Driving licence in the United Kingdom
| Driving licence in the United Kingdom | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Issued by |
 United Kingdom
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| Type of document | Driving licence |
| Purpose | Authorisation |
In the United Kingdom, the driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate various types of motor vehicle on highways and some other roads to which the public have access. In England, Scotland and Wales they are administered by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). A driving licence is required in the UK by any person driving a vehicle on any highway or other road defined in s.192 Road Traffic Act 1988 irrespective of the ownership of the land over which the road passes, thus including many which allow the public to pass over private land. Similar requirements apply in Northern Ireland under the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.
UK nationals do not normally have identity cards: a modern photo driving licence can serve many of the purposes of an identity card in non-driving contexts (proof of identity (e.g. when opening a bank account) or age (e.g. when buying alcohol, fireworks etc.)).
Applications for a provisional driving licence can be made from the age of 15 years and 9 months. The licence is valid for driving a moped or light quad bike from age 16, and a car from age 17, or 16 for those who get, or have applied for, the higher/enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP or DLA. Until a United Kingdom driving test (which consists of three sections: theory and a hazard perception test followed by a supervised driving examination) has been passed, a driver may hold only a provisional licence and be subject to certain conditions.
The conditions attached to provisional licences of a particular category of vehicle are:
In Northern Ireland, learner drivers are limited to a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h), and drivers who have passed their test within the previous year must display "R" plates (restricted) and are also limited to a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) until the expiry of the restricted period. "R" plates are similar in style to "L" plates, with a thick-set dark orange R displayed on a white background.
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