[Soninlaw]

I am asking question on behalf of my Father-in-Law who has recently been approved for full mobility.

He has an old German driving licence. He is 100% British. Swansea DVLA refused to change his driving licence as they say the German one is perfectly acceptable.

The mobility people will not accept his German driving licence and insist he gets a new british one. Does anyone have any experience of this or any advice.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

Topic

[mitch]

i filled in the dvla guide for exchanging an eu license and the result is below.

it seems strange that motability wont conform and insist on a uk driving license, i would query it again with motability but if they insist get on to dvla and explain the issue and i am sure they will let you swap.

 

You can drive in Great Britain on a full, valid driving licence from another EU country.
You can drive in Great Britain until you’re 70. If you’re 68 or over when you become resident, you can drive for 3 years.

After this time you must exchange your licence.

Order form D1 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Send the form, the £43 fee and any documents you need (including your driving licence) to the address on the form.
You should get your new licence within 3 weeks.
You can only drive in Great Britain with a non-EU licence for 12 months after you arrive.

[joss]

There are other nefarious ways to over come this problem Muhahahahahaha.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence

Did you here the one about the dog that ate your driving license?

Or you somehow managed to have misplaced or lost your licence?

Think outside the box 🙂

Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.

[Soninlaw]

Thanks for the advice.

Both mobility and DVLA we’re sticking their heals in. He has tried for a UK licence twice before (work wanted one).  They give the option of applying at a cost but do not guarantee a replacement.

As for loosing it, the issuing agency would have to replace it.

He has only tried once with Mobility so he will try again with them.

[SaintsMan]

There could of course be a bit of Brexit uncertainty about his license, both parties may be cautious about supplying/accepting his license as they have no idea what’s happening.

I did think the lost/defaced route was a no go.

[joss]

My apologies for the lost stolen bit. However the stalemate can’t go on. Someone has to yield. Perhaps seeking a higher authority within both organisation might be required to resolve this.

https://www.motability.co.uk/contact-and-support/complaints/

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-licensing-agency/about/complaints-procedure

You may wish to contact you MP if you still are not getting anywhere.

You could also draft a letter to Motability customer service and DVLA setting out your dilemma. Asking them to liaise with each other in order to resolve the situation. I would recommend doing this before making a complaint.

Joss
Current car: BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport 5dr Step Auto In metallic Portimão Blue. 04:10:2025
Previous car:Peugeot 308 GT Premium 1.2 Pure tech Petrol.

[ChrisK]

Have you tried going through a local Post Office as when I renewed my license last year at the PO there were a couple Polish guys ahead of me changing their Polish licences to UK ones, I assume ahead of BX.

It will cost a few quid more but they will put you straight on anything that’s not acceptable in the way of paperwork.

Just one other thing try using a PO that is not over subscribed with customers as there are few near me that haven’t got the time of day to bother with you but there are a few still about who will bend over backwards to help you.

[JS]

Maybe it’s just a case of speaking to a different motability customer care as it may of been confused before as the rules do state UK drivers licence only. But in the same sentence it all so implies it’s just further information may be needed.

We will only accept drivers who have a legally valid driving licence. Drivers with a non-UK driving licence will be subject to additional checks.

So maybe worth a try with another handler as additional checks usually just requires extra identification or Proof of address etc  (with lots of forms you have a list of valid id, and in absence of 1 or 2 from list A you can provide  3 from list B as an example)

im sure it’s an oversight, it sometimes depends on the person on the end of the phone and which source they read and interpreted it. keep us posted to how He gets on.

Source

https://www.motability.co.uk/contact-and-support/faqs/who-can-i-put-on-the-insurance

 

[Soninlaw]

Thanks for the advice.

Both mobility and DVLA we’re sticking their heals in. He has tried for a UK licence twice before (work wanted one).  They give the option of applying at a cost but do not guarantee a replacement.

As for loosing it, the issuing agency would have to replace it.

He has only tried once with Mobility so he will try again with them.

 

[Soninlaw]

It turns out he has to get a letter from the German issuing agency confirming he has no convictions on his license and they will not move on this point.

The German office have sent out a letter today so have heard of they before.

Thanks again everyone

[Author]

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