Feeling thick - how do i fill out the drivers permit application??

This weekend i took what i thought was a complete application for a provisional licence to the post office.  unfortunately they do not help process DLVA things there but the woman at the counter said she thought i hadn't completed it correctly anyway.

Here are my questions and any feedback would be great.

1) Do I have to find a teacher, lawyer, doctor to sign the back of my photograph or can i have my partner do so?

2) Can I have the post office check my passport instead of sending it to Swansea or because i am an american do they need to have it in person?

3) if i must send my passport, how safe will it be, how long will they have it?

4) on average, from sending out the application, how long until i will have a uk licence? (i've been here since August 18th and want to make sure i don't exceed the 1 year limit for my US one)


Thanks!

1) Do I have to find a teacher, lawyer, doctor to sign the back of my photograph or can i have my partner do so?

No, it can't be your partner. I had a colleague who also happened to be a vicar sign mine.

2) Can I have the post office check my passport instead of sending it to Swansea or because i am an american do they need to have it in person?

No, the post office can't do it. I tried that. You have to send it off.

3) if i must send my passport, how safe will it be, how long will they have it?

I think they had mine for a week. I sent it recorded delivery and enclosed a self-addressed paid recorded delivery envelope for them to return it in. They didn't have it long.

4) on average, from sending out the application, how long until i will have a uk licence? (i've been here since August 18th and want to make sure i don't exceed the 1 year limit for my US one)

I was in a bit of a rush because we were buying a car and the finance people needed to see a license from me before they'd let us take it. I think it was about 2 weeks from the time I posted my passport and application to the time I had the license in hand.

Thanks!


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This weekend i took what i thought was a complete application for a provisional licence to the post office.  unfortunately they do not help process DLVA things there but the woman at the counter said she thought i hadn't completed it correctly anyway.

Here are my questions and any feedback would be great.

1) Do I have to find a teacher, lawyer, doctor to sign the back of my photograph or can i have my partner do so?

2) Can I have the post office check my passport instead of sending it to Swansea or because i am an american do they need to have it in person?

3) if i must send my passport, how safe will it be, how long will they have it?

4) on average, from sending out the application, how long until i will have a uk licence? (i've been here since August 18th and want to make sure i don't exceed the 1 year limit for my US one)


Thanks!

1) Your best bet would be going to your nearest DVLA office. They will sign off the picture for you.

2) You can't do it at the Post Office because you're not a British citizen.

3) You will have to send off your passport so they can do their document verification. If they are running to expected times, they will have it for about 2 weeks. If you have a medical condition that you have to disclose, it could be longer than that.

4) You don't get a full license, you get a provisional license that you use to sit the theory and practical tests. How fast you go from provisional to full depends on how quick you get through those two tests.

HTH,

Tanis

Thanks! 

I did a little searching on the DVLA site and you can have a magistrate sign.  The family I lived with when i was an exchange student here in 1989 is a magistrate and i'm popping by their house this week anyway so i'll ask him to sign.

Hopefully it will do the trick and i'll be on my way to uk driving soon!

As a side note, has anyone else been a bit overwhelmed with having to take a driving test all over again?  I've been driving since i was 17 in the states and am now 33.  In England I've been driving since i arrived in August 2006 and have my own car.  The thought of taking a practical test has me very nervous!

Regarding the driving test. Make sure you take some lessons so you can "break" some of your American driving habits. Good luck.

Regarding number 3 -- you have have your passport/identity certified at your local DVLA office if you've lived here less than two years.  They'll just bundle up all your stuff and forward it to Swansea, though -- no way to get out of sending your passport.

Geez, they want us to send our passport?? Why can't we just go to a local DVLA office? Unbelievable!

I had a non-US citizen friend back when I was in US and all he needs to do just stop by in his local DMV office, show his visa and SSN, and book a test.

I had a non-US citizen friend back when I was in US and all he needs to do just stop by in his local DMV office, show his visa and SSN, and book a test.

Ditto (British passport with "permanent resident alien" stamp).   

Now you know why so many of us complain about DVLA!   

Geez, they want us to send our passport?? Why can't we just go to a local DVLA office? Unbelievable!

You can go to the DVLA office but they'll still send off your passport - all they do there is to verify that the photos you submit are actually of you.

I had a non-US citizen friend back when I was in US and all he needs to do just stop by in his local DMV office, show his visa and SSN, and book a test.

Different country, different rules. I got my US license the same way, all done and dusted in a day, (once I'd done the 3 hour drug and alcohol 'course' which was mandatory if you didn't want to do or hadn't done 'x' amount of driver's ed).

Different country, different rules.

Agreed, but at least they can make it less painful. I also got a Driver License when I was working in Singapore and I didn't have to send my passport, just pop in their local driving license authority.

Maybe DVLA don't trust their own local DVLA office employee due to fraud done internally?

Agreed, but at least they can make it less painful.

True but, on the plus side, you could get your passport back in as little as a week - my Hubby did.

I had a friend of mine who works for the council sign mine. I always go to him with things to sign. I think they must have had my stuff for maybe 2 weeks...it came back second class, which always surprises me.

I failed my driving test the first time around...so it was daunting! But once I learned to drive and then got my own car...I was as free as a bird!!! Changed so much for me, got a better job, a promotion, etc etc!

All,

I am just about ready to send the application but want to clarify a few things, so I'll post the steps here:

1. APPLICATION FOR A DRIVING LICENSE form (Form D1)
a) Section 3 - The license you want
- I only check this box "First application for a provisional license to drive a vehicle with a view to passing a test"

b) Section 4 - Previous license detials
- I leave it blank because the questions listed here seems to apply only for GB DL

c) Section 6 - Confirming your identity
- I fill out Part B, which is for applicant that do not have a digital UK passport. This is the part where I need to send in my PASSPORT.

d) Section 7 - Signing your photograph
- This is the part where I have to go to a local DVLA office so they can sign the photograph and fill out their information as consent.

2) SENDING APPLICATION
Once I the photograph has been signed at the local DVLA office, I need to personally send the application and passport myself, along with a fee of GBP 38. The local DVLA office will NOT send it on my behalf. The address is:

DVLA, SWANSEA SA99 1AF

NOTE: I am thinking of enclosing a pre-paid FedEx envelope to GUARANTEE the RETURN of my passport. This should not cause any issues, right? If yes, what other "secure" delivery I can use whereby I can include the pre-paid envelope?

Anything else I missed?

2) SENDING APPLICATION
Once I the photograph has been signed at the local DVLA office, I need to personally send the application and passport myself, along with a fee of GBP 38. The local DVLA office will NOT send it on my behalf.

They should send it for you - you will pay the fee at the DVLA office. Everything else seems sound.

Can't answer your questions on the pre-paid envelope though.

NOTE: I am thinking of enclosing a pre-paid FedEx envelope to GUARANTEE the RETURN of my passport. This should not cause any issues, right? If yes, what other "secure" delivery I can use whereby I can include the pre-paid envelope?

You can enclose a self-addressed Special Delivery envelope.  They're £4.50.

Tam is correct -- the DVLA will send your stuff to Swansea if you go to them to have your identity verified.