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Original poster

Driving without licence - WWYD

321 replies

Washingyourcurtains · 28/09/2019 20:32

I've recently found out my father in law has never had a driving licence. He's in his 60s and has owned and driven cars all his adult life, just never took his test. I'm shocked about this so would be interested to know what others think and if this is more widespread. Obviously it's a big secret so I can't discuss it with people in real life.

He drives my 2 young children around, sometimes long distances and on motorways as we live the other end of the country and sometimes meet half way to hand over the children and they go to theirs by themselves (which in itself is great for all of us). But I feel really uncomfortable about them being in his car now as he doesn't have insurance (presumably). It will cause a massive issue with my partner if I stop them from being driven by him as he will think I'm overreacting. But what if he has an accident and they are seriously injured and there is no insurance? Should I just overlook it? What would you do.

OP posts:
SusieOwl4 · 28/09/2019 21:45

If he has insurance it will ask what licence you have . If he has lied on this then insurance invalid . No insurance no driving children around .

VanGoghsDog · 28/09/2019 21:45

Most insurers ask for licence number

No insurer has ever asked for evidence that I have a licence (I’ve had one for 27 years).

My renewal in July did and my dp's renewal in June he added me and needed by license number.

diddl · 28/09/2019 21:49

If he had learnt during national service he wouldn't he still have had a licence/permit of some kind?

Original poster
Washingyourcurtains · 28/09/2019 21:49

DP is out tonight so I can't get any further on this until tomorrow. I will update though, if nothing else as reassurance that he's either legal or off the road.

OP posts:
Original poster
Washingyourcurtains · 28/09/2019 21:51

He definitely didn't do national service or serve in WW2.

OP posts:
VanGoghsDog · 28/09/2019 21:52

I can only assume he doesn't trouble himself with insurance either.

Why would anyone insure him continually on a provisional license? I just don't think that's possible. It would be really expensive (far cheaper to just take the test!).

But I don't believe he got a speeding fine on a provisional license and not got pulled up for no insurance - they check you know, they want to prosecute for the higher crime if they can.
Did they pretend someone else was driving maybe?

Jellybeansincognito · 28/09/2019 21:53

He’s driving illegally- imagine what would happen to your children if he was caught driving with them in the car.

It would be a firm no from me.

TheFairyCaravan · 28/09/2019 21:55

If he had learnt during national service he wouldn't he still have had a licence/permit of some kind?

My dad is 76 and didn't do National Service so a man in his sixties definitely wouldn't have

ivykaty44 · 28/09/2019 21:56

I would report anonymously and wouldn’t have any qualms about it either.

Swatsup · 28/09/2019 21:56

No regard for the law, he world not be going any where near my kids.

ivykaty44 · 28/09/2019 21:57

The cut of for NS was 1939

NoSquirrels · 28/09/2019 21:59

why aren't there triggers at DVLA when someone renews their provisional for 40 odd years

I think that your provisional license used to be valid for some extraordinarily long time period - before there were photo licenses, I remember my paper provisional license was valid for years because I got it at 17 and didn't take a test until I was 37. They swapped to photo licences and then they would need to be renewed every 10 years, but if he has never had a photo license...

Well, it's a huge can of worms. I think there is some misunderstanding somewhere, certainly.

But you can't have your DC in a car with an uninsured driver. End of.

ivykaty44 · 28/09/2019 21:59

If you don’t have a driving licence and are driving on the highway - then even if you have paid for insurance it will not be valid

pikapikachu · 28/09/2019 21:59

Buy him a driving test for Xmas.

In the mean time don't let him drive your kids.

chubley · 28/09/2019 21:59

My dad's 87 and said he had an Irish driving licence a long time ago, so he never had to take a test. He didn't drive for quite a long time when I was a child. He got a UK licence by the late 70s/early 80s at the latest, as he got a car so it was easier for him to come to see us (parents divorced by then).

longearedbat · 28/09/2019 22:01

Just rather amazed that someone would think a person in their 60's may have served in ww2!

diddl · 28/09/2019 22:02

"My dad is 76 and didn't do National Service so a man in his sixties definitely wouldn't have"

No, I know he wouldn't have.

Perhaps I should have said that those who did would have a licence or permit to show that they could drive on the road unnacompanied & without L plates?

EngTech · 28/09/2019 22:05

It will get interesting if anything happens and the admin is not there 😳

Ali1cedowntherabbithole · 28/09/2019 22:06

So agree with others that he is too young to have escaped the need for a driving licence. DF did a minimal test during national service but would be 88 now if still alive.

Don't you have to produce your documents if you get a speeding ticket? as other PP said you would need to return your licence to the dVLA to have points added.

It's all a bit odd.

Someonesayroadtrip · 28/09/2019 22:06

I'm 35 and until this year have never been asked for my licence, but I and anyone on my policy had to provide it along with a PDF of basically what the paper used to be, I guess to prove none of us had any points.

Provisionals only last a certain amount of time, I'm fact all licenses need renewed other than the old full paper ones.

Berthatydfil · 28/09/2019 22:06

I know of someone who moved out of the uk got a licence in that country then around 15 years later moved back to the uk.
Apparently that country’s licence only qualified them for a certain number of years and after that defaulted to provisional status and they should have done a driving test to get a uk full licence.
Well they didn’t (wasn’t deliberate just an oversight) got pulled over a few years later, asked to produce documents and was found to be driving without a full licence, and also therefore wasn’t insured. They were prosecuted.
They were very lucky as they could have had the car seized for no insurance but the courts accepted their admission of the oversight. But they had a massive fine, 6 or 9 points on their provisional licence and a ban for a year before they could apply for a test. Their insurance skyrocketed after that.

PickingUpLicks · 28/09/2019 22:07

I was involved in an accident recently that was 100% the fault of the other driver. I had to email my insurance company a scanned copy of my driving license before they'd process my claim.

Lifecraft · 28/09/2019 22:08

In order to be insured you have to be driving legally, so he isn’t insured!

What a load of tripe. So much rubbish on this thread. Are you saying if you're doing 31 in a 30, you have no insurance because you're driving illegally!!

If he has insurance, it will automatically cover any third party claim, so passengers or people he hits will be fully covered. Doesn't matter what lies you tell them, or how illegal you are acting, they are obligated to pick up the claim for anyone who is injured or has their property damaged by him.

They might not pay out for the damage to his own car, but that's his problem.

pinkstripeycat · 28/09/2019 22:10

I work for the DVLA. I can assure you that when you apply for car insurance they ALWAYS ask if you have a full or provisional UK licence and if it is full how long have you held it for. IF he has ever applied for insurance he will have lied. Nothing will be valid for him. I am amazed ANPR hasn’t picked him up.

MrsMunchetty · 28/09/2019 22:11

Imagine OP if the shoe was on the other foot......so some old guy without a licence etc hit you and your kids. The lack of insurance meant that you got no compensation for potential life changing injuries and a fatality. You could be left bereaved, unable to work due to injury and without a penny of recompense? Would that be fair? Please report him.

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