You need two things: your provisional driving licence (please bring the physical photocard, not a photo of it on your phone) and, if your instructor asks for it, a DVLA check code so they can verify that licence online before you get behind the wheel. That's it. No test certificates, no paperwork you have to fill in beforehand, nothing to post anywhere.
We get asked this more than almost anything else: six emails and a WhatsApp message in the last month alone, all some version of "what do I bring?" So here's the full answer, in plain terms.
Do I need a provisional licence before I can start lessons?
Yes, and it has to be a UK provisional licence with your correct address on it. According to GOV.UK, you can apply for your first provisional licence online once you're 15 years and 9 months old, though you can't drive until you turn 17 (or 16 if you get certain disability benefits). See the official provisional licence guidance. If you're waiting for yours to arrive in the post, hold off booking a lesson until it's in hand: the law says you must hold a valid provisional licence to drive on public roads, so lessons can't start without one.
What is a DVLA check code, and do I actually need one?
A check code is a short code generated through the government's official view or share your driving licence service. It lets someone else (your instructor, an examiner, a car hire company) confirm your licence details are valid without you handing over your actual card. Some instructors ask new students to generate one before the first lesson simply to save time on the day; it takes about two minutes on the GOV.UK site and the code stays valid for 21 days. If you're not sure whether you need one, just bring your physical licence to the first lesson and your instructor can sort the rest.
What if I have an overseas licence, not a UK provisional one?
You'll still need to bring whatever licence you currently hold, and be aware this affects pricing here: overseas licence holders come under our Standard Session rate rather than the beginner or experienced-learner intro offers, because those are reserved for UK provisional licence holders. Full details on pricing and how the intro lesson tiers work are on our pricing page.
Do I need glasses, contact lenses, or anything else on the day?
If you need glasses or contact lenses to read a number plate at 20 metres, wear them. Beyond that, comfortable flat shoes are worth thinking about. Nothing to do with documents, just practicality. There's no separate medical form to fill in for lessons themselves; that only becomes relevant when you apply for or renew a licence through DVLA directly.
What happens if I turn up without my licence?
Your instructor needs to see your licence (or a check code) before you drive, so without it they may not be able to start the lesson. This is the one document that genuinely cannot be skipped, which is why it's worth double-checking the night before rather than the morning of. If this happens, it's a wasted lesson slot, so it really is worth the two-minute check beforehand.
What should I actually do before booking?
Make sure your provisional licence has arrived and the address on it is current. If you want to save five minutes on lesson one, generate a DVLA check code through the official GOV.UK service and have it ready on your phone or written down. Then decide which intro lesson fits you (brand new to driving, or you've had lessons before) and book through our online booking page.
If you're still deciding between manual and automatic, or want to see what a first lesson actually covers, our services page and the FAQ page both go into more detail. For anyone learning around Bayswater, Notting Hill or Kensington specifically, the West London lessons page covers areas and logistics.
Next step
If you've genuinely never driven before, book the Complete Beginner intro lesson. If you've had lessons somewhere else already, the Experienced Learner rate applies instead. Either way, bring your provisional licence, generate a DVLA check code if you have five minutes spare, and book directly through westlondondrivingschool.co.uk/booking or message us on WhatsApp at 07380 399311 if you're not sure which lesson fits you.
Quick answers
Can I use a photo of my licence instead of the physical card?
Please bring the physical card. Your instructor needs to see it before your first drive, and a photo can't show that the licence is still valid. If you can't find your card, a DVLA check code lets your instructor confirm it online instead.
How long does a DVLA check code stay valid?
A check code generated through the GOV.UK share licence service is valid for 21 days from the day you create it. If it expires before your lesson, you can simply generate a new one in a couple of minutes on the same official site.
Do I need to bring anything for automatic lessons that's different from manual?
No, the documents you need are exactly the same regardless of whether you're learning in a manual or automatic car. Your provisional licence is the requirement either way; the choice between manual and automatic only affects the lessons themselves.
Written by Mohammed Miah, DVSA-approved driving instructor (ADI). Drafted with AI assistance from the questions real students and enquirers ask us, then reviewed and approved by Mohammed before publishing.