You can apply for your provisional driving licence up to two months in advance of your 17th birthday, but you can’t actually start driving until your birthday. It normally takes about three weeks to get your licence once you have submitted the application.
The application process is fairly straight forward. You will need to fill in the DL1 application form in black ink and block capitals. This can be picked up from a main Post Office branches or posted out from Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) you can call them on 0300 200 7861. The application form comes with handy guidance notes, so be sure to grab a copy of them as they will assist you in your application.
You will need to include original documentation confirming your identity, a passport style colour photograph and the current fee of £62.50.
Send your completed application and payment to:
Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA)
Driver Licensing,
Coleraine County Hall,
Castlerock Road,
Waterside,
Coleraine.
BT51 3TB
Applying for a Northern Ireland Driving Licence online.
If you prefer to complete your provisional driving licence application online, this can be done so via NI Direct. An online application is much quicker than postal, so if you are in a hurry this may be the best option for you, in order to do so you need to have a verified NI Direct account.
Be Aware!
Be careful to avoid several official sounding third party sites that will submit your application online.
