Who can sign 1st Provisional License

Jasonh2015

Morning, I signed my friends sons passport application because I’m a professional in financial services, but the rules seem to be slightly different for a drivers license. Her daughter wants to get a provisional license, and I’m not on the list. I might be reading it wrong, any thoughts? 

JamoLew

The person signing the form and photo must:

• hold a valid GB photocard driving licence
• be resident in the UK
• know you personally
• not be a relative
• not be living at the same address as you

Suitable people include a current or retired:

• local business person or shopkeeper
• librarian
• professionally qualified person, for example a lawyer, teacher or engineer
• police officer
• bank or building society staff member
• civil servant
• minister of religion
• magistrate
• local councillor
• Member of Parliament, Assembly Member, or Member of the Scottish Parliament

Do you have a recognised,professional qualification or are you a local business person ?

Which particular "heading" did you come under for signing the passport photo ?

Jasonh2015

Insurance agent/broker/intermediary and my professional qualifications were gained through the Chartered Insurance Institute. I also had a DBS and credit check with my employer before I started. The reason I ask is my occupation is literally stated on the Passport website and I wouldn’t want to cause any problems. Many thanks 

Grumpy_chap

JamoLew said:

• professionally qualified person, for example a lawyer, teacher or engineer

"Professional Qualified Person" I have always understood means, for example a Chartered Accountant with Chartership from an Institution having Royal Charter.  Not simply anyone who works in a role in the Accounts Department.  Similar differentials for other professions.

JamoLew

I tried to find some clarification on what exactly “professionally qualified” means but couldn’t see anything definitive.

The passport list is also interesting as it states Nurse but appears to exclude virtually every other health care professional under the AHP designation

MX5huggy

Just send it off, this really is not a significant part of the process these days. 

I note bank staff is ok that’s just a low paid job these days. Local councillor, a collection including peadophiles and benefits fraudsters in my local area. 

JamoLew

MX5huggy said:

Just send it off, this really is not a significant part of the process these days. 

I note bank staff is ok that’s just a low paid job these days. Local councillor, a collection including peadophiles and benefits fraudsters in my local area. 

So true -
much of that list reads like a who’s who of who not to trust and believe

chrisw

I've signed a few things as a chartered professional but no one has ever come back to check that I am actually qualified.

TooManyPoints

Strangely I have been providing countersignatures for many things over quite a few years. None has ever queried my "bona fides" until a month or so ago. I countersigned an Estate Declaration for a Life Insurance claim. I received a call from the insurers asking me to provide proof of my qualification to sign.

[Deleted User]

TooManyPoints said:

Strangely I have been providing countersignatures for many things over quite a few years. None has ever queried my "bona fides" until a month or so ago. I countersigned an Estate Declaration for a Life Insurance claim. I received a call from the insurers asking me to provide proof of my qualification to sign.

There’s probably big money at stake in this case. 

user1977

TooManyPoints said:

Strangely I have been providing countersignatures for many things over quite a few years. None has ever queried my "bona fides" until a month or so ago. I countersigned an Estate Declaration for a Life Insurance claim. I received a call from the insurers asking me to provide proof of my qualification to sign.

I've heard (here or elsewhere) of the passport office phoning countersignatories to check up on them (they do ask for contact details) so it appears to be common practice for them at least - though I think it's more to check that their signature hasn't been forged, rather than because their credentials aren't believed.