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Original poster

Can't get a provisional driving license because apparently I already have one... But I don't, or at least if I do I don't remember getting it...!?

56 replies

Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:14

As title really.

I'm 40 and have recently started earning enough money that I can afford driving lessons at long last. But my forms for a provisional have been returned with a note saying I already have one Confused

It's not impossible that I applied for one as a student 20 ish years ago but I don't actually remember doing so and have no record of the license itself.

I've rung the DVLA numerous times to try and sort this out and they say that without either the license number or address used when it was applied for, they can't help me.

I don't have the license number because I don't have the license! I've searched all my old paperwork and nothing has turned up. I have absolutely no idea what address was used - if I did apply previously it would have been during my student years when I moved about 15 times in 3 years between 1998 and 2001, I don't even remember all my student and holiday addresses now and have no way to find them all out. I don't remember applying for a provisional at all, but it's possible I did on a whim (ridiculous as I would never have been able to afford lessons!).

WtF? Is there really no way out of this?

OP posts:
GummyGoddess · 16/08/2019 22:15

Can you report it stolen?

BettaSplenden · 16/08/2019 22:15

Surely they can sort this? What would they do if it was identity theft?

Joopy · 16/08/2019 22:17

I think you have to write down all your addresses from when you were 17, have you tried using your parents address?

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Driving & parking
Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:18

I don't know! I don't want to waste police time by reporting it stolen/identity fraud when I've no real reason to think it was either, but at the same time it could easily have been...

You'd think this was something that happened every now and then and that they had a way to sort it wouldn't you. But they are adamant that without either license number or postcode there is nothing they can do. I've rung about a dozen times!

OP posts:
Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:20

The forms I filled in and sent out a few months ago didn't ask for past addresses from the age of 17?

OP posts:
BuffaloCauliflower · 16/08/2019 22:21

Could someone else have the same name as you? Or potential identity fraud?

Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:21

I've tried 7 different addresses that I managed to remember or get from ex flatmates (including my parents addresses, they're seperated so I've tried both) btw

OP posts:
TheInvestigator · 16/08/2019 22:21

Contact your MP. They are there to help you when red tape nonsense gets in your way. They can't change the rules but they might be able to get you a dedicated person working to help sort it.

Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:22

I do have an extremely common name (along the lines of Jane Smith) so loads of people will have the same name as me but driving licenses need signed photos etc so it can't be an accidental mix up I wouldn't have thought!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 16/08/2019 22:23

I had the same problem, I just said it had got lost and sent it back saying so. I didn't have to ring anyone.

Give them all your addresses and postcodes since you were 17 Definitely.

RedCowboyBoots · 16/08/2019 22:26

Say you've definitely never had it and you believe your identity has been stolen, so it needs to be voided from their end.

Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:26

I can't give all my addresses and postcodes since 17 though... I honestly don't know them all 😕 I've given every one that I can find/remember but student digs/live in holiday jobs/2 years sofa surfing/period of homelessness followed by various temporary accommodation means I just have no idea at all of many places I've officially lived!

I asked what would happen if I had lost it and was told that I'd still have to be able to give the address on the license to get a replacement. You're meant to update it whenever you move so that's no excuse apparently.

OP posts:
RedCowboyBoots · 16/08/2019 22:26

Also, I believe you need to renew a provisional every ten years, so if you did it as a teenager it would have long since lapsed.

RingtheBells · 16/08/2019 22:28

It may have been a paper licence if you are 40, would you have needed one for ID in those days. I would tell them you have lost it.

Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:29

Yes the photocard lapses and has to be renewed but the license itself still stands. I'm going to try ringing and insisting it was identity theft on Monday and see what happens. But I think they have a marker on my name now tbh after so many phone calls!

OP posts:
RingtheBells · 16/08/2019 22:30

Oh, I just see the bit about the address

Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 16/08/2019 22:30

They won't tell me when it was issued so I don't know if it was pre or post photocards. I remember getting passport photos signed as a student but not driving license photos.

OP posts:
RingtheBells · 16/08/2019 22:32

Since no one is being very helpful I would definitely go down the identity theft route as someone else could have applied in your name

NeverSayFreelance · 16/08/2019 22:33

I'm almost certain I heard about this happening to someone else! Can't recall how they solved it but if I'm remembering right then this is a problem they've had before.

Belgravian · 16/08/2019 22:34

Years ago I lived in a flat making my address

882b

When I filled in the form to change my driving licence address I wrote in capitals throughout the form - 882B.

When I got my licence back I never noticed that it said 8828 instead of 882B.

I went to pick up a parcel and the sorting office wouldn’t let me have it until I could show another form of ID as my driving licence was incorrect address!

The DVLA were wankers about it and wanted to charge me to update it even though it was their error.

They eventually replaced it and I didn’t have to pay.

Hecateh · 16/08/2019 22:39

provisional licenses expire so you can't have a valid one from one so long ago.

As you have a common name it is possible that someone else with that name live at your current address before you.

Not sure how you will sort this though

SlimGin · 16/08/2019 23:04

Did you give them your passport number to apply for provisional? That's the only thing I can think that they'd be able to compare with to say that you already have one. As there are probably others with same name and DOB as you.
I agree with others log it as identity theft, or ask to be escalated to somebody at DVLA who will actually be able to help you.

Slightaggrandising · 16/08/2019 23:11

A good place to find your old addresses is PayPal if you've got an account.

ElizaPancakes · 16/08/2019 23:11

They didn’t do that 20 years ago @SlimGin. I’m pretty sure anyway. When I applied for mine around 20 years ago I didn’t even get a form with space for a photo so I got a paper licence.

Original poster
Liftwantedaroundtheworld · 17/08/2019 09:26

Can't report it lost or stolen without the address on the existing license. Computer says no. This is ridiculous!

OP posts:
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