We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Driving licence help
Options
Hello all,
I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out how do sort my licence out.
Basically I only have a motorcycle paper licence. It is a full licence and I got it in 1994.
I haven't used it since about 1996 so I didn't bother to get a photo licence.
Firstly am I going to be in trouble for not changing to a photo licence?
Secondly, I want to learn to drive a car, do I have to apply for a brand new licence as my paper one has fallen apart and having just checked I have lost part of it. Or do I have to get a replacement licence?
Lastly, am I right in saying that all motorbike licences pre 2000 had class B1 on them and does this mean I wouldn't have to do my theory test?
Thanks for any help, I'm so confused!
I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out how do sort my licence out.
Basically I only have a motorcycle paper licence. It is a full licence and I got it in 1994.
I haven't used it since about 1996 so I didn't bother to get a photo licence.
Firstly am I going to be in trouble for not changing to a photo licence?
Secondly, I want to learn to drive a car, do I have to apply for a brand new licence as my paper one has fallen apart and having just checked I have lost part of it. Or do I have to get a replacement licence?
Lastly, am I right in saying that all motorbike licences pre 2000 had class B1 on them and does this mean I wouldn't have to do my theory test?
Thanks for any help, I'm so confused!
0
Comments
-
Paper licences are still valid, although you may need to get a photo one if yours is that bad!!
When you pass your car test you would need to apply for a new one anyway - which will be a photo one.0 -
I've only just changed from the pink car one (passed 1989) to the new photocard one with 3 different changes of address but not changed the licence. Only in the last couple of years insurance companies seem to want photocopies of licence.
Only did it because insurance now insist on it.
Never got in trouble.0 -
Firstly am I going to be in trouble for not changing to a photo licence?
Does it have your current address on it? If not, you'll need to change it - and that means a photocard. If/when you pass your car test, you'll get a photocard anyway. If it's current, then you're fine, unless it's illegibly knackered.Secondly, I want to learn to drive a car, do I have to apply for a brand new licence as my paper one has fallen apart and having just checked I have lost part of it. Or do I have to get a replacement licence?
No, it acts as a provisional for car.Lastly, am I right in saying that all motorbike licences pre 2000 had class B1 on them and does this mean I wouldn't have to do my theory test?
The theory test is only needed for your first full licence. The logic goes that, since you have a full licence, you've already proven that you understand the basic concepts of road use and hazard perception.
TBH, though, if you've not ridden in nearly 20yrs, it might not be a bad plan to do the theory and hazard perception tests anyway..0 -
Current address is good but the legal requirement is an address at which you can be contacted
Mine is still at my parents house where I haven't lived since 19790 -
In theory you should be able to take your test with a paper licence, but the test centre might not accept it if it's in several pieces, and they almost certainly wouldn't if not all the pieces are there. Probably best to get a new one before you do the test if it's as bad as you suggest.0
-
Do it online, https://www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence that way you don't have to send in the old licence until you get the new one.0
-
-
Does it have your current address on it? If not, you'll need to change it - and that means a photocard. If/when you pass your car test, you'll get a photocard anyway. If it's current, then you're fine, unless it's illegibly knackered.
The theory test is only needed for your first full licence. The logic goes that, since you have a full licence, you've already proven that you understand the basic concepts of road use and hazard perception.
TBH, though, if you've not ridden in nearly 20yrs, it might not be a bad plan to do the theory and hazard perception tests anyway..
Thanks for the info. Yes it is in my current address and yes I totally agree about the not riding for 20 years.
Thanks everyone for the help. It is in 3 separate pieces although having checked I do have all of it. I didn't know the categories had changed. Apparently back in 1995 a full bike licence was A and B1.
Thanks again all :beer:0 -
Thanks for the info. Yes it is in my current address and yes I totally agree about the not riding for 20 years.
Thanks everyone for the help. It is in 3 separate pieces although having checked I do have all of it. I didn't know the categories had changed. Apparently back in 1995 a full bike licence was A and B1.
Thanks again all :beer:
You don't need to swap it for the photocard. My Dad passed his test over thirty years ago and still has his original license. It's in about 8 pieces, but sellotaped together. He's refusing to change it as he doesn't need to, and hasn't ever had the need to.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards