Learning to drive - Testing and licensing processing times
Quality targets
We try to provide a service that is quick and accurate.
For driving licences, DVA aim to do the following:
- Deliver your provisional driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application in DVA. This will take longer if a medical investigation is necessary as this often means contacting your doctor
- Deliver your full driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application in DVA
- Arrange a test for you on the date and at the test centre you prefer
- Issue an appointment letter telling you the date and time of your test within five working days of receiving your application (which you must have filled in correctly). If you book and pay for your test over the phone, you will be given the date and time of your test immediately
- Tell you the result within 30 minutes of the end of the test
- Issue an appointment card or letter telling you the date and time of your test within five working days of receiving your application (which you must have filled in correctly). Or, if you book and pay for your test over the phone, you can choose a suitable date and test centre. You will usually have to wait around six weeks for your test. The examiner will tell you the result at the end of the test.
