sending US passport for provisional lic

Hi need some advice or should say my husband does.  He wants to get his provisional license the application mentions he has to send in his US passport.  He knows they send it back BUT they told him it could take 3 weeks.  My husband travels every week and he just can't seem to part with his passport...poor guy is getting anxiety attacks.              Any advice would be helpful. 

Thanks!!

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a way around this. I think almost everyone here has tried! Most of us got our passports back within a week, though it could depend on where you are at. Mine came back in 4 days (including the weekend). I doubt he will be without it for 3 weeks. The DVLA usually sends the passport right back and you get the provisional license in the mail later on.

Thanks!!  That helps somewhat...I think his reaction is mostly due to the person he talked to in Swansea, apparently not friendly or sympathetic.  I do beleive my huband thinks the Brits are all out to make his life more difficult.

Anyway, thanks for the info. I will pass it along.  I  know he was hoping for a way around this issue....oh well. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

There's really no way around it.  Those with UK passports can have them verified at participating Post Offices or at the local DVLA, but US passport holders have to send them to Swansea.  We all wish there were another way, but there's not.   

Actually I do think that you can go to a few specific DMVs to get it verified...at least I remember reading that when I was sending for mine...I didn't need my passport back really quickly so I didn't go there...have him read the website or booklet they have in the postoffice again...(plus it only took one week total for me).  He might want to ask if he could send a certified copy of the passport instead due to business needs.

You can have your picture verified at several (if not all) DVLA offices (that's in those cases where you haven't known anyone long enough for them to verify your pic).  Once the DVLA has verified your pic, they'll take it, along with your application, the fee, and your passport and send it to Swansea.

Actually I do think that you can go to a few specific DMVs to get it verified...at least I remember reading that when I was sending for mine...I didn't need my passport back really quickly so I didn't go there...have him read the website or booklet they have in the postoffice again...(plus it only took one week total for me).  He might want to ask if he could send a certified copy of the passport instead due to business needs.

No you can only get the photo verified but they still take the passport and send it to Swansea (as Lola said).  I tried to do this but the guy at the local DVLA office said no deal.

Mine was back to me in less than two weeks. One key is to not only send it recorded overnight, but enclose another recorded overnight envelope with it.