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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

When to apply for a provisional driving license?

25 replies

RedPandaWanda · 16/01/2022 17:23

Ds is 17 beginning of October and keeps badgering me to apply for his provisional now as he says he’s heard there is a long delay due to Covid and he is so eager to start learning to drive on his 17th birthday (we are paying for him to have a intensive course starting on his 17th).
I’ve just tried to apply but it says that as he’s under 17 he can only get a provisional to cover a moped.
I can’t find out if this then covers him for a car once he reaches 17 or if I will need to pay for another provisional for a car once he hits 17.
He won’t be driving a moped so I don’t want to be paying £34 now for nothing.
Can you not apply for a provisional car driving license before the age of 17?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 16/01/2022 17:27

This suggests if you apply now then it will cover him for a moped up to age 17 and then use the same licence for a car

When to apply for a provisional driving license?
skyblueone · 16/01/2022 17:27

My dd was 17 in December, we applied online in early October and the license arrived last Tuesday so it took 3 months.

skyblueone · 16/01/2022 17:29

I would make enquiries with driving instructors early if I was you, I got dd on a waiting list at the end of November and she has her first lesson in 2 weeks.

BunnyRuddington · 16/01/2022 17:34

We applied in Feb last year and it took about 6 weeks.

Definitely get him on the waiting list with a decent instructor though. It took far longer to secure lessons for us than get the licence.

BethDutton · 26/01/2022 15:23

We are still waiting for a provisional driving license, sent the application 11 weeks ago recorded delivery. The dvla webchat service is not available and the phone number just says they are “busy due to high demand and to try later, goodbye” and the line goes dead. Dreadful.

SchoolWillBeUpShitCreek · 26/01/2022 15:25

Not a learner, but waited seven months for an address change on my license...the DVLA is in a state.

negomi90 · 26/01/2022 15:30

I'd wait until he passed the theory before he starts his intensive course. There's such a backlog for all testing, that you don't want to do an intensive course and then need to wait ages until he can sit his actual -practical test. You want him to test with good habits from his instructor still high in his mind.

Hellohah · 26/01/2022 15:31

DS is 17 in July. We actually just applied for his this week. I think you can apply once you've got their National Insurance number.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 26/01/2022 15:39

I've been waiting since December for my name to be changed on my license. I called after they sent me a reminder (it expired too) and they said it will take the full ten weeks.

Comefromaway · 26/01/2022 15:42

@BethDutton

We are still waiting for a provisional driving license, sent the application 11 weeks ago recorded delivery. The dvla webchat service is not available and the phone number just says they are “busy due to high demand and to try later, goodbye” and the line goes dead. Dreadful.
Paper applications are taking months and months. If the young person has a passport and is able to apply online it is far quicker.
crochetcrazy1978 · 26/01/2022 16:18

My daughters provisional was a nightmare. We did paper application as her passport had expired and after 6 months she still wasn't any closer to getting the provisional. We cancelled the application, renewed her passport and applied online with the passport and it took a couple of weeks for the provisional to come through.

BethDutton · 26/01/2022 16:20

Comefromaway that’s kind of you, unfortunately his passport is out of date hence the paper application which I really really regret! Renewing his passport is next on the list, I so hate forms and seem particularly stupid with them. Actually I think I should get DS to do it as I get in a flap.

Nordstrom · 26/01/2022 16:22

Not sure if were just lucky, but DD applied for hers this month and it came within 2 weeks.

BethDutton · 26/01/2022 16:23

crochetcrazy1978 that’s interesting, I think we may have to do it that way around. Right, passport renewal here we come.

Comefromaway · 26/01/2022 16:34

Dh has applied for his licence back that he surrendered due to a medical condition and you can't do that online. He applied in July, got a further form sent to him in October and we are still waiting!

Original poster
RedPandaWanda · 26/01/2022 17:24

Looks like I may need to get him a passport first, thanks all.

OP posts:
ChrissyHynde · 26/01/2022 17:27

My sons application wouldn't process on the website until he was 16 years and 10 months old. Took about 12 weeks in total .

BethDutton · 08/02/2022 10:56

Just received it, took 13 weeks (postal application)!

Lanique · 08/02/2022 11:02

Just received dd2's. It took just five days to arrive! Shock

It was a different story for dd1's though... Hmm

Lanique · 08/02/2022 11:03

I will add that we did it online and she has just recently updated her passport.

Lanique · 08/02/2022 11:05

Actually, tell a lie... the application was sent off online on Tuesday evening, and dd had it in her hand on Friday.

Seeline · 08/02/2022 11:08

We applied for DDs just before she was 16 for ID purposes (she is very petite and doesn't look her age). Did it online and it arrived within a couple of weeks. She is currently using it for driving lessons 18 months on.

Chasingsquirrels · 08/02/2022 11:14

You can apply from 15y 9m.

Have no recent covid experience, but have read lots about current shambles.

My ds2 has just turned 16 and just about to apply, also has expired passport, I thought website said you can use expired details? Will double check that and get him to redo passport first if necessary.

I'd expect a keen 16yo to be making their own application.

BattleMyDemons · 08/02/2022 11:16

My sons provisional took a few weeks to arrive, we just did it once he was 17 as there was such a wait for lessons due to covid. I know people who have sent off for it before 17 though so it can be done.

My son now has had to wait 3 months for a theory test and you can’t book driving test til after you’ve passed that. Someone we know has just passed their theory and the earliest driving test they have been able to book is in July! Bloody Covid!

sashh · 08/02/2022 12:25

Why are you applying?

I he wants a licence he should apply for one.

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