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Middle name on driving licence misspelled.

Hi all, has anyone come cross this problem ? After holding a paper licence for 40+ years, I decided to apply for a photo card licence to help when needing photo ID, as I don't have a passport. After trying a number of times trying to apply on line at DVLA, it came up as 'no record found' of my driving licence. Eventually I realised that when my licence was issued to me all those years ago they misspelled my middle name 'Michael', they had put the 'E' before the 'A'. So when I tried online again and spelt it 'wrong' as typed on my paper licence, my drivers licence record came up. Obviously I had never noticed the error as I've never had to produce my licence, no points, it's sqeaky clean lol, and stayed hidden in a drawer all those years. The DVLA site say I can send my birth certificate for ID which is spelt correctly 'A' before the 'E', but then obviously it won't match my middle name spelling on my licence.  Anyone know what my next move is ?  Everything appears to be done on computers these day, I can't even make a phone call without a voice repeating over and over 'press button so and so'.  I know what computers are like even with a misspelled password, can anyone please advise ? Thanks.

Comments

  • Herzlos
    Herzlos Posts: 15,202 Forumite
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    I'd just leave the spelling wrong and avoid all the hassle, it's obviously not mattered for the last 40 years.
  • I once worked with a guy called Micheal. In your situation I can't see what the problem might be - in the event of a police spot check just say your name is spelt ea and let it go.
  • theoretica
    theoretica Posts: 12,656 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Apply for your new driving license with a note asking for the clerical error to be corrected and your birth certificate as evidence.
    But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,
    Had the whole of their cash in his care.
    Lewis Carroll
  • Jenni_D
    Jenni_D Posts: 5,224 Forumite
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    edited 10 June 2021 at 11:03AM
    Digital copy of the birth certificate with an online application? (I doubt anyone would recommend sending anything to DVLA by post at the moment - the backlog is big enough as it is).
    Jenni x
  • Biggus_Dickus
    Biggus_Dickus Posts: 1,636 Forumite
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    Herzlos said:
    I'd just leave the spelling wrong and avoid all the hassle, it's obviously not mattered for the last 40 years.

    Completely agree with this 100% !!!

    There are too many DVLA admin horror stories when attempting to get seemingly minor inconsistencies corrected.

    The DVLA help-desk staff are mindless automatons who are guided by strict procedure and what appears to be a simple matter can quickly escalate into a problem of huge proportions;...I’ve been on the end of the DVLA’s intransigence on a couple of occasions and it’s a deeply unpleasant experience.


  • Jaybee_16
    Jaybee_16 Posts: 480 Forumite
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    Jenni_D said:
    Digital copy of the birth certificate with an online application? (I doubt anyone would recommend sending anything to DVLA by post at the moment - the backlog is big enough as it is).
    Not relevant to the OP, but last month I sent my PCV licence renewal by post to DVLA and it was returned in 3 weeks or so. PCV renewal and address change. 
  • Jenni_D
    Jenni_D Posts: 5,224 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Perhaps PCV licences are handled by a different section with a specific address identifier? (Is a PCV licence a separate licence rather than a category added to a standard licence? If yes then I imagine the volume of mail in respect of PCV is far smaller than for car driver licences).
    Jenni x
  • castle96
    castle96 Posts: 2,952 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    My DL middle name Paul. My BC and passport (quoted this passport No when getting a card DL) is Charles. Long story on that but no problems resulted. Original paper DL was from 50 yrs ago
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Herzlos said:
    I'd just leave the spelling wrong and avoid all the hassle, it's obviously not mattered for the last 40 years.
    I don't have a middle made according to my driving licence, years ago I tended not to use it, I do now.

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