bout Brit. Drivers License (PART II)

Thanks everyone for your advice on " part 1" of my inquiries with regards to preparing for the Brit. drivers license..i did forget to ask a couple more Q's..

1) Some of you have suggested that even the provisional license will require that i find somone whom i have known for two years in london, to sign the back of the photograh....what if you dont know someone for two years ? we have only been here 2 months.... also, you guys have suggested that it has to be someone like a priest or teacher..... what other proffesions are considerd " upstanding " in this country ?
I am just shell shocked from all the requirements...even for the provisional one.
I would really appreciate any insights on this issue..

2) How much does the permanant license cost ? Assuming one passes ofcourse...also how much does the video and testing  kit/book cost ?

3) Finally, how many years is the Permanant license good for ?

thanks heaps
Karina
PS i went to the post office today to inquire if i could hold on to my passport and let the counter person verify my identity in person as opposed to mailing my passport since i had an EU passsport....the only way they will do that is if you have a UK passport....ANY other passport you have to mail it along with the application.

The big issue here is that the Driving License in the UK is the closest we come to an identity document, so they've made it quite hard to get one ... identity theft problems.   You're not the first one to have the problem with "someone you've know 2 years" - I think some of the others here have even had to post their applications to friends at the other end ot the country ....

Prices ... dunno ... I'm in Ireland at the moment. Doesn't the DVLA web site tell you?

Years ... My driving license is valid until 15th July 2024.

You know,, the whole 'two year' thing is really off,, mainly because after being a resident for one year, you aren't supposed to use your US licsence here anymore,, yet, you havn't been here long enough to even know someone for the required amount of time needed for that sig. It is just bizarre. Rant over,,lol.

You can have your doctor sign it for you, even if they haven't known you for two years.  Other professions who can sign;
a local business person or shopkeeper
a librarian
a professionally qualified person, for example, a lawyer, teacher or engineer;
a police officer
a bank or building society officer
a civil servant
a minister of religion
a magistrate and
A local councillor or an MP (AM, MEP and MSP).


It's £38, and upgrading to a full license is free. Except of course for the cost of testing.   Most of that information should be on your forms though.   The theory test is £20.50 and the practical is £39 for weekdays and £48 evenings and weekends.   Look for more information at the driving standards agency website.

Your license will be good until you are 70, though you have to renew it every decade or so - this doesn't require resitting a test or anything.  After you are 70 you will have to renew every 3 years.

Rosie

My photo licence expires in 2011 and I got it in 2003.....8 years? But as you said, the official licence is good til you are 70.

Huh thats weird, the photocard should be good for 10 years. And they will send you a reminder a couple months before it is due.

But I just looked at my husbands - he got it last year and it expires in 2024.  Methinks some people may just be keying in any old date! LMAO!

Rosie