UK Driving License Information
Feb 2nd 2005, 10:35 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Perth
Posts: 3
UK Driving License Information
Just thought I'd post the following interesting information we received from the DVLA recently when we informed them we now had an Australian address.
I've seen previous posts stating you don't have to hand in UK license when obtaining your aussie version but this seems to confirm the opposite....
Apologies is this has already been mentioned.. we recv this email on
21/01/05:
------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER REF : ????
Thank you for your e-mail.
Changes to driving licence legislation from 1st January 97 were made in
order to implement the EC Second Directive on driving licences.
The Directive provides that drivers must not hold more than one full licence
from within the EC/EEA or from a country with which Great Britain has a
reciprocal exchange agreement.
Australia is a country with which Great Britain has a reciprocal exchange
agreement. Therefore, your British licence should have been surrendered to
the Australian Authority with your application for an Australian licence.
While your British driving entitlement will continue to be valid, the
validity of the driving licence has been superseded by the issue of the
Australian licence.
As you now appear to be in possession of two licences, you should return
your British licence to DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL with a short covering letter
explaining that you have obtained a Australian licence.
If/when you return to live in Great Britain, you will be able to apply for
the re-issue of your British licence by surrendering the Australian licence
with your application.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
Regards
Drivers Customer Enquiries C1
Tel no: 0870 240 0009
[email protected]
www.dvla.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------
Has anyone over here actually returned a UK license back to the DVLA??
I've seen previous posts stating you don't have to hand in UK license when obtaining your aussie version but this seems to confirm the opposite....
Apologies is this has already been mentioned.. we recv this email on
21/01/05:
------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER REF : ????
Thank you for your e-mail.
Changes to driving licence legislation from 1st January 97 were made in
order to implement the EC Second Directive on driving licences.
The Directive provides that drivers must not hold more than one full licence
from within the EC/EEA or from a country with which Great Britain has a
reciprocal exchange agreement.
Australia is a country with which Great Britain has a reciprocal exchange
agreement. Therefore, your British licence should have been surrendered to
the Australian Authority with your application for an Australian licence.
While your British driving entitlement will continue to be valid, the
validity of the driving licence has been superseded by the issue of the
Australian licence.
As you now appear to be in possession of two licences, you should return
your British licence to DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL with a short covering letter
explaining that you have obtained a Australian licence.
If/when you return to live in Great Britain, you will be able to apply for
the re-issue of your British licence by surrendering the Australian licence
with your application.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
Regards
Drivers Customer Enquiries C1
Tel no: 0870 240 0009
[email protected]
www.dvla.gov.uk
---------------------------------------------------
Has anyone over here actually returned a UK license back to the DVLA??
Last edited by JAJ; Feb 3rd 2005 at 2:09 am.
Feb 2nd 2005, 11:30 am
#2
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: pacific pines
Posts: 4,418
Re: UK Driving License Information
Thanks for letting us know,didnt know anything about handing your licence back 
Shall alert hubby to this!
Donna.
Shall alert hubby to this!Donna.
Feb 2nd 2005, 11:38 am
#3
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,277
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by pompeyphil
....
Has anyone over here actually returned a UK license back to the DVLA??
Has anyone over here actually returned a UK license back to the DVLA??
This is the reply I got when I asked them if I should notify them of my move to Oz.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER REF : ???????
Thank you for your e-mail.
As you are no longer living in GB then I am afraid we will be unable to change the address on your driving licence.
If you return to GB as a resident in the future to a different address to what is on your driving licence, then we can amend your details if required, at that time.
However, I would suggest that you contact the Licensing Authorities where you now reside for information regarding driving there.
Regards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I guess you got the correct official response, but I suspect they don't really care.
Regards
Alistair
Last edited by JAJ; Feb 3rd 2005 at 2:07 am.
Feb 2nd 2005, 12:30 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Leeds/UK
Posts: 231
Re: UK Driving License Information
Why hand it in, just to have to pay for a new one, if you return to the UK? 
What they don't know won't hurt them, and will save you money.
What they don't know won't hurt them, and will save you money.
Feb 2nd 2005, 1:42 pm
#5
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: UK Driving License Information
What happens if you have one of the retirement visas where you spend six months in Aus and six in UK - you would spend you whole time reapplying for licences 
Like Leedslad says - what they don't know etc.
Like Leedslad says - what they don't know etc.
Feb 2nd 2005, 5:20 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Mt Eliza, Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 589
Re: UK Driving License Information
Hi
I had intended to notify authorities of move to parents house in the uk. then keep it for when Im in the UK? What would be the consequence of doing that?
Irene
I had intended to notify authorities of move to parents house in the uk. then keep it for when Im in the UK? What would be the consequence of doing that?
Irene
Feb 2nd 2005, 6:11 pm
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 401
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by parkhigh
Hi
I had intended to notify authorities of move to parents house in the uk. then keep it for when Im in the UK? What would be the consequence of doing that?
Irene
I had intended to notify authorities of move to parents house in the uk. then keep it for when Im in the UK? What would be the consequence of doing that?
Irene
I am not going to tell them this time either, might change address to folks house though
Feb 2nd 2005, 7:33 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2003
Location: Mt Eliza, Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 589
Re: UK Driving License Information
Hi
Great thanks I think i might do the same. It will be a pain to get it renewed everytime we are back in the UK.
