How To Apply For A Provisional Driving Licence
If you are required to pass a NI driving test in order to gain a full Northern Ireland licence you must first apply for a provisional driving licence. To do this you should complete a DL1 application form (available from most Post Offices, Local Vehicle Licensing Offices or directly from DVLNI by calling 0845 402 4000 and return it to
Driver Licensing Division,
DVLNI,
County Hall,
Castlerock Road,
Coleraine,
BT51 3TB,
with the correct fee.
Once you are in possession of the valid provisional licence, you must comply with the conditions applicable to provisional licence holders. These are printed on the back of the licence itself. You may not take a test unless you are resident in this country. Once you have passed both theory and practical parts of the driving test, you may then apply for your full licence.
Notes And Definitions
Resident/Visitor
Your country of normal residence is taken to mean the place where you usually live and have personal and/or occupational ties. A visitor's stay in Northern Ireland must be of a temporary nature and the driver must be normally resident outside the UK
Ordinary/Vocational
An 'Ordinary' licence entitles you to drive cars, motorcycles and small vehicles. A 'Vocational' licence entitles you to drive minibuses, buses or medium/large vehicles over 3500kgs towing a trailer over 750kgs.
Small Vehicles
Vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, vehicles up to 3500kgs (e.g. vans) or with up to 8 passenger seats.
Community Licence
A Community Licence is one issued in any country of the European Economic Area as a result of taking a driving test there.
Provisional/Full
A Provisional licence shows vehicles for which you have learner status only. A full licence shows vehicles which you may drive as the result of passing a driving test or tests.
