Applying For A Provisional HGV Or Bus Licence - GOV.UK

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1. Home
2. Driving and transport
3. HGV, bus and coach drivers

Become a qualified heavy goods vehicle (HGV) or bus driver Skip contents

Contents

1. Getting qualified
2. Returning to be an HGV or bus driver
3. If driving is not the main part of your job or the vehicle is exempt
4. If you want to transport animals
5. Applying for a provisional HGV or bus licence
6. Driver CPC part 1 test: theory
7. Driver CPC part 2 test: case studies
8. Driver CPC part 3a test: off-road exercises
9. Driver CPC part 3b test: on-road driving
10. Driver CPC part 4 test: practical demonstration
11. After you’ve qualified
12. Upgrade your licence to tow heavier trailers
13. Fees

Applying for a provisional HGV or bus licence

When you apply, you’ll need to choose what category of provisional licence you’re applying for.

The category of provisional licence you need depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive and the weight of the trailer you can tow with it.

Before you apply, check the licence categories for large vehicles - which include heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) - and buses.

How to apply

To apply, order forms D2 and D4 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Filling in form D4

The D4 form has to be filled in by a doctor. This could be either:

• your GP - but an optician might need to fill in the section about your eyesight
• a private firm specialising in drivers’ medical exams

Your doctor, optician or a private firm can charge you.

Filling in form D2

Depending on which provisional licence category you choose in form D2, you may get additional provisional entitlements to the one you apply for.

Category you choose	Provisional entitlements you get
C1	C1
C or C1+E	C1, C1+E, C and C+E
D or D1	D1, D1+E, D and D+E

Order the forms online

Order now

Send the forms

Send both forms and your photocard driving licence to DVLA. There’s no application fee.

If you have a paper driving licence you must include a passport-style colour photo and original identity documents.

DVLA Swansea SA99 1BR

How long it takes

You should get your driving licence within 3 weeks of DVLA getting your application. It can take longer if your health or personal details need to be checked.

You automatically lose your HGV or bus licence if you lose your car licence.

Previous : If you want to transport animals Next : Driver CPC part 1 test: theory View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content

• Find training to become a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver
• Adding categories to your driving licence
• Book your theory test
• Book your driving test
• Become a qualified dangerous goods (ADR) vehicle driver

Collection

• Key Traffic Commissioner Resources

Explore the topic

• Driving licences
• Driving tests and learning to drive or ride
• HGV, bus and coach drivers

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