Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is a Provisional Driving License ID

28 replies

ChuckyMonkey · 21/07/2020 21:05

Can a Provisional Driving License be used as a form of id in the same way a full driving license can?

Just not sure if it is the same or if there are any restrictions on it

OP posts:
iVampire · 21/07/2020 21:07

Yes

It’s the main form of ID used by older terms and there never seems to be any difficulty in having it accepted

Destroyedpeople · 21/07/2020 21:09

Not as such no but it's 'proof of address'.

Cattiwampus · 21/07/2020 21:12

Yes, both of mine have one for being challenged on age in shops and pubs.
I’m not sure how far it would be accepted in other circumstances

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
BogRollBOGOF · 21/07/2020 21:12

It is a legal document the same as a full driving license.

goatley · 21/07/2020 21:12

DS used his to prove his age at 18

lifesalongsong · 21/07/2020 21:14

In what context? Usually if you need ID for something official there is a detailed list of what is acceptable.

If it's for getting into a pub or similar I guess it's up to them what they accept

Spied · 21/07/2020 21:27

Yes, certainly in the same situations a full driving license would be acceptable.

JorisBonson · 21/07/2020 21:38

Yes. I have never driven and don't want to take my passport out. Been accepted in every pub / shop I've shown it in.

(I'm 35 with the face of a 10 year old boy).

Fiddlersgreen · 21/07/2020 21:46

In terms of using it for buying alcohol/cigarettes it will be fine but I used to work in a retail shop where we offered finance plans and we weren’t allowed to accept a provisional license as ID, only full license.

BackforGood · 21/07/2020 21:49

Yes, in terms of proving age.
What most teens use.
Fits in pocket / wallet / phone case better than a passport.

VeniVidiWeeWee · 21/07/2020 22:51

No, it's not. From the. Gov.uk website:

Documents we will not accept include, but are not limited to
Provisional driving licence
Mobile phone bills
Credit card statements

Destroyedpeople · 21/07/2020 22:58

You are right it's not...but there is not much point arguing with people who are convinced it is.
Can be used as proof of address for banks.

PercyKirke · 21/07/2020 23:04

There is no legal requirement to accept a provisional license and many firms/organisations won't do so.

Runkle · 21/07/2020 23:13

Yup

BackforGood · 21/07/2020 23:52

@Destroyedpeople - the OP hasn't said what for. She asked if it can be used as a form of ID. There are hundreds of thousands of people out there using a provisional DL as ID, so people who are saying it can, are clearly right.
If the OP has a particular purpose in mind, then presumably she can look on the website or in the documents of whatever it is she is looking for, for that purpose. Without knowing the purpose, none of us can say. For many purposes, it can.

EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire · 22/07/2020 00:01

Depends what for. I always used it for ID when buying alcohol when I was younger and it was always accepted.

HatttMancock · 22/07/2020 00:02

Yes it is.

I have used it for a DBS check.

2pinkginsplease · 22/07/2020 00:12

Yes it’s is, I’ve used it for opening a bank account And getting a PVG check.

I work in a bar and the only proof of I’d we accept is drivers license including provisional and also a passport.

DappledThings · 22/07/2020 07:46

I have used it for boarding a flight and for pub ID. I have had it refused for collecting a parcel from the post office. I emailed the head office to point out ludicrous it was that I could use it in the somewhat higher security setting of an airport but not a local sorting office and they agreed. I passed my rest before I next needed to collect a parcel so sadly never got to use my email from them to argue with the local office.

lifesalongsong · 22/07/2020 10:16

Come back @ChuckyMonkey and tell us what you need it for, this thread has demonstrated that asking the question without the context is a bit of a waste of everyone's time.

Original poster
ChuckyMonkey · 22/07/2020 13:51

Oops sorry. Wrote the post in a hurry and left out important details.

It is for my DDad who has no photo id and is struggling when asked for it e.g. at the bank last week

Figured a Provisional was cheaper than getting a passport, but maybe a passport is the way to go as the provisional license isn't always accepted as "official id"

OP posts:
cuntryclub · 22/07/2020 13:58

Well it all depends on who you are trying to prove ID to and what they accept? There is no standard that must be accepted. Businesses can choose what to accept. It's a legal form of ID, but nobody is obliged to accept it.

vanillandhoney · 22/07/2020 14:42

When I was younger, I was turned away from a pub as I only had a provisional license. I was nineteen and fully legal to drink but the staff wouldn't accept it as legitimate!

BackforGood · 22/07/2020 22:07

My dd is 18 and has been using hers all year, for alcohol purposes.
Don't remember when she opened a bank account, I'm afraid (she does have a passport anyway, so may well have used that).

FelicityBeedle · 22/07/2020 22:11

I’ve opened bank accounts with just a provisional