Let’s start of with the D1 then (the paper licence application). This is pretty tricky, but you needn’t start filling things in quite yet, as the first and second pages, of the form, are dedicated to giving you some helpful information about the application process. It's all quite clear and concise though, so it's not worth me explaining it to you here. It does however, outline a lot of important details, like how to pay for your licence, where to send it, FAQ's and things like that…so don't just skip over it!

The application part starts proper on page 3, and begins with the really obvious details like your name, date of birth, address and so on. I certainly won't insult your intelligence by going through this bit!

The second section asks for details about your eyesight, and basically just asks whether you can read a numberplate at 20.5 metres. If you've recently had your eyes checked or you're absolutely sure you meet these requirements, then go ahead and tick the box. Otherwise, it would really be wise to have a check-up, just to be on the safe side - you do want to be a safe driver, don’t you?

Section Three determines which type of license you are applying for - now I'll assume that most of you will be applying for a provisional licence, but exactly when do you want your licence to start from? If you want your license to start up to two months after you apply, well then you've got the chance to indicate this here.

Otherwise (if you aren't applying for a provisional licence), there are sections where you can indicate what sort of licence you do want - i.e. a duplicate licence, an exchanged licence or a renewed license, and alongside these categories you can explain why - a renewed licence for medical reasons, a duplicate because you've lost your old one…that sort of thing.

(There's a little section about organ donation after this as well, so depending on your views on this matter - you have the chance to donate the various parts of your body should you die. Yuck.)

Section Four is concerned about your previous licence, (should you have had one that is!). But I don't think that this will concern the majority of you, as one of the main reasons why you'd be applying here is because of a previous disqualification (very naughty!) or because your licence had expired - not the sort of thing you'll have to worry about until you're older I reckon!

Ok, so lets presume you haven't had any driving-related criminal convictions, and move onto the last part of the form, which is all about any health-related problems, which may affect your fitness to drive.

Here, you have to indicate any health issues/disabilities/dizzy spells/eyesight problems etc. that you suffer/have suffered from and just tick "Yes" or "No" depending on whether they apply to you.

If you suffer from any condition which the DVLA feel they need more information about, then you will have to fill in a separate medical form detailing the exact nature of the problem. As well as this, your doctor will have to provide a medical report to the DVLA, which will state that you are in fit health to drive.

Now, having gone through these procedure myself, I can safely say that it will take a little while for this all to happen, so if you want your license pretty sharpish - give yourself some extra time for things to be processed.

The last section is really easy but very important, as it gives you a checklist of all the things that you should include with your application (very handy), the amount of money that you are sending, and also the address where to send everything.

And BE CAREFUL, because the addresses are different for different applications - so don't send everything off to the wrong place ok?

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