UK Driving licence problems

[martincymru]

A very complex issue that has no real answer and is the subject of many expat forums worldwide. Some have said " it's a debacle and unfair...."

The situation:
I have a UK driving licence which expires in Nov 2013 (photocard) and Dec 2026 (paper).
Since driving licences are granted only to drivers who are resident in UK and I am resident in Sg then I cannot renew photocard.
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Solution?:
put uk address on the form. use a friend or whatever. That is the usual advice.

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Problem is that you have made a false declaration about where you are living. Leaving aside any prosecution issues let's assume you wish to be treated as non-resident and non-domiciled as far as UK income tax are concerned.

If that is the case, declaring to a branch of the government that you still live in GB may not be such a good idea.

I return to the UK April 2013 (2 week holiday), hire a car. no problem, all legal. Problem is next year when I go back for 2 week holiday no driving licence (photocard expired).


What to do ?

Is online application in UK easier/better/safer in context of above than Post Office procedure or by post? Are all questions, Forms the same?

Can you get ID Gov.uk if resident overseas (I have none at present)? Seems this is similar to the Singpass here ( maybe Sg copied the UK? )

[JR8]

I return to the UK April 2013 (2 week holiday), hire a car. no problem, all legal. Problem is next year when I go back for 2 week holiday no driving licence (photocard expired).

Are you saying that you can't hire a car on a paper license?

p.s. I ask as I've only ever had a paper license!

[Mi Amigo]

Why not just get a Singapore driving license? That's what I did, and I've used in the UK, USA, Australia, etc. for renting cars many times. I still have my old paper UK license (never had a plastic one from there), and the first couple of times I went back to the UK I took it along with me just in case it was needed. But there was never a problem in just using the Singapore license.

[vishalgupta2]

Why not just get a Singapore driving license? That's what I did, and I've used in the UK, USA, Australia, etc. for renting cars many times. I still have my old paper UK license (never had a plastic one from there), and the first couple of times I went back to the UK I took it along with me just in case it was needed. But there was never a problem in just using the Singapore license.

+1

You can use a Driver's license from almost any country in all English speaking countries as long as it in English. For other countries, it's better to have a International Driving Permit along with the license.

[offshoreoildude]

Why not just get a Singapore driving license? That's what I did, and I've used in the UK, USA, Australia, etc. for renting cars many times. I still have my old paper UK license (never had a plastic one from there), and the first couple of times I went back to the UK I took it along with me just in case it was needed. But there was never a problem in just using the Singapore license.

+1 My US wife and myself (Oz) have both given up trying to renew our home country licences.

[Mi Amigo]

... and just to complete the picture, if/when you return to the UK (or wherever your home country is), you should be able to use the Singapore driving license to get a new UK one (or whatever).

[offshoreoildude]

... and just to complete the picture, if/when you return to the UK (or wherever your home country is), you should be able to use the Singapore driving license to get a new UK one (or whatever).

Yes - unless like me you didn't convert all your driving quals over - I never converted my heavy vehicle licenses over. However in the US and Oz you can renew an expired license up to a certain no of years.

[sundaymorningstaple]

OSOD, yeah, I have the same problem. I converted my Louisiana Driving License (Drive anything with wheels! inclusive of Chauffer's licenses for Car & Bus for hire as well as Prime Movers a year after arriving here (converted in '83, but back then, no theory tests were required, just go in and direct conversion with a few codicils. I wasn't allowed to convert my Tractor license (Prime Mover) as I was told I would need to have a Work Permit to even drive one (I converted while on an SVP - also possible back then as well) so they didn't give me one but allowed me my Class 3 & class 4 license. I didn't ask for a motorcycle endorsement as I didn't figure I'd ever be buying a bike her (hindsight always better, right!) Unfortunately, my Louisiana Drivers license expired donkeys years ago (way, way past the expired license renewal limits by a couple of decades!).

[offshoreoildude]

OSOD, yeah, I have the same problem. I converted my Louisiana Driving License (Drive anything with wheels! inclusive of Chauffer's licenses for Car & Bus for hire as well as Prime Movers a year after arriving here (converted in '83, but back then, no theory tests were required, just go in and direct conversion with a few codicils. I wasn't allowed to convert my Tractor license (Prime Mover) as I was told I would need to have a Work Permit to even drive one (I converted while on an SVP - also possible back then as well) so they didn't give me one but allowed me my Class 3 & class 4 license. I didn't ask for a motorcycle endorsement as I didn't figure I'd ever be buying a bike her (hindsight always better, right!) Unfortunately, my Louisiana Drivers license expired donkeys years ago (way, way past the expired license renewal limits by a couple of decades!).

You know that new US "True ID" program or similar is really screwing up getting a US D/L now don't you? My wife basically gave up trying to convert her TX license to a NC one because of it - she would have needed insurance on a car (we didn't have one), her original SS card (left it behind in Singapore and most people don't have it anyways), proof of residence (she has a house but the title is in her married name which differed to her TX D/L name).... it just went on and on. I predict there will be a LOT of unlicensed drivers in the US now!

