UK Driving License Question
December 9, 2008 8:58 AM   Subscribe

Has anybody with a non-UK passport managed to get their provisional drivers license (learners license) from DVLA without losing their passport for 15 days!?

The UK DVLA require an ORIGINAL passport to issue a photo license and they just told me over the phone that it can take up to 15 days before they can return it (information given to me by DVLA on the phone). Now I cannot afford to let them have custody of my passport for an unspecified period as I have to travel for work ALL the time.

I cannot get my country to issue me a duplicate passport as this facility does not exist. Has anyone managed to get DVLA to use any other form of identification? A certified copy of passport, maybe? Have they managed to find a way by which I can go and personally get the formalities done and bring back my passport with me? Is there a less known checking service for non-UK passports?

Look forward to hearing your clever ideas and suggestions. Thanks
posted by london302 to Law & Government (8 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
My mom was able to get a "Foreign Driver's License" issued in the U.S. ten years ago. All she had to do was go to the passport office and apply. Granted, this was pre-9/11, but I don't really see any reason that would have changed due to national security...but you never know. Which country are you from? That will probably make a difference.
posted by junipero at 9:28 AM on December 9, 2008


This page says the following are options:

* full valid current passport
* identity card issued by a member state of the European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA) with the exception of Sweden
* UK identity card for foreign nationals/residence permit or travel documents issued by the Home Office
* UK certificate of naturalisation

Further down it also says identity documents are returned to you within 10 working days (seperate from your license).

You can also pay extra for the Premium Checking Service, and they'll check your ID while you wait. You'll have to go to a DVLA office though, rather than a post office, as you've not got a UK passport.
DVLA Local Offices

All DVLA local offices provide the same premium checking service, at the same cost, as selected Post Office® branches and they're open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. The local offices don't accept credit cards for payment and the DVLA reserves the right to recall original identity documents.

If you're the holder of a full European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA), Gibraltar or Designated Country driving licence and are exchanging it for the British equivalent you may be able to use a similar checking service at selected DVLA local offices. The offices providing this service are Wimbledon, Nottingham, Glasgow and the reception at DVLA in Swansea.

You should be able to use this service provided that you hold a current passport from one of the countries in the name to be shown on the licence and you're:

* entitled to apply for a full GB licence in exchange for an existing full licence from an EC/EEA, Gibraltar or designated country
* applying to change from a full paper licence to a first photocard licence

Staff will check your application to ensure it's in order and has been completed correctly. Once checked, your application and licence will be sent to DVLA for processing. Your passport will be handed back.
All of this is detailed on direct.gov.uk.
posted by Happy Dave at 9:34 AM on December 9, 2008


Also, this interactive tool will help you figure out if you even need a provisional license.

What country is your passport from? Do you have a license in that country?
posted by Happy Dave at 9:37 AM on December 9, 2008


Response by poster: Thanks All.

Happy, in reverse order. I do not have a license from a 'designated country' so I do indeed need a learners license.

Also, the part on permium checking service is unclear. I read it several times before I posted the question and I have read it again. It seems to me that you can only use the premium checking service if you are exchaging your license for another which I am not. But thanks. and any more ideas welcome.

On googling my problem I came across this site http://www.eudriverlicence.com/ which claims to be able to exchange your license in another EU country. Anybody have any experience with something like this?
posted by london302 at 1:02 PM on December 9, 2008


Response by poster: On googling my problem I came across this site http://www.eudriverlicence.com/ which claims to be able to exchange your license in another EU country. Anybody have any experience with something like this?

With link this time.
posted by london302 at 1:03 PM on December 9, 2008


I think your best bet is to download or send off for all the forms for the provisional license, fill them in, find out where your nearest DVLA office is and go down and see them. As you say, the wording is unclear, and I can't see any reason why a DVLA office wouldn't be able to check your foreign passport on the spot (i.e. Premium Checking) rather than have you send it away.
posted by Happy Dave at 2:29 AM on December 10, 2008


Ring your local DVLA office and ask. The number should be on the green leaflet that came with the form.
posted by the latin mouse at 8:02 AM on December 10, 2008


Response by poster: Update: I have now spoken to 3-4 people at DVLA, two before posting. I got through to a manager and the verdict is as under:

1. Not possible to check non-EU passport at post office or at ANY DVLA office
2. Possible to go personally to deposit the form with the passport but they WILL NOT return the passport on the same day
3. Passports received by hand or post will only be sent back by recorded delivery in about 15 days.
4. If there are any special circumstances then the applicant must include a letter addressed to the manager who will try and send the passport back as soon as they can (again, they say that it can take upto 15 days)
5. They will not accept any other form of identification such as a sworn affidavit, copy attested by a court or any other authority of this land (according to the person on the phone, needs to be confirmed with a lawyer)

thanks to all who offered suggestions and comments.

Will welcome comments on www.EUdriverlicence.com if you have any.

Thanks
posted by london302 at 9:52 AM on December 10, 2008


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