NI Number and UK Driving Licence
#16
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Be extremely careful what you tell DVLA when renewing your photocard ID when it expires and how you do it otherwise they may refuse to renew it if you are aware you are out of the Uk for more than 185 days and may even ask you to take a medical with your GP! Now their compromise is to issue a D737 Certificate, a standard Certificate they say for ex pats overseas. do all the processing while back in Uk
Thought it would be straight forward!!!!!!!
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 52
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
#
Well now in one sense 'no' and the other could be 'yes'. If you've only ever had a paper licence, it is currently 100% valid. I am not sure where the law stands one the issue of having a photo part and letting that lapse.
Ironically, the only photo ID I have with me on a regular basis (in my wallet) is my Oz DL and everyone seems to accept that (oh and my cycle racing licence which was good enough for library)
Well now in one sense 'no' and the other could be 'yes'. If you've only ever had a paper licence, it is currently 100% valid. I am not sure where the law stands one the issue of having a photo part and letting that lapse.
Ironically, the only photo ID I have with me on a regular basis (in my wallet) is my Oz DL and everyone seems to accept that (oh and my cycle racing licence which was good enough for library)
BTW as a non-resident you cannot apply for a renewal of a photo ID (again a criminal offense to state resident if not). This is also problematic tax-wise! Mine is running out in May so I will just leave it. I have a Malaysian licence anyway as I live in Malaysia. When overseas the DVLA can only issue an "entitlement to drive" to prove you can reclaim your licence again when resident again in UK. Yu can legally use a foreign licence for one year when returning home so plenty of time to sort that out if I ever return (unlikely).
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 21
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
I was in Scottys shoes and decided to be honest and explain I was out of the country for more than the 56 days as that is the time period they give you to renew after expiry. Now I have discovered they will not renew and will only issue D737 Certificate as explained above.
As I said, if you intend to renew, do it while in the Uk. Whether you are a resident outside of Uk and do not tell DVLA this detail is a matter for you to address in conscience and in law of course.
As I said, if you intend to renew, do it while in the Uk. Whether you are a resident outside of Uk and do not tell DVLA this detail is a matter for you to address in conscience and in law of course.
#19
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Hi actually you need both to legally drive. It is a criminal offense to drive without a valid photo licence (unless you have the old one that is still legal but only if address still current). You can (at least per DVLA) drive after the expiry date of the photo ID part if you can prove you have applied for a replacement and you haven't reached the expiry date of the paper one. However if you have an accident in th UK some insurance companies will default to "unlicensed" and you have to sue them! You will only get third party cover until that is resolved.
BTW as a non-resident you cannot apply for a renewal of a photo ID (again a criminal offense to state resident if not). This is also problematic tax-wise! Mine is running out in May so I will just leave it. I have a Malaysian licence anyway as I live in Malaysia. When overseas the DVLA can only issue an "entitlement to drive" to prove you can reclaim your licence again when resident again in UK. Yu can legally use a foreign licence for one year when returning home so plenty of time to sort that out if I ever return (unlikely).
BTW as a non-resident you cannot apply for a renewal of a photo ID (again a criminal offense to state resident if not). This is also problematic tax-wise! Mine is running out in May so I will just leave it. I have a Malaysian licence anyway as I live in Malaysia. When overseas the DVLA can only issue an "entitlement to drive" to prove you can reclaim your licence again when resident again in UK. Yu can legally use a foreign licence for one year when returning home so plenty of time to sort that out if I ever return (unlikely).
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 52
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Driving in the UK without an upto date photo card licence (except for the exceptions I noted) is a criminal offense where you will be prosecuted and fined 1,000 pounds. As such insurance is invalidated except for legal min third party insurance
#21
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Cite me the link on the DVLA that says it is illegal to drive on a paper licence only if you've never had a photo card, and you can have my car, free. I just rang the DVLA to make sure and their answer is 'as long as your paper licence reflects where you live now, there is no requirement at all to have a photo licence and is 100% legal to drive'
So, pretty much what I said then:roll eyes:
The link on the DVLA site gives the advantages of a photo card and how to go about getting one. Absolutely no mention of the myth you are attempting to state as truth.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...nce/DG_4022084
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 52
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
If tr1boy you can read I did add the exception that if you have the old style paper only driving licence and have not moved address then legal in UK. But not accepted in Europe - for that you need a photo licence to avoid difficulties. Considering that the average Brit moves once every 7 years I assume most expats thinking of returning home will have a photo licence or have moved before leaving UK. So what I originally said is 100% correct
It also a criminal offense with a 2000 Gbp fine to lie about residency. So not worth it. And most countries insist you have a local licence pretty soon (Malaysia is 3 months although I know many don't bother as easy to pay off polis).
