The first thing you are required to do before you drive is apply for your provisional driving licence (you can do this up to 2 months before your 17th birthday), you need forms: D1 and D750, also available is a useful guide D100 "What you need to know about driving licences", these are found at your local Post Office or from the DVLA (Customer Enquiries) 0870 240 0009, DVLA Swansea, SA6 7JL.
		DVLA now only issues photocard driving licences. This is to improve road safety by eliminating impersonation at driving tests and ensuring the person driving a vehicle is qualified to do so. The licence comes in two parts:
		a photocard; showing: - the drivers photograph and signature which is electronically copied from the application form, - categories of vehicles the driver is entitiled to drive a paper counterpart; showing: - details of any endorsements, and - in case of a full licence holder, any provisional entitlement held.
		Note: you must produce both the photocard and counterpart if requested by the police or in court. You should also present both parts when taking a driving test. You may also find that other organisations, such as car hire firms and insurance companies will ask to see both parts. To keep the photograph up-to-date drivers will need to renew their photograph every 10 years, until they are aged 70.
		The DVLA will require that you can read a car number plate, in good daylight from 20.5 metres (67 feet), if you need glasses or contact lenses to do this, you must wear them every time you drive, your eyesight will be checked as part of your practical driving test.
		First Provisional Licence £29.00 Changing Provisional for first Full £12.00 Duplicate - if your Licence is stolen, destroyed or defaced £17.00 Replacement - change of name and/or address FREE