The LGV Provisional License Explained

Many people endeavour to earn an LGV licence without realising it is necessary to get a provisional licence before any sort training can begin. In the following paragraphs, we’ll do our best to explain the LGV provisional licence, what it does for you, and how to go about getting one.

To start with, the LGV provisional licence is the documentation necessary to prove you are eligible to be trained and tested. That being the case, there are certain conditions that apply. In order to get an LGV provisional licence you must first:

• be at least 18 years old
• hold a valid Category B licence (standard automatic car licence)
• pass a medical exam

The medical exam is nothing to worry about if you are in generally good health. You simply visit your regular doctor who will perform a routine examination and fill out the required paperwork. It is quick enough that you may spend more time in the waiting room than you do in the actual examination.

How to Get Started

In order to apply for your provisional licence you will need two specific forms from the DVLA: the D2 and the D4. The D2 form is a combination photo ID application and provisional drivers licence application. The D4 is the form your doctor will need to fill out upon completing a medical exam.

Those two completed forms along with a passport photo, a copy of your current drivers licence, and the appropriate fee is then sent to the DVLA for approval. As long as all of the information checks out you should get your provisional licence in the mail within 2 to 3 weeks.

What Happens Next

Obtaining your LGV provisional licence allows you to immediately sign up for the theory exam you will need to pass before you can begin practical training. Sometimes there is a delay of a few weeks but other times individuals are able to get the theory test done right away. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start studying for the test during the period of time that you are waiting for your provisional licence to arrive in the mail. The more time you spend studying and preparing, the more likely you will be to pass the first time.

An LGV provisional licence and a passing score on the theory exam means you are now ready to begin your practical training. That training will be a combination of classroom work and behind-the-wheel practice. If everything goes well you should be able to obtain your full LGV licence within 6 to 8 weeks of your initial medical exam.

The thing to remember is this: the usefulness of your LGV provisional licence depends on how willing you are to apply yourself once you obtain it. If you are willing to study hard, you can pass your theory test in one shot. If you apply yourself with equal effort during your training, you will be able to complete your courses and pass your practical test as well. Nevertheless, it’s all up to you and the effort you put forth.