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chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

I have been living in the UK under a Tier2 visa for almost 2 years now. I have decided to apply for a provisional driving license and then take the test here but there is one thing that keeps me from doing it: having to send my passport in the post. I can't bear to think what would be of me if it got lost.

Is there any way of paying an additional fee or something of the sort in order to be able to get the passport sent by currier or some other super-secure way? Is it possible to apply in person without having to send the documents by post? Can I just send authenticated copies or something similar?

Also, my work requires that I travel abroad relatively frequently so I can't afford to be without my passport for long. Does anyone know how long it might take to get my passport back (regardless of when the driving license is actually issued).

Any previous experiences and advice from fellow ex-pats would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

cs95tdg · Guru Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 2116 Location: London

Most of the information you require will be available on the directgov website below, if not you can call the enquiry line:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_10012514

It's been around 3 years since I applied for my provisional licence, but I did post my passport with the application & included a special delivery envelope for the passport to be returned. From what I can recall I received the licence and passport within 2 weeks, but the guidance at the time was that it could take upto 4. As with everything else the processing time will depend on how busy the DVLA are.
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Nz made · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject:

If you go into the Wimbledon branch in london you only need to show your passport or other country drivers license, rather than give it to them
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chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Wow! I had completely forgotten about this post and was about to go tomorrow to the post office to surrender my passport but I checked and there are all these replies.

Fantastic!! Thanks so much for the help. So I just have to show up at the Wimbledon office with the form, picture and passport and they will process the thing without having to leave my passport, right?

Thanks again so much for the info!

chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Well I just came back from Wimbledon and I'm bearing bad news. They still wanted to take my passport and send it to Swansea. I guess it only works if you are either UK citizen or other select commonwealth countries. *sigh*

cs95tdg · Guru Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 2116 Location: London

chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

I think they are basically the ones that allow for license exchange (e.g. NZ or Australia).

vkasturi · Newbie Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 9

I sent my passport to Swansea and got it back in 5 working days. It helps to send it via special post along with a self addressed special envelope for them to send it back. You can track the delivery and the return status. It would cost you £12 for this but you can be assured that it will work fine.

My neighbour too got his passport back within a week. There is no reason to panic / worry in my opinion

tanabrennan · BANNED Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 64 Location: scot

can my hobby use his non eea driving licence here in uk?

dorian1986 · Junior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 35

let me ask about this issue.unfortunately my passport is at Home Office i dont think i will get it up to 3 months.i want to have a british driving license.is it possible to get one with my turkish driving license or my national ID?

chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Hi vkasturi.

Thanks for the reply. I've actually just seen it as I was so disappointed with the whole thing that I completely forgot about it.

So, just to clarify, you just went to the post office, sent it via special post with a self addressed envelope along with the application form, payment and photos and that was it, right?

To be honest the thing is that I also need my passport most of the time as I need to travel constantly. However, if I don't take the risk I'll never get to drive here.

Thanks!

chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Hi all. Sorry for keeping on bringing this thread up but just had one final question. Given that I have to travel quite a bit, I have ran out of pages on my original passport (the one with the entry clearance) and I am currently using a new passport which I always present at immigration along with the one with the UK entry clearance.

My question is, when sending the stuff to Swansea, do I have to send both passport (including the one with the UK entry clearance) or will the new one suffice? Needless to say, would sleep better if I don't have to send the one with the UK entry clearance.

Thanks

cs95tdg · Guru Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 2116 Location: London

They use the passport as a form of photo identification. Therefore I'd say that. so long as the passport you send, hasn't expired then you will be fine. There is no requirement for your passport to contain your EC or leave to remain vignette for DVLA photo identification purposes, as they would not be using the passport to verify your current immigration status, IMHO. You may want to verify this on the directgov website to confirm.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence#what-you-need-to-know
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Info/Advice I provide is general in nature and shouldn't be used as a substitute for professional advice where necessary.
Please post your questions in the open forums available here instead of via PM to me, so others can also benefit from the answers.

chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Thanks for the reply cs95tdg. I actually called and they told me that they do need some proof that I have at least 6 more months leave to remain in the UK therefore I will have to send the passport with the UK entry clearance as well. Oh well.....fingers crossed, I'll try my luck tomorrow.

cs95tdg · Guru Joined: 22 Apr 2012 Posts: 2116 Location: London

Thats interesting, I never knew that. I suppose the reason I didn't was because before your EC & leave to remain was stamped in your passport whereas now it's on a BRP. I'm guessing this means you will need to send your BRP (if you have one), rather than passport as your Photo ID when applying for the licence.

Good to know, as this doesn't appear to be stated on the directgov site.
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Info/Advice I provide is general in nature and shouldn't be used as a substitute for professional advice where necessary.
Please post your questions in the open forums available here instead of via PM to me, so others can also benefit from the answers.

chssvl · Junior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Well, in my case I don't have a BRP but just the UK Entry clearance on my passport. Actually, I believe that if you have a BRP you could just send that instead of sending the passports.