How to Fill in Your Application for a Driving Licence (D1) - Section-by-Section Guidance

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper

Step-by-step guidance for completing the DVLA Application for a driving licence (D1), covering what applicants are applying for and the required supporting information across multiple sections. Includes details on eligibility for a GB licence, normally resident requirements, identity and photo signing rules, and how to handle cases such as name/address changes and replacing lost or damaged documents. Provides specific driving licence categories and age minimums for learners.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Filling in the form

Section 1 – What are you applying for?

Section 2 – Your details

Section 3 – Your eyesight

Section 4 – Your health

Section 5 – Your proof of identity

Section 6 – Signing a photo to verify identity (if necessary)

Your photo

Section 7 – Your declaration

General information

Lorry or bus licences

Licences from other countries

Premium Checking Service at the Post Office®

Premium Checking Service at DVLA local offices

Plastic wallets

Returning your identity documents

How to fill in your Application for a driving licence ( D1) For more information or to apply online go to [www.direct.gov.uk/driving](www.direct.gov.uk/driving) Contents Filling in the form Section 1 – What are you applying for? ...................................... 4 Section 2 – Your details ................................................................................ 7 Section 3 – Your eyesight ........................................................................... 7 – Organ donation ..................................................................... 7 Section 4 – Your health ................................................................................. 8 Section 5 – Your proof of identity ...................................................... 8 Section 6 – Signing a photo to verify identity (if necessary) ........................................................................... 10 – Your photo ............................................................................... 11 Section 7 – Your declaration ................................................................ 12 General information Lorry or bus licences ..................................................................................... 12 Licences from other countries ............................................................. 12 Premium Checking Service at the Post Office® ................... 12 Premium Checking Service at DVLA local offices .......... 13 Plastic wallets ........................................................................................................ 14 Returning your identity documents ................................................ 14 Please note that for confidentiality reasons, it isnot possible to release driver numbers or personal details from your driving record via email replies. Important You can only get a GB driving licence if you are normally resident in the United Kingdom. To be normally resident you must usually live in the United Kingdom for 185 days in each calendar year. Applicants who are not UK citizens or nationals of another EU or EEA country will not be considered normally resident if they: • do not have leave to remain in the UK, or • are in the country on a temporary basis without leave to remain either while awaiting a decision to stay in the UK or following a decision refusing such an application. If you have a GB photocard licence (or Northern Ireland photocard valid from 1 April 1999 that you wish to exchange): • You do not need to provide proof of your identity unless you are letting us know about a change of name. • GB licence holders do not need to provide a new photo unless the photo on the licence is due to be renewed or you choose to do so. • If you are a GB licence holder you can change your photo when applying for a new driving licence and your new photo will then be valid for a new ten-year period. It may be possible to do this at no extra cost, saving you a further renewal fee when your current photo expires. See note G‘Driving licence fees and where to send your application’on your D1 application form. If you have a GB paper licence: • We now only issue photocard licences. • If you do not have a photocard licence, you must provide a photo and proof of your identity. Apply online: You can now apply for many of the transactions online. Wherever you see this icon, you can apply online at the website address given. Section 1 – What are you applying for? A first provisional (learner) licence (with a view to passing a test) [www.direct.gov.uk/provisional](www.direct.gov.uk/provisional) All provisional licences allow you to learn to drive or ride (when you meet the minimum age limit): • motorcycles (category A (minimum age 17)) • cars (category B (minimum age 17)) • agricultural tractors (category F (minimum age 16)) • mowing machines (category K (minimum age 16)), and • mopeds (category P (minimum age

FAQs

What is covered by the D1 application form sections?

The form is organized into sections covering what you are applying for, your details, eyesight, health, proof of identity, photo verification (if needed), and your declaration.

What are the residency requirements for a GB driving licence?

You must usually live in the United Kingdom for 185 days in each calendar year, with additional rules for applicants without leave to remain or on a temporary basis while awaiting decisions.

What should you do if you need to replace a licence that was lost, stolen, defaced, or destroyed?

Apply for a replacement licence by marking the appropriate box and follow the stated guidance for providing the correct parts and paying the relevant fee where applicable.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Dipper