DVLA titles for men and women

Titles are useful when they denote something like doctor, but the vast majority of people have no need of one. I don't know when the shift happened, but if you read literature like Jane Austen, only people above a certain level got any title. All the 'normal' people (who are few and far between in many novels of that era) were just firstname lastname.

Somewhere in the Victorian era, it seems like anyone with a pot to piss in started using a title. It implies a certain amount of wealth/land ownership, or did.

When I got my PhD I proudly sent off my certificate to my bank with a 'change of name' form to get 'Dr' put on my accounts (yeah, I know, it seemed like a good idea at the time!). They sent it back with a note saying it had clearly been sent in error and could I send my marriage certificate please?

I went into the branch and the lady on the counter pissed herself laughing and changed it then and there.

It happens at Wimbledon for the tennis as well I think - "game Miss Serena Williams" etc but no title for the male players.

It's the same with the official NY and Birthday Honours Lists. I know that there are all kinds of things wrong with those, but every time I read them it irks me that women get Miss / Mrs / Ms against them but men only get a title if it's Sir / Dr etc

I had to Renew my photo one and wanted change from Miss to ms but still sent it back as miss grrrr. Was ok when I was 17 but not 40plus.
It's not like I can prove my name change as it's just a preference. Has anyone actual changed theirs?

It would be so much simpler if people were just known by firstname lastname without a title.

For formal situations, the full name could be used (like bank writing a letter) and when you know someone you just use their first name. So much easier than worrying about the preferred form of address.

MsAwesomeDragon that's great to hear about your daughter! I'm "Miss" on my provisional licence unfortunately - going to make sure I'm "Ms" once I manage to acquire my proper one. I'm going to change my bank correspondence to "Ms" as well. Great your daughter already has it!

I was under the impression "Miss" was the correct title until an adult but would like to change to "Ms" - I suppose I should get to work doing so!

Unless you are a member of the aristocracy there is no such thing as a "correct title" for anyone. (Well there probably are within organised religions but I'm not much fussed about any of them)

It was the correct title for an unmarried woman so you would have changed it at 16 if you got married or not at all if you never did. They're not legal name changes anyway and you could use any title you like, so if you want to be Ms be Ms. Being called Miss when I got to this country felt very patronising. Hated it

My dd is the same age as you NoLove, she's Ms on her bank account and provisional driving licence. She was questioned about it when opening her bank account, but just said it saves changing anything later so they were happy to do what she wanted.

I am a mix of Ms and Miss, depending on whether I could be bothered to change it, or if I've need to update since I opened the account. I'm married, which confuses people when my driving licence says Miss.

I was under the impression "Miss" was the correct title until an adult but would like to change to "Ms" - I suppose I should get to work doing so!

iintend to be "Ms" everywhere once I'm 18 though

Why are you waiting until you're 18?? I've been Ms since I was 14 at least.

My response will be "is a title necessary?", no, ",that's great", or yes, "M S then". It'll sink in eventually, lets just all keep plodding on.

It's a persistent example of normalised sexism in society in my opinion. My name is mine and always will be. I can't see why it should be a given my brothers' surnames will always be the same but isn't with mine, simply due to my sex. It seems a woman's name/identity is never really deemed to be hers.

I have recently been gobsmacked by an acquaintance, an academic who got married in her late 40s.

She and her partner have been together since her mid 20s. She has been Ms HerName, Dr HerName, Professor HerName and is now Professor HisName.

The double gobsmack is her husband is also Professor HisName in the same university department

Why? HerName was a perfectly nice name.

when I said that I was married they said it had to be Mrs.

That is ridiculous Wing Commander. I would hope "Ms" is freely available now but having heard the difficulty many have had changing their title to "Ms" with their banks and so forth I fear it isn't (not to mention how many banks insist on "Mrs" if women marry).

Yes Datun I ended up as Mrs. Myname at an old job because apparently they didn't have a Ms option (2011 btw) I was asked in hushed, sympathetic tones if I was divorced and when I said that I was married they said it had to be Mrs. I had the same on a couple of CRB checks...no Ms available but I hope that's all changed now.

I am divorced now so no idea what effect that would have on the above conversation. I just prefer Wing Commander Holly now.

It really is ridiculous.

I can't personally see why there should be any titles other than "Ms" and "Mr" for adults. Seeing as men (and even boys) are always "Mr" there's no reason women shouldn't be "Ms". Even regardless of potential name changing by either partner upon marriage there's no need for other titles (obviously I don't mean to include "Dr" etc).

I intend to be "Ms" everywhere once I'm 18 though am braced for this being somewhat of a challenge (ridiculous though that is especially as my brothers are both already "Mr" on any correspondence they might receive other than from our grandfather who uses "Master" for them). My mum is "Mrs" which I can't deny I find quite a shame.

Why is it even necessary? I have my licence from another European country and there's not a word about my marital status there (i.e no titles, just name)

Yes , probably. I am still disappointed when someone changes to Mrs but I would be very surprised if someone changed from Miss to Ms.

I don't assume that Miss does mean some one isn't married I know plenty of married "Misses". I use Miss and Ms.

Do you think that's because of your profession? Doctors, lawyers, teachers, it seems to be common.