It also a criminal offense with a 2000 Gbp fine to lie about residency. So not worth it. And most countries insist you have a local licence pretty soon (Malaysia is 3 months although I know many don't bother as easy to pay off polis).
#23
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
If tr1boy you can read I did add the exception that if you have the old style paper only driving licence and have not moved address then legal in UK. But not accepted in Europe - for that you need a photo licence to avoid difficulties. Considering that the average Brit moves once every 7 years I assume most expats thinking of returning home will have a photo licence or have moved before leaving UK. So what I originally said is 100% correct
It also a criminal offense with a 2000 Gbp fine to lie about residency. So not worth it. And most countries insist you have a local licence pretty soon (Malaysia is 3 months although I know many don't bother as easy to pay off polis).
It also a criminal offense with a 2000 Gbp fine to lie about residency. So not worth it. And most countries insist you have a local licence pretty soon (Malaysia is 3 months although I know many don't bother as easy to pay off polis).
Hi actually you need both to legally drive.
Here is what I wrote:
If you've only ever had a paper licence, it is currently 100% valid. I am not sure where the law stands one the issue of having a photo part and letting that lapse.
I did add the exception that if you have the old style paper only driving licence and have not moved address then legal in UK.
It is a criminal offense to drive without a valid photo licence (unless you have the old one that is still legal but only if address still current).
Nowhere did I say that a paper licence is legal if it does not have your current address and I have no idea why you have made that assumption?
#24
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Hello
Can anyone clarify exactly what the procedure is for getting reissued with a UK license on return from Expatia?
We loved in CH for 4 years and surrenedered our uk licenses to the canton authority in exchange for Swiss ones.
On moving to USin 2008 we got issued Licenses from the state of NJ.
Will be moving in 3 weeks to guildford ( I have not lived there before)
How do I get DVLA to issue me with my old licence without having to resist test etc.
- I have no details of old licence (eg number etc). I wil
Not be returning to a prebious address.
Many thanks!
Tony
Can anyone clarify exactly what the procedure is for getting reissued with a UK license on return from Expatia?
We loved in CH for 4 years and surrenedered our uk licenses to the canton authority in exchange for Swiss ones.
On moving to USin 2008 we got issued Licenses from the state of NJ.
Will be moving in 3 weeks to guildford ( I have not lived there before)
How do I get DVLA to issue me with my old licence without having to resist test etc.
- I have no details of old licence (eg number etc). I wil
Not be returning to a prebious address.
Many thanks!
Tony
#25
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Hello
Can anyone clarify exactly what the procedure is for getting reissued with a UK license on return from Expatia?
We loved in CH for 4 years and surrenedered our uk licenses to the canton authority in exchange for Swiss ones.
On moving to USin 2008 we got issued Licenses from the state of NJ.
Will be moving in 3 weeks to guildford ( I have not lived there before)
How do I get DVLA to issue me with my old licence without having to resist test etc.
- I have no details of old licence (eg number etc). I wil
Not be returning to a prebious address.
Many thanks!
Tony
Can anyone clarify exactly what the procedure is for getting reissued with a UK license on return from Expatia?
We loved in CH for 4 years and surrenedered our uk licenses to the canton authority in exchange for Swiss ones.
On moving to USin 2008 we got issued Licenses from the state of NJ.
Will be moving in 3 weeks to guildford ( I have not lived there before)
How do I get DVLA to issue me with my old licence without having to resist test etc.
- I have no details of old licence (eg number etc). I wil
Not be returning to a prebious address.
