to obtain the driving licence in the UK?
2. Types Of Driving Licenses
3. How To Obtain a Driving License in The United Kingdom?
4. How To Renew a Driving License?

What are the steps to obtain the driving licence in the UK?

Check if you can drive (Check what age you can drive, Requirements for driving legally, Driving eyesight rules)
Get a provisional driving licence.
Learn to drive and prepare for the theory test
Book the theory test (£23, you must have provisional driving licence to book theory test)
Book your driving test (£62 to £75, you must have passed the theory test to book the driving test)
You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test. You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.

Types of driving licences

There are multiple kinds of driving licenses in the UK, all falling under different categorizations. However, in this case, we will focus on the standard classification.

1. The AM Class

The AM categorization implies that you can control a vehicle with either two or three wheels. These vehicles move at a speed between 15.5 and 28 miles per hour. In addition to this, these two or three-wheeled motor vehicles should not exceed a weight of 350 kilograms, exclusive of batteries.

2. The B Class

This classification allows you to drive any sort of motor vehicle. You are allowed to handle cars that bear a maximum authorized mass of 3,500 kilograms, with the topmost number of commuter seats being eight. If you possess a driving licence under category B and you are above the age of 21, you can practically control a three-wheeled tricycle with a power volume exceeding 15 kilowatts.

3. The F Class

This F categorization of driving licenses allows the owner to drive a farming tractor.

4. The K Class

Possession of a driving license under the K category implies that you are allowed to drive a pedestrian-managed vehicle. Such vehicles are mainly self-moving, a good example being a mower.

5. The Q Class

This classification of driving licences authorizes the holder to handle a two-wheeled vehicle whose engine magnitude does not exceed 50 cubic centimetres. Also, this vehicle’s maximum speed should be 15 miles per hour.

How to obtain a driving license in the United Kingdom?

Registering for your provisional driving license (initial driving licence that allows you to learn how to drive) requires you to:

At least be 3 months away from turning 16 years old.
Possess the ability to read a license plate from a distance of 20 metres.
Have lawfully resided in the United Kingdom for a cumulative minimum of 185 days within the past year.
Visit the official website to learn more.

On the other hand, to obtain a full driving license while in possession of a provisional one, you need to:

Fill a proclamation on the pass credentials of your driving evaluation.
Fill a request form regarding getting a full driving license.
Documentation proving your identity.
Submit a passport photo.
Visit official website to learn more.

How To Renew a Driving License?

Renewal of a driving license is easy, especially if you own an authentic United Kingdom passport. If you would like to renew your license online, you should:

Have a legal United Kingdom passport.
Be an inhabitant of either Wales, England, or Scotland.
Have your present driving license.
Have your public insurance number.
Provide the inscription of your residence for the past 3 years.
Make a mobile payment of £14.

For your ID photos, we advise you to use Smartphone iD, our online biometric ID photo app available on the Apple or Google Play Store. You will get 100% guaranteed photos in a matter of minutes.

Note that if you are over 70 years old, the application procedure will be different.

More information on how to renew a licence.