I think she is hoping to convert her Singapore license back to a NC one if we move back there and have the time to deal with this shit.

[JR8]

Mi Amigo
re: getting a SG drivers license. But that would seem to be trying to fix something that isn’t broken. And I imagine it is not going to be cheap, and they probably want £££ biometric photos as well. I’ve yet to encounter a problem owning and/or hiring a car (which I’ve done in the UK/US/Malaysia/West Indies).

OSOD
A UK license if for ‘life’*. Or put it another way it is valid until you are c.70 (IIRC), whereupon you need a doctors medical to renew it for each further five years.

SMS
Tractor license... probably a John Deere for a high-class farm-boy!
(You could always spot a successful farmer in the UK as all their motorised vehicles were JD)


* certainly feels that way if you pass your test as a teenager.

[vishalgupta2]

... and just to complete the picture, if/when you return to the UK (or wherever your home country is), you should be able to use the Singapore driving license to get a new UK one (or whatever).

Yes - unless like me you didn't convert all your driving quals over - I never converted my heavy vehicle licenses over. However in the US and Oz you can renew an expired license up to a certain no of years.

Most states allow you to renew expired license upto 1 year.

US doesn't exchange a Singapore DL for a US DL.

[JR8]

US doesn't exchange a Singapore DL for a US DL.

Let's be honest. 95% of the US don't know where abroad is. End of. A British driving license (or similar) might as well be from Mars.

Well, at least that was my experience in NJ commuter-belt.

[vishalgupta2]

You know that new US "True ID" program or similar is really screwing up getting a US D/L now don't you? My wife basically gave up trying to convert her TX license to a NC one because of it - she would have needed insurance on a car (we didn't have one), her original SS card (left it behind in Singapore and most people don't have it anyways), proof of residence (she has a house but the title is in her married name which differed to her TX D/L name).... it just went on and on. I predict there will be a LOT of unlicensed drivers in the US now!

I think she is hoping to convert her Singapore license back to a NC one if we move back there and have the time to deal with this shit.

She can get a new SS card from SSA (you are allowed 10 in total). I don't think there are many unlicensed drivers in the US. If someone unlicensed or with expired license gets into an accident in the US, he/she may be paying all his life for it. To add up, you can't rent a car which means that everytime you step out of town, you are dependent on cabs, which are anything but inexpensive.

I had a minor fender bender when someone rear-ended me in MA in 2011. That guy had a NON MA license and was living in MA for a few months. He got arrested and his car had to be towed (at his cost)

[offshoreoildude]

You know that new US "True ID" program or similar is really screwing up getting a US D/L now don't you? My wife basically gave up trying to convert her TX license to a NC one because of it - she would have needed insurance on a car (we didn't have one), her original SS card (left it behind in Singapore and most people don't have it anyways), proof of residence (she has a house but the title is in her married name which differed to her TX D/L name).... it just went on and on. I predict there will be a LOT of unlicensed drivers in the US now!

I think she is hoping to convert her Singapore license back to a NC one if we move back there and have the time to deal with this shit.

She can get a new SS card from SSA (you are allowed 10 in total). I don't think there are many unlicensed drivers in the US. If someone unlicensed or with expired license gets into an accident in the US, he/she may be paying all his life for it. To add up, you can't rent a car which means that everytime you step out of town, you are dependent on cabs, which are anything but inexpensive.

I had a minor fender bender when someone rear-ended me in MA in 2011. That guy had a NON MA license and was living in MA for a few months. He got arrested and his car had to be towed (at his cost)

VG - you state there aren't many unlicensed drivers in the US and then you give an example of one! Anyways my point should really be "and the numbers of unlicensed drivers will no doubt climb as a result of the True ID program".

Thanks for the tips about renewing US licenses - I'm actually quite annoyed with my wife about the whole thing. She should have been a bit more organized. I renewed my Aust D/L for over 20 years but have let it lapse this year - I'll probably renew it when I'm next back there.

[offshoreoildude]

I've found driving in Australia to be a little problematic actually. Usually because of the freedom infringing booze bus stops that are actually cover for cops to bust people for other things.

Please show me your licence
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Lady Cop

(OSOD passed Singapore DL)

This is from Singapore!
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LC

Yes - I live there.
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OSOD

Are you sure? You have an Aussie accent!
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LC

Yes, I'm Australian but as I am no longer resident in WA I cannot hold an Australian DL
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OSOD

I want to see your Australian DL NOW!
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LC

Ma'am, I don't have one. I am not resident in WA, I am a visitor.
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OSOD

(interrupts) - you rich oilfield bastards are all the same. You think you can get away with this shit. (storms off to get her superiror).
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LC

What's the problem sir
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Superior

I am not resident in WA. I cannot legally hold a WA licence. Your officer (cunstable blonde) believes I am lying.
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OSOD

When are you leaving the state sir?
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Superior

Tomorrow.
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OSOD

(shoots evil look at cunstable blondey) Move along sir and have a safe flight.
\
Superior.


The problem in Australia is actually caused by Kiwis who come over and NEVER convert their DL and rack up speeding fines and DUI's which they never settle.