Many thanks!
Tony
I'm currently in Switzerland (Zug) and fortunately still had my old pink UK driving licence from 1987 (we still have our house in the UK) and had to go to get a Swiss driving licence last week. It was a breeze to hand over the UK one, didn't fancy having to take a driving test in German... I'm still living in NJ part of the time and have a car there, so I need to keep that licence. I got my new Swiss licence in the post just 2 days later
I understand that the DVLC in Swansea should still have you on record for having a British driving licence. You will need to tell them your full name, DOB and the address which was on your old UK licence. My spouse had to phone them recently as he'd lost his British and NJ licences and only had his Singapore driving licence.....and didn't want to take a driving test in Switzerland. We haven't lived in England for 17 years. They were suprisingly helpful at the DVLC and sent him a (hand written!) note confirming his UK driving licence number and dates etc. which the Zug canton accepted. If I were you Swiss Tony, I'd give them a ring and explain the situation if you don't have your Swiss licence.
http://www.englishforum.ch/permits-v...g-license.html
http://uk.angloinfo.com/transport/dr...ence-exchange/
#26
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Be extremely careful what you tell DVLA when renewing your photocard ID when it expires and how you do it otherwise they may refuse to renew it if you are aware you are out of the Uk for more than 185 days and may even ask you to take a medical with your GP! Now their compromise is to issue a D737 Certificate, a standard Certificate they say for ex pats overseas. do all the processing while back in Uk
#27
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
What did the NJ DMV do with your Swiss driving licence? Did they retain it (although they shouldn't have) or give it back to you?
I'm currently in Switzerland (Zug) and fortunately still had my old pink UK driving licence from 1987 (we still have our house in the UK) and had to go to get a Swiss driving licence last week. It was a breeze to hand over the UK one, didn't fancy having to take a driving test in German... I'm still living in NJ part of the time and have a car there, so I need to keep that licence. I got my new Swiss licence in the post just 2 days later
I understand that the DVLC in Swansea should still have you on record for having a British driving licence. You will need to tell them your full name, DOB and the address which was on your old UK licence. My spouse had to phone them recently as he'd lost his British and NJ licences and only had his Singapore driving licence.....and didn't want to take a driving test in Switzerland. We haven't lived in England for 17 years. They were suprisingly helpful at the DVLC and sent him a (hand written!) note confirming his UK driving licence number and dates etc. which the Zug canton accepted. If I were you Swiss Tony, I'd give them a ring and explain the situation if you don't have your Swiss licence.
http://www.englishforum.ch/permits-v...g-license.html
http://uk.angloinfo.com/transport/dr...ence-exchange/
I'm currently in Switzerland (Zug) and fortunately still had my old pink UK driving licence from 1987 (we still have our house in the UK) and had to go to get a Swiss driving licence last week. It was a breeze to hand over the UK one, didn't fancy having to take a driving test in German... I'm still living in NJ part of the time and have a car there, so I need to keep that licence. I got my new Swiss licence in the post just 2 days later
I understand that the DVLC in Swansea should still have you on record for having a British driving licence. You will need to tell them your full name, DOB and the address which was on your old UK licence. My spouse had to phone them recently as he'd lost his British and NJ licences and only had his Singapore driving licence.....and didn't want to take a driving test in Switzerland. We haven't lived in England for 17 years. They were suprisingly helpful at the DVLC and sent him a (hand written!) note confirming his UK driving licence number and dates etc. which the Zug canton accepted. If I were you Swiss Tony, I'd give them a ring and explain the situation if you don't have your Swiss licence.
http://www.englishforum.ch/permits-v...g-license.html
http://uk.angloinfo.com/transport/dr...ence-exchange/
#28
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
Not only is it illegal to say you are GB resident if you are not, but using a UK address (especially for a purpose like this) is something that could be taken by the tax authorities as indicative of you having retained UK residence or domicile for tax purposes.
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: Toronto To Skipton Yorkshire
Posts: 88
Re: NI Number and UK Driving Licence
yes, your NI number is yours for life, Driving licence easy, just fill in the form send in your old licence to the DVLA, and in 2 weeks you will get a new one.