signature on photo for provisional license???

I just filled out the form to get a provisional driving license.  I did it online, and they've already charged me the £50.  The problem is that AFTER the transaction was complete, the website informed me that I will need someone to sign the back of the photograph I submit, and that it has to be someone who has known me for at least two years in the UK and who is not a relative and doesn't share my address.  They would have to fill out and sign a form verifying everything and agree to checks as well.  There is NO ONE who has these criteria, I only arrived here a month ago on a spousal visa.  The only person in the UK who has known me for more than 2 years is my husband. What can I do? 

Don't panic! Here are the full rules:

If you’re providing identity documents other than an up-to-date passport, UK travel document or an EC/EEA identity card (apart from Sweden), you must get someone reliable to sign the back of your photo. The person signing your photo must also complete section seven of your D1 form.

DVLA will make random checks on people who sign photocard driving licence applications.

If you're renewing the photo on your driving licence you won’t need the photo certified.
The person signing your photo

The person must:

    * live in the UK
    * know you personally (for at least two years)
    * not be a relative

Suitable people include:

    * 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
    * a local councillor, MP, AM, MEP or MSP

If you have come to live in the UK within the last two years and you cannot have your photo signed by someone who has known you for at least two years within the UK, you should take all the documents to your nearest DVLA local office. They will sign your photo and fill in section seven of the application form. The DVLA local office will send your application and original identity documents to DVLA Swansea.

So you only need the photo signed if you're not sending your passport, and if that's the case you can take it to the DVLA office with proof of ID and they'll sign it!

Thanks, superl99

The form I have says that if I am not submitting a UK/EC/EEA passport, then I must have the photo signed.  I understood it to mean that if I submit my American passport, I will need the signature.  So if I use my American passport, I will have to go to the local DVLA office and have them sign my photo, then they will send the passport, photo, and application form to the office in Swansea? 

Hm, the DVLA website is not particularly clear on it having to be a UK/EU passport, but if that's what the form says it must be right. You can use the DVLA service with your passport though. Here is a list of where they are. I believe it costs around £4 for the service.

Thanks, that's a major relief 

I don't think I paid anything to the DVLA for them signing my photo.  I just paid the regular application fee.  It's good going there anyway b/c they send everything in right away through their internal mail system and you don't have to pay postage for the first leg of the trip--just a special envelope if you want to send it back to you registered or special delivery.

Hello!

Does anyone know if the DVLNI does this as well?  I'm in a similar situation: moved to Northern Ireland a few months ago and I don't know anyone who would qualify to sign my photo and fill in the corresponding section on the form....

Thanks for any info!

Will I need to make an appointment for this, or can I just walk in?

I just walked in.

Sorry I can't answer about NI.

Thanks, Cadenza.  Fortunately, my husband has a day off work tomorrow, so we should be able to go and take care of this. 

Hello!

Does anyone know if the DVLNI does this as well?  I'm in a similar situation: moved to Northern Ireland a few months ago and I don't know anyone who would qualify to sign my photo and fill in the corresponding section on the form....

Thanks for any info!

No. In NI you need to have someone who's known you as long as possible sign the photo and fill in the form. Doesn't have to be two years, though. The DVLNI won't do it (or at least wouldn't a year or so ago when my husband was doing his).

Aha!  Thanks Elynor!

Aha!  Thanks Elynor!

Welcome to the joy of living in NI!  (I was in Belfast for 18 months, now in Leeds.)

I sent an e-mail to the DVLA at the same time I started this thread, and yesterday I received this response:

BH 08.01.2009

Thank you for your email.

I am sorry, but there appears to be an error with the information provided on our online application site.

I can cconfirm that as you are providing a passport as proof of identity there is no requirement to have your photograph authenticated.

Regards

Mrs X Xxxxxxxxxx
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring


I'll be printing this out and mailing it with my unsigned photos and American passport, just in case there's more confusion.....

ah, I remember hearing that you didn't have to do this any more, but I didn't say anything because I assumed the DVLA website would be correct.  Mystery solved.