DRIVING SCHOOLS Hemel Hempstead Herts

Category: Driving Schools. Schools of Motoring in and around Hemel Hempstead > Cars and Motoring

Q. How long is provisional motorcycle entitlement valid for?

A. The licence is valid until you are 70. (Licences issued before 1 February 2001 show a two-year motorcycle entitlement if this was asked for.) You must take a compulsory basic training (CBT) course before riding a moped or motorcycle on the road. When you successfully complete a CBT course you will get a training certificate (DL196). The certificate is valid for two years. Keep your certificate safe because you will need to show it to the examiner when you take your moped or motorcycle practical test. You may also need to show it to the police.

Q. What type of licences are there?

A. Provisional driving licences are issued to learner drivers. Full driving licences are issued to drivers who pass a driving test (theory and practical). From July 1998 we have issued photocard driving licences with a paper counterpart. Photocard driving licences have to be renewed every 10 years until the driver is 70, to make sure the photograph remains a true likeness of the driver.

Q. How do I apply for a driving licence?

A. For ordinary vehicles you need to fill in a D1 form. You can get this from Post Office® branches, DVLA local offices, or from us by phoning 0870 240 0009. You can order forms and get more information from www.direct.gov.uk/motoring

Q. How do I apply for a minibus, bus or lorry licence?

A. You need to fill in a D2 form which you can get from DVLA, DVLA local offices or any Traffic Area Office. You can also order one online at www.direct.gov.uk/motoring .

Strict medical rules apply for these applications and you may need to provide a D4 medical report. (You can get these from the DVLA, DVLA local offices and at www.direct.gov.uk/motoring

Q. What convictions do lorry and bus drivers have to report?

A.  Drivers of Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) and Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV) must tell us about any driving convictions they have. PCV drivers must tell us about all convictions, not just those relating to driving.

Q. What happens if I get penalty points or am disqualified?

A. If you are convicted of a motoring offence, the court can put penalty points on your licence, or disqualify you from driving for a period. Points will stay on your licence for four or 11 years, depending on the offence. After this period you can apply to have them removed from your licence. For drivers (including motorcyclists) from the UK, EU/EEA, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or Gibraltar, special rules apply for a period of two years from the date of passing their first driving test in these countries. The rules also apply to other foreign drivers who have to pass a test for a UK licence because this is treated as their first driving test.

If you get six or more penalty points before the end of the two-year period (including any points you got before passing the test), your licence will automatically be revoked (withdrawn). To get your licence back you must apply for a provisional licence to drive as a learner and to pass the theory and practical tests again.

Passing the tests does not remove the penalty points from your licence and if the total reaches 12, you may be disqualified from driving.

These rules also apply to drivers who have exchanged a licence issued in a designated country for a UK licence and then passed a test in this country for driving another type of vehicle (for example, a HGV). This is treated as a first driving test and the special rules apply.

Q. How do I apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

A. You should contact the AA, RACMS or Green Flag for advice, but you will need to produce a valid GB licence.

You do not need to be a member of any of the organisations.

Q. What if I hold a foreign licence?

A. If you have a full licence from a country in the European Community or European Economic Area you can drive in the UK with that licence until it ends or would need to be renewed under the laws of England and Wales. If you have a foreign licence, which we do not recognise for the purpose of exchanging licences, you can drive as a visitor for up to 12 months from the date you last entered the UK. If you live in the 6

UK you can drive for up to 12 months from the date you become a resident. To continue driving you must get a provisional GB licence and pass a driving test before the 12-month period ends.

Q. What countries’ licences do we exchange for GB licences?

A. We exchange licences from countries in the European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EAA). We also exchange licences from the following countries.

Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands (not motorcycle entitlement), Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (not motorcycle entitlement), Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe.

Q. I hold a foreign licence and intend to take a British driving test. Do I need to display ‘L’ plates?

A. Not if you take the test within the first 12 months of becoming a resident. If 12 months have passed, you need to apply for a provisional licence and the rules for learner drivers will apply.

Q. What categories of vehicle are shown on licences?

A. The categories are as follows.

A1 Light motorcycles with an engine size of up to 125cc and a power of no more than 11kw (14.6 horsepower)

A Motorcycles (with or without a sidecar) up to 25kw or 33 horsepower and a power-to-weight ratio of up to 0.16kw/kg

B1 Motor tricycles and quadricycles weighing up to 550kg when unladen (not loaded)

B Motor cars or light vans with up to eight passenger seats and weighing up to 3500kg (allowed to tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg)

C1 Vehicles weighing between 3500kg and 7500kg (allowed to tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg)

C Vehicles weighing over 3500kg and with a trailer of up to 750kg

D1 Small passenger-carrying vehicles with nine to 16 passenger seats and a trailer weighing up to 750kg

D Any bus with more than eight passenger seats and a trailer weighing up to 750kg

B+E Motor cars or light vans with up to eight passenger seats, with a trailer of more than 750kg

C1+E Vehicles over 3500kg and a trailer of more than 750kg

C+E Vehicles over 3500kg and a trailer of more than 750kg

D1+E Small passenger-carrying vehicles with nine to 16 passenger seats with a trailer of more than 750kg

D+E Any bus with more than eight passenger seats and a trailer of more than 750kg

f Agricultural tractors

g Roadrollers

h Tracked vehicles

k Pedestrian-controlled vehicles (those powered by a person)

p Mopeds

You can get more information on driving licences from the DVLA D100 booklet. You can get this from DVLA, Post Office® branches, and from www.direct.gov.uk/motoring

Driver Customer Services Correspondence Team DVLA Swansea SA6 7JL

Customer Enquiries (Drivers)0870 240 0009

Customer Enquiries (Vehicles)0870 240 0010

The lines are open between 8am and 8.30pm Monday to Friday, and between