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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is a provisional Driver's Licence proof of ID?

45 replies

ciderhouserules · 17/12/2018 15:22

My son has slight vision problems, enough that he will probably never be able to drive. He wants some form of ID, to take to Uni for pubs/clubs/personal ID.

I've applied for a Civilian Card (or Citizen Card, I can't remember which) which stated that it was adult ID and government issued. He finds that lots of places won't accept this, and in fact have no idea what the Card is. In the absence of any formal, government-issued ID (why, in God's name, aren't we issued ID cards? Angry) he needs to always carry his passport about.

I was thinking of him applying for a Driver's Licence, knowing full well that his vision precludes him actually driving, but using it solely as ID? I'm just not sure if a Provisional is any good as ID.

(He'd never drive or even attempt to, even with a Provisional)

OP posts:
Whobloodyknows · 17/12/2018 15:23

I used my provisional for years as ID and had no problem

QuestionableMouse · 17/12/2018 15:25

A passport will probably be more useful in the long run.

CandyAppleRed · 17/12/2018 15:25

Yes it's the same as a non provisional as far as id purposes.

19lottie82 · 17/12/2018 15:26

Some people will claim places won’t accept a provisional license, but I’ve never heard of it. I worked in pubs for 12 years ago up until just over a year ago and we always accepted a provisional.

kaytee87 · 17/12/2018 15:27

Yes it can be used as ID

Biancadelriosback · 17/12/2018 15:27

Yup! Official forms of ID accepted in pubs etc are ID with a holographic PASS logo, green or pink driving licences, passports and/or military ID (sometimes not accepted!)
ID should also be in date as expired licences can be rejected as well.

Darkautumn · 17/12/2018 15:28

Yes he can use it as ID.

However, he may qualify for a concessionary bus pass if he's physically unable to drive. In which case he would have to surrender it back to the DVLA

easyandy101 · 17/12/2018 15:31

I accept them as ID

Original poster
ciderhouserules · 17/12/2018 15:31

That's interesting DarkAutumn, I haven't heard that? His vision is def 'bad' enough that he can't and prob never will be able to drive, tho he can see well enough to read, navigate, live a completely normal life.

Other thing is - to gain a provisional, he has to declare that he has no problems with his vision.....

So he'd have to lie.

OP posts:
Suziepoozie · 17/12/2018 15:34

Yes, I’m still a learner at the grand age of 27 and I use mine for ID everywhere, never had a problem.

The only thing is would he be issued with a provisional with the sight issues? I know you wouldn’t let him drive but it might not be enough to say that.

Original poster
ciderhouserules · 17/12/2018 15:35

Official forms of ID accepted in pubs etc are ID with a holographic PASS logo, - both the Civilian Card and the Citizen Card have the PASS logo. He's had trouble in our local pub getting his card accepted as ID. No-one seems to have heard of it!

OP posts:
Suziepoozie · 17/12/2018 15:35

If he has to lie, that’s fraud. I cross posted with you before. Basically he doesn’t qualify for one. I think passport is your only option.

AmazingGrace16 · 17/12/2018 15:35

I tried doing this but didn't want to lie because there is no way I'm allowed to drive due to a disability.
I've had to just use my passport instead

Dariosa · 17/12/2018 15:37

I know a young twenty-something with epilepsy, who applied for a provisional as soon as she turned 17, then declared her epilepsy to the DVLA once she got it.

They asked her to return the provisional - she claimed to have lost it, and still uses it for ID.

Houseonahill · 17/12/2018 15:38

When I worked in a pub (marstons) we weren't allowed to accept the citizen card thing it had to be a driving lisence/provisional lisence or a passport.

Has he actually been told he can't drive? Because I can't see the problem getting one if he hasn't specifically been told he can't drive and never intends to use it.

Houseonahill · 17/12/2018 15:38

When I worked in a pub (marstons) we weren't allowed to accept the citizen card thing it had to be a driving lisence/provisional lisence or a passport.

Has he actually been told he can't drive? Because I can't see the problem getting one if he hasn't specifically been told he can't drive and never intends to use it.

Houseonahill · 17/12/2018 15:39

When I worked in a pub (marstons) we weren't allowed to accept the citizen card thing it had to be a driving lisence/provisional lisence or a passport.

Has he actually been told he can't drive? Because I can't see the problem getting one if he hasn't specifically been told he can't drive and never intends to use it.

Houseonahill · 17/12/2018 15:45

Sorry stupid phone didn't mean to post twice.

Houseonahill · 17/12/2018 15:45

Sorry stupid phone didn't mean to post twice.

frogsbreath · 17/12/2018 15:48

I tried the citizen card many years ago and after the same response of places not accepting it I now use a provisional driving licence as ID.

I don't want to carry my passport about when it's easier to have just an extra card in my purse.

Original poster
ciderhouserules · 17/12/2018 15:48

Why didn't you accept the Card, HouseonaHill? It is supposed to be accepted everywhere, by government.

He has not actually been told he can't drive, but the vision calculator thingy Hmm from Moorfields states that his vision is 25/35 (or whatever) and is without the guidelines. Can't remember the exact figures, but he doesn;t come within the parameters.

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 17/12/2018 15:49

I think it would be the best idea, most places will only accept passports or drivers licenses and he can keep it in his wallet. I used a provisional as ID for a few years as I only learned to drive in my mid 20s.

HSMMaCM · 17/12/2018 15:50

If a citizen card is refused, you're supposed to let them know, as it is a valid ID. My MIL used one on a flight from Scotland, as she doesn't have a passport or driving licence. If airports can accept it, nightclubs etc certainly should. My DD took a citizen card to uni, but ended up using her driving licence as she got fed up with door staff not recognising it.

anniehm · 17/12/2018 15:52

My dd can't drive and has the same problem. The pass logo means nothing, pubs won't take it here, too easy to fake. If he can't drive he will qualify for a free bus pass, download form from your council website and needs to corroborated by his dr. Renews every five years.

Original poster
ciderhouserules · 17/12/2018 15:53

But is that ID, Annie?

OP posts: