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Topic: getting a provisional drivers license  (Read 6111 times)

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getting a provisional drivers license
« on: February 17, 2009, 02:38:02 PM »
If there is anyone that is about ready to get the provisional drivers license, i just did mine today and i want to let anyone know what you have to do.  Wait 185 days til you have gotten permanent residence.  Get a application from the post office. THe application is free. The license Cost is 50 pounds.  For us yanks, you do have to mail in your passport.  DVLA will sign off on section 7 of the application . For the reason that many of us has not known anyone here in the UK for 2 years.  Your spouse and your inlaws do no count in signing off on section 7.

For ladies if your passport and visa are still in your maiden name, mail off your original copy of your marriage license.  They dont accept photocopies and if you dont include it, the name on your passport will be on your license.  It costs 15 pounds if you need to change addresses or names after you have already spent the 50 pounds for the license.  You do need a passport size photo.  Go to the post office and there is a photo booth.  Make sure that your passport photo fits in the size area of the application. Cost of the passport photo is 4 pounds and 20 pence.   You must not smile in your picture. Dont wear glasses or hats.  Only ones of the Sike faith can wear something on your head.

You do go in person to the DVLA office.  Before you go, go to the Post Office and get an envelope . its for tracking purposes since you have to mail personal documents off.  This envelope is silver colored and it cost 5 pounds and 5 pence.  After that, DVLA will mail your application off and make sure that you write your check out to DVLA Swansea.  DVLA will mail it for you from the office to Swansea.  I was told to wait about 15 business days from the time it reaches Swansea.  Your license should show up in the mail at your residence. You will be given a receipt that it is sent off and they have signed off on your application.

I hope that this will help anyone out that is ready to get a provisional license.


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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2009, 03:05:01 PM »
Actually, you don't have to wait 185 days or go in person to the DVLA or have anyone sign section 7.  I'm not sure who told you about the 185 days thing, but I got my provisional license about a month after I arrived here.  I did the application and made the payment online, went to the post office for the pictures then mailed them with the signed forms and my passport w/marriage certificate that same day.  Getting the photos signed is not necessary if you submit your passport as ID.  I'm not sure if things are different for people on different visas, but if you're here as a spouse, the process is pretty easy. 
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2009, 03:15:13 PM »
Historyenne is right I just filled out the application online printed it out and sent in a pic the signed part of the app and my passport.  I got everything back in 7 days and then the next day I got my PL in the mail:) it was very easy




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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2009, 05:25:52 PM »
I'm not sure if things are different for people on different visas, but if you're here as a spouse, the process is pretty easy. 

No, its not different, same process.  No need for permanent residence. 
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2009, 09:35:23 PM »
Historyenne is right I just filled out the application online printed it out and sent in a pic the signed part of the app and my passport.  I got everything back in 7 days and then the next day I got my PL in the mail:) it was very easy

7 days!  Wow.  I just sent mine off today (though mine goes to Coleraine, not Swansea) so here's hoping I have just as speedy service as you did!
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2009, 10:09:03 PM »
I had the same timeframe as Jamie.  It was surprisingly speedy service. 
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2009, 10:35:45 PM »
This is all good to know.  Hubby and I will be sorting this out in a couple of weeks  :)
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #7 on: February 17, 2009, 10:38:26 PM »
Actually, you don't have to wait 185 days or go in person to the DVLA or have anyone sign section 7.  I'm not sure who told you about the 185 days thing, but I got my provisional license about a month after I arrived here. 

The 6-month rule is relatively new, but applies only to those moving here from another EU/EEA country.   It was enacted in response to complaints from some other European countries (most notably Germany) that teenagers were coming to the U.K. for a few weeks in order to do a crash course and get a British license which could then simply be swapped for a license in their own country upon returning, thereby avoiding paying all the extortionate fees and complying with the horrendously complex conditions applied in their own nations.

There seems to be some confusion even with the DSA and examiners, but that 6-month rule does not apply if you have come here direct from the U.S.A.   You can apply for a U.K. provisional (learner's) license from the moment you are officially resident here.
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2009, 11:43:18 AM »
So since you need photos to send in with it, would you recommend getting them before I leave the US?

And glad I can get my provisional a lot earlier...Jamie told me about her experiences with it all. :)

Also, wanna try to get mine a.s.a.p. there since my fiance is most likely getting us a car this weekend or this week.  WOOT! :)




Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2009, 11:55:48 AM »
So since you need photos to send in with it, would you recommend getting them before I leave the US?


Very specific rules, best to wait till you get here to have them done.http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_078281



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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2009, 12:03:24 PM »
You won't be able to get any in the US that fit the specs, but they're easy to get here.
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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2009, 12:46:06 AM »
Cool....thanks, ladies. :)




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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2009, 01:23:38 PM »
Actually it doesn't matter where you get the pictures taken as long as it's a passport size photo....they scan it to size anyway:)




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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2009, 06:30:31 PM »
Do they keep your US DL or do you get that back?  Once you get the provisional, how long is the process for getting the theory test, practical test and then full license?

Thanks!


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Re: getting a provisional drivers license
« Reply #14 on: March 08, 2009, 06:34:46 PM »
You don't give up your US license at all, because you have to start here from the beginning and pass the test
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