Irene
Great thanks I think i might do the same. It will be a pain to get it renewed everytime we are back in the UK.
Irene
Feb 2nd 2005, 7:41 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Townsville,north queensland! and loving it!!
Posts: 1,660
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by leedslad
Why hand it in, just to have to pay for a new one, if you return to the UK?
What they don't know won't hurt them, and will save you money.
What they don't know won't hurt them, and will save you money.
Feb 2nd 2005, 8:32 pm
#10
Banned
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Somerly,Perth
Posts: 545
Re: UK Driving License Information
Pompeyphil?????? not to be confused with Pompeywill 
Feb 2nd 2005, 8:40 pm
#11
What's happening dudes?
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Bayside Brisbane
Posts: 20,647
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by pompeyphil
As you now appear to be in possession of two licences, you should return
your British licence to DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL with a short covering letter
explaining that you have obtained a Australian licence.
your British licence to DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL with a short covering letter
explaining that you have obtained a Australian licence.
Feb 3rd 2005, 2:05 am
#12
Y Ddraig Goch
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Body is in Brissie. Heart and soul has long flown home.
Posts: 3,722
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by pompeyphil
Just thought I'd post the following interesting information we received from the DVLA recently when we informed them we now had an Australian address.
I've seen previous posts stating you don't have to hand in UK license when obtaining your aussie version but this seems to confirm the opposite....
Apologies is this has already been mentioned.. we recv this email on
21/01/05:
------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER REF : ????
Thank you for your e-mail.
Changes to driving licence legislation from 1st January 97 were made in
order to implement the EC Second Directive on driving licences.
The Directive provides that drivers must not hold more than one full licence
from within the EC/EEA or from a country with which Great Britain has a
reciprocal exchange agreement.
Australia is a country with which Great Britain has a reciprocal exchange
agreement. Therefore, your British licence should have been surrendered to
the Australian Authority with your application for an Australian licence.
While your British driving entitlement will continue to be valid, the
validity of the driving licence has been superseded by the issue of the
Australian licence.
As you now appear to be in possession of two licences, you should return
your British licence to DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL with a short covering letter
explaining that you have obtained a Australian licence.
If/when you return to live in Great Britain, you will be able to apply for
the re-issue of your British licence by surrendering the Australian licence
with your application.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
Regards
---------------------------------------------------
Has anyone over here actually returned a UK license back to the DVLA??
I've seen previous posts stating you don't have to hand in UK license when obtaining your aussie version but this seems to confirm the opposite....
Apologies is this has already been mentioned.. we recv this email on
21/01/05:
------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOMER REF : ????
Thank you for your e-mail.
Changes to driving licence legislation from 1st January 97 were made in
order to implement the EC Second Directive on driving licences.
The Directive provides that drivers must not hold more than one full licence
from within the EC/EEA or from a country with which Great Britain has a
reciprocal exchange agreement.
Australia is a country with which Great Britain has a reciprocal exchange
agreement. Therefore, your British licence should have been surrendered to
the Australian Authority with your application for an Australian licence.
While your British driving entitlement will continue to be valid, the
validity of the driving licence has been superseded by the issue of the
Australian licence.
As you now appear to be in possession of two licences, you should return
your British licence to DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL with a short covering letter
explaining that you have obtained a Australian licence.
If/when you return to live in Great Britain, you will be able to apply for
the re-issue of your British licence by surrendering the Australian licence
with your application.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
Regards
---------------------------------------------------
Has anyone over here actually returned a UK license back to the DVLA??
Also in Qld they don't take your Brit licence off you ( or punch it) like I've heard they do in other states. I hold a qld licence too.
some people are too honest for their good ,"oh yes here is my Brit licence..take it as I am technically no longer allowed to hold it"
I think some people must be mad to send them back in.
Aye
Cheers
Last edited by Ceri; Feb 3rd 2005 at 2:11 am.
Feb 3rd 2005, 2:16 am
#13
part-time Visa Angel!
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: half marathon runner!
Posts: 4,458
Re: UK Driving License Information
[Yep, my licence always has been (and is still) registered to my parents address. As with a lot of official stuff, I've always used this address as my perm. one, as in the past 7 years I've lived in 6 different houses, it would have just got too complicated. Though I have now moved my student loan/bank stuff over here.
If QLD want to punch a hole in my licence, fine, but I'm not giving it up. Even with the above info, I think the onus is on you to send your licence back, not for QLD Transport (or whichever state) to take it off you.
My UK licence belongs in my wallet with me
If QLD want to punch a hole in my licence, fine, but I'm not giving it up. Even with the above info, I think the onus is on you to send your licence back, not for QLD Transport (or whichever state) to take it off you.
My UK licence belongs in my wallet with me
Feb 3rd 2005, 3:17 am
#14
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,277
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by moneypen20
What happens if you have one of the retirement visas where you spend six months in Aus and six in UK - you would spend you whole time reapplying for licences Like Leedslad says - what they don't know etc.
Like Leedslad says - what they don't know etc.Regards
Alistair
Feb 3rd 2005, 3:36 am
#15
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Perth
Posts: 3
Re: UK Driving License Information
Originally Posted by pompeywill
Pompeyphil?????? not to be confused with Pompeywill