Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

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? ) 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:

italiancortado · 17/12/2018 15:54

Will he get a provisional if he is medically exempt from driving?

CantChoose · 17/12/2018 15:57

I have my provisional refused as ID once at a foreign exchange thing but that was the only time. I was very cross as you don't send off any additional id documentation when they change it to a full so it shouldn't be any different. Whether he can get one with his visual problems i don't know though.

ViragoKnows · 17/12/2018 16:06

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

That’s the snag. The standard is being able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away (with corrected vision). Can he?

Is a provisional Driver's Licence proof of ID?

catmumof1 · 17/12/2018 16:07

IME lots of places won't accept the Citizen cards, my DSis can't drive for medical reasons so she has to use her passport. It's verging on discrimination imo, a passport is a lot more expensive to replace and doesn't fit in your wallet so not a very good alternative to a driving license in terms of an everyday ID card.
It's worth applying for a provisional if you can and as PP said if you then choose to apply for a bus pass/disabled rail card (definitely recommend these) just don't send the physical license back.

ViragoKnows · 17/12/2018 16:08

a passport is a lot more expensive to replace and doesn't fit in your wallet so not a very good alternative to a driving license in terms of an everyday ID card.

Hopefully, we’ll take a cue from the Irish and start issuing passports with detachable cards.

Butchyrestingface · 17/12/2018 16:11

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

When I applied for a provisional, I obviously had to disclose the severe head injuries I sustained as an infant. DVLA (or whoever it was) then wrote to my doctor for a medical report.

I wouldn't recommend lying about his condition.

italiancortado · 17/12/2018 16:12

It's worth applying for a provisional if you can and as PP said if you then choose to apply for a bus pass/disabled rail card (definitely recommend these) just don't send the physical license back.

Not sure how that would work. You can't apply for a bus pass and cite that you are medically unable drive if the DVLA have issued a provisional license.

DGRossetti · 17/12/2018 16:31

You can't apply for a bus pass and cite that you are medically unable drive if the DVLA have issued a provisional license.

Unless something happened between the licence being issued and the application for a bus pass ?

italiancortado · 17/12/2018 16:38

Unless something happened between the licence being issued and the application for a bus pass ?

Yes of course. But it hasn't has it? The OP already knows the medical information?

cardifcannonball · 17/12/2018 16:43

Is this what the pubs are refusing to accept, as it seems to be the most logical solution. Personally I'd. E uncomfortable applying for a provisional license if you need to lie to get it.
www.pass-scheme.org.uk/

Hidillyho · 17/12/2018 16:50

I used to work in a pub a long time ago and we would only accept driving license (and provisional) and passport. The other forms of ID are valid, however, they are also easy to fake so the pubs/clubs decide that they won’t take it as a form of ID. The fine is a personal fine and not a fine on the business which is why people just won’t take the risk IMO.

Hubblebubbletripletrouble · 17/12/2018 16:52

I would do as Dariosa suggests!

italiancortado · 17/12/2018 16:54

dariosa has suggested lying to get a provisional

CurlsandCurves · 17/12/2018 16:54

A provisional licence is accepted as valid ID for a DBS check so should be fine for personal ID getting into pubs clubs etc

Member984815 · 17/12/2018 17:58

A Tesco once refused my provisional license, but I think it was just a jobsworth situation .

AnotherPidgey · 17/12/2018 18:03

I got a provisional several years before I intended on learning to drive purely as a more convenient alternative to lugging my passport here, there and everywhere. I had no moral issues over ability to drive though.

MeredithGrey1 · 17/12/2018 18:25

My sister also cannot drive for vision reasons and was told by the DVLA that they would not give her a provisional licence as she was not legally allowed to drive at all and a provisional licence would allow her to drive with a licensed person in the car (she wasn’t going to, she wanted it for ID, but they wouldn’t give it to her.). She uses her passport for ID but doesn’t really like having to.

Biancadelriosback · 17/12/2018 19:47

Unfortunately many staff, although they are told that PASS logo IDs are acceptable, they rarely see them and so don't trust them. If it was a fake then that particular staff member would be at risk for a huge fine and job loss, not to mention the venue can lose their licence and also face a fine.
Technically it is allowed and if you insisted on using it, speaking to a manager etc, I'm sure you would be able to.

aibutohavethisusername · 17/12/2018 20:06

I work in a Bureau De Change and we stopped accepting provisionals a few months ago due to forgeries.

DappledThings · 17/12/2018 20:22

I have been turned away from the post office to collect a parcel because I "only" had a provisional licence. I was livid.

I wrote to the head office asking how this could possibly be reasonable given tjat it is acceptable ID to board a domestic flight (which I had done more than once).

They agreed the branch were wrong and I kept their email for ages to show the branch but I passed my test before I received another parcel!

Flip

1 2