Provisional Driving Licences

PigginSkint

My OH has recently celebrated his 40th birthday. His mum gave him a reasonable sum of money as a present. When she spoke to me about it she said that her idea was to give him enough for us to have a short break away somewhere. However, OH would like to use this money to learn to drive instead. This is something I thoroughly approve of!

My query is in 2 parts:

(1) What is the expiry date on provisional licences? Is it at age 70 like full licences? (Well mine is because I have the old style paper licence) I have searched round the Direct Gov website and I can't find an answer to this question. OH had a provisional licence many years ago and wonders whether it might still be valid.

(2) Is it possible to get replacement provisional licences? It is highly unlikely that OH will be able to find his old licence, even if it is still valid. Cost for new provisional = £50, cost for replacement licence = £20, so obviously very MSE if it is possible to get a replacement provisional!:money:

catflea

Certainly the photocard provisionals are only valid for a short period (thought it was 2 years, but happy to be corrected)

anewman

Paper ones are valid until the expiry date displayed (which I think is based on age and well beyond 40 years old.)

He will need his license to show the driving instructor and driving examiner on a test anyway, so will need to buy a photo driving license. It makes things easier when you come to need the full license anyway.

They no longer issue paper licenses so you might have to stump up the £50 unfortunately.

PigginSkint

catflea wrote: »

Certainly the photocard provisionals are only valid for a short period (thought it was 2 years, but happy to be corrected)

Thanks! I have just spoken to OH (he is out running errands at the moment!) and he says he is almost sure his old one was only valid for 2 years - this was 20 years ago so probably old paper version. Does this sound about right? (I started driving 22 years ago and passed 21 years ago so really can't remember much about provisional licences!)

Assuming his old one has expired will he need to apply for a new 1st one (£50) or replacement (£20)? I am guessing that the former is the case but if there is any chance of saving a bit of dosh it is worth investigating!

PigginSkint

anewman wrote: »

Paper ones are valid until the expiry date displayed (which I think is based on age and well beyond 40 years old.)

He will need his license to show the driving instructor and driving examiner on a test anyway, so will need to buy a photo driving license. It makes things easier when you come to need the full license anyway.

They no longer issue paper licenses so you might have to stump up the £50 unfortunately.

Hmmm - I thought so! Oh well!

He is keen to get started asap so wants to get his provisional sorted soon - I am just trying to avoid him barging ahead and spending more money than he needs to, in his haste to get started. He is not a practised MSE-er like me!

Kurtis_Blue

PigginSkint wrote: »

Thanks! I have just spoken to OH (he is out running errands at the moment!) and he says he is almost sure his old one was only valid for 2 years - this was 20 years ago so probably old paper version. Does this sound about right? (I started driving 22 years ago and passed 21 years ago so really can't remember much about provisional licences!)

Assuming his old one has expired will he need to apply for a new 1st one (£50) or replacement (£20)? I am guessing that the former is the case but if there is any chance of saving a bit of dosh it is worth investigating!

Doesnt matter that the driving licences are now photo, the replacement cost of £20 still stands to exchange paper with photo.

MX5huggy

The provisional will be valid for way more than 2 years, I expect it was indefinite, I would ring the DVLA to find out if he has a valid licence outstanding.

PigginSkint

MX5huggy wrote: »

The provisional will be valid for way more than 2 years, I expect it was indefinite, I would ring the DVLA to find out if he has a valid licence outstanding.

Sounds like a plan -thanks!

pulliptears

If it helps, DS's Provisional arrived last week (he's 17 on sunday) and appears to be valid for ten years.

axomoxia

"Valid for two years" sounds like the old provisional motorcycle entitlement. Did he have a provisional car and bike licence?

millsymuttleylaugh

I have a provisional licence, I got it in 2007 and its valid until 2017, however on the entitlements at the back they are valid until 2059 when I'll be 70. So I assume they expect you to progress onto a full licence before you've had your provisional 10 years.

This link might help give you some more information

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/DG_4022085