lost driving license

[buzzyb]

Help!

I have been told by DVLA i do not hold a full driving license!

I passed my driving test about 30 years ago. In that time I've moved around quite a bit and over the years lost many personal documents ie test cert and original license. I don't drive that often so it has not really been a problem.

I have contacted the test center and they don't have records of my passing my test either,

I may be getting old and slightly forgetful but I know i took my test and past and I remember getting my driving license but there does not seem to be any record of it anywhere.

Is there anything i can do? I really don't want to have to take my test again.

thanks

[oldhamfan]

Have you ever had your licence endorsed with any points? This will be on record. Have you ever had a photocopy taken by an employer for work reasons?

This has happened to several people and was featured on the BBC Watchdog Programme.

[buzzyb]

Morning Oldhamfan

Don't think I ever had it photocopied and definitely no points. I drive as little as possible and one of those sad 30 mph drivers!

I'll do some digging around with Watchdog see what i can find out.

Thanks for the info.

[gouldc]

Did they mention that you had revoked full entitlement? We see this a lot where we get a licence history for one of our policyholder's with revolked entitlement.

This happens because somenoe moves address without updating the DVLA. They get a speeding ticket, but don't respond as it goes to the wrong address, and the DVLA ''revoke'' the licence until you send it in to be updated - it's not a big issue though

[buzzyb]

Morning gouldc

The letter i received from DVLA simply said they had no record of a driving license with the name and address supplied.

I've never bother about my license because i don't drive very often. Now i want and need my own car I want my license.

Someone else advised me to contact the test centre for confirmation of test/pass date and Hither Green test centre has not record of my test/pass.

It's like I never had a provisional license, past my test or even had a full license.

I have simply disappeared!

[oldhamfan]

Please see the following link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/05/dv la_update.html

[R1Geezer]

Do you know your driver number? They probably have you but at an old address. Have you an old licence anywhere that can show that you had the entitlement? As above ths whole issue was rasied on watchdog a few weeks ago. One woman for example had one of the old little red books and she had to take it to DVLA and they reinstated her records. They have lost some records over the years.

[Panic Button]

Have you ever been required to drive by an employer?

If so they may have copied your licence. Even if they no onger hold a copy, someone senior there might vouch to the DVLA that they checked your licence when you were employed.

MEMO TO ALL - photocopy your licence tomorrow!
Some people are losing their HGV, PCV or motorcycle entitlement when they renew, and have no proof they ever had it.

The DVLA are a shower.

[Postdog]

And what about insurance. Someone somewhere must have a record that you were insured.

[gouldc]

The DVLA are a complete shower of cretins - I have the misfortune of dealing with them (attempting at least) on a daily basis.

They change procedures and forms without letting anyone know, so when we make a request one day, it's out of date the next.

I would ask if you've ever had an insurance claim in the past, rather than insurance. You don't have to provide a copy of your licence for the policy, but on occasion the insurer will ask for a copy?

I have to admit that this is a scenario I'e not seen myself, but it wouldn't surprise me that they've simply lost all your details. Did you ever get a photocard licence?

[buzzyb]

My license was the old paper one before the photocard. I have never owned my own car and always used my partners when necessary therefore on their insurance.

Because i am a sad person who has never been stopped, rarely speed, don't drink and drive etc etc it seems easy to loose someone.

I think i'm gonna have to go through the stress of sitting my test again. HELP!!!

[R1Geezer]

Have you tried givig them your driver number? and doing a search on that?

[buzzyb]

Wots a driver number? If that is the number of my license then I don't have it because I mislaid my license years ago.

Like many people, when you're young you don't bother with such things. It's only when you finally grow up that you realize what an idiot you were when you were a kid.

[R1Geezer]

Just like a car reg there is a driver reg called a driver number, they will have it if you where ever known to the DVLA.

It is a 16 character code made up using you name initials and date of birth. So Fred John Bloggs born 02/03/87 has a number where the first 13 digits are:
BLOGG802037FJ followed by NXX where N is numeric and XX is alphabetic (random)

If you Have a list of the addresses you have been at since you had a licence and work out the first 13 of your own driver number.

As others have said above they are a shower so they'll need som badgering but they probably do have you.

There are some variations if names are short and initials missing etc, here are the full rules:

http://www.crbs.org.uk/news/documents/Identity Checks.pdf

[factor-fiction]

Do you know the address you were at when you got your licence? if you have never notified DVLA of a change of address they should still have your name linked to the old address. That plus your date of birth should enable them to trace you.

[cassa333]

If when you moved did you tell them? If they don't have you as having a licience from your address try asking at the address you lived at when you passed.

[hc4361]

Is the DVLA saying you have a provisional licence only? When you passed your test did you send the paperwork off? The test certificate should have been sent to DVLA with your provisional.

[buzzyb]

DVLA do not have any record of my provisional or my full driving license.

I gave them my parents address as I was still living at home when i passed my test. Even though I am sure I never notified DVLA I had moved from my parents house (they are still living there) I have also given them other permanent addresses.

I simply do not exist!