Provisional license

Hi all,

I have a quick question that I know the wise ones on this board will be able to help me with. 

I moved here in October 2013 and in December started driving using my US license.  I am about to take driving lessons and get the process started to get my UK license.  I know I need to get a provisional license in order to take the theory and practical tests.  I have registered for the license and of course the DVLA need proof of identity.  In the paper work they sent it sounded as though I need to send them my actual passport, is this right?  I feel really unsettled about sending it but if that is the only way to get the provisional license, I'll do it (time is starting to get too close to the deadline).  Is there any other way to get my provisional license?

Any information will be appreciated!  Thanks in advance.

If you have a BRP, you can send that instead of the passport.  If your visa is a sticker in your passport, you need to send the passport.

If sending the DVLA your passport (or anything important), make sure you send it by recorded delivery and include a paid for recorded delivery envelope for them to send it back to you.  Otherwise they will send it by ordinary mail!

My wife went into our local DVLA office (now permanently shut down) to do her application, thinking they could just copy the passport and give it back, but they insisted on sending it to Swansea, and they lost it.  It took a lot of wrangling to force them to pay for a new one, as for a long time they denied all responsibility.

Many thanks for the quick replies.   

Yesterday I had my first lesson and somehow after 17 years driving my instructor made me feel as though I knew nothing!  I was beginning all over again.  He was nice and informative but learning how to 'properly' drive is crazy and just about did my head in.  Just wanting to do what I need to l pass my test. 

I mailed my form, passport and picture to DVLA using the advice tonito gave and fingers crossed it goes smooth and my passport returns home to me.

lots, I know how you feel.  I've had 4 lessons and after 25 years of driving, including driving a manual, you'd think I'd have been killed by now driving the way I do.  I'm just trying to learn the "proper" way so that I can pass my test and then drive however I want.  Best of luck!

Thanks KittyJuneberry!

So happy it wasn't just me.  He lectured me like I was the worst driver on the road!  And to think I am a perfectly fine driver (with some practical yet not 'proper' habits).  I couldn't believe how he judged my full set of driving skills based on 5 minutes driving (and driving a new car that I hadn't been in). 

Like you, I am having to just soak up everything I can and practice like crazy so I can pass the test. 

Good luck to you too Kitty. 

Yesterday I had my first lesson and somehow after 17 years driving my instructor made me feel as though I knew nothing!  I was beginning all over again.  He was nice and informative but learning how to 'properly' drive is crazy and just about did my head in.  Just wanting to do what I need to l pass my test.

l&c, I feel your pain.

A few years before moving to the UK, I visited for a month. Rented a car with a manual transmission and drove about 5,000 miles all over the country. First time driving here; first time with steering wheel on odd side of car, car on odd side of road, and left hand instead of right on the gearshift.

No problems.

Fast forward 10 years later, with many more thousands of miles UK driving experience and still no incidents. Fail my test. Grrrrrrr.

When I eventually got around to retaking the test, I opted for an automatic transmission. My first lessons (on a manual) had also just about done my head in, and I figured that for my mental health it might be best to not have to learn how to 'properly' shift gears. Thank god I passed.

My wife had a similar experience with her first instructor. She drove through the height of mad London traffic to get to her lesson, only to receive a dressing down after driving Mr Picky around (she wasn't precisely a metre from the kerb at all times, for example).

Maybe it's time to start a campaign about this silliness... problem is, once most people pass, they probably heave a huge sigh of relief and do their best to forget all about it.

As I've stated before, in 1993 I took lessons to learn the 'English way'. I had held a US license since 1964, and had always driven/owned cars with manual transmissions. My instructor said from the beginning that he wasn't teaching me to drive, just how to pass the test. And I did, first time, with no problems.

I had a couple of bad habits that would have caused issues for the road test, so we worked on re-training to dump the bad habits. My instructor was great, and never patronizing and never lectured me.

If the instructor isn't "doing it" for you, or making you nervous, or in any way not doing what you need him/her to do....get another instructor! If you are comfortable, the whole process will be far easier.

lost, can you get a different instructor or did you buy a package of lessons?

My instructor is actually really good.  I mean he's super persnickety about proper driving, but he's not rude and doesn't belittle me.  He doesn't say I'm the worst driver, just that I have too many bad habits I need to correct to pass the test.  I think he's well aware I'm just going to drive how I want after I pass. 

If you can I would change instructor because someone strict is good, but so is someone who makes you feel confident that can pass. 

As times has gone on since my first lesson last week I have had a chance to think more about the lesson and I'm beginning to agree with what you are saying about finding the right instructor.   

I am running out of time before my one year is up and cannot afford to suffer through countless lessons on the proper way to take a corner.  I understand I need to unlearn some bad habits but I really do not need the countless lectures either (plus it does nothing for my confidence).

Thanks for all your responses, I don't feel so alone in this experience any more.