Driving licence help

crystal75

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!

Rover_Driver

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.

trollopscarletwoman

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.

AdrianC

crystal75 wrote: »

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..

vaio

AdrianC wrote: »

Does it have your current address on it? If not, you'll need to change it......

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 1979

AdrianC

vaio wrote: »

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 1979

Technically, that's true. But if ever you need to explain to your insurers why your licence is to a completely different address to the one you gave them - especially if they deem it a higher risk area - you may wish you'd been slightly less pedantic... Given how useful I find the photocard as general proof of ID, I've never understood this antipathy to it. Especially given that it's usually a humph around the cost of renewal. Two quid a year... <swoon>

Aretnap

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.

Nodding_Donkey

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.

trollopscarletwoman

vaio wrote: »

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 1979

yes, I agree.

But if you listen to insurance companies you'd think you were committing crime of the century.

crystal75

AdrianC wrote: »

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:

F1F93

crystal75 wrote: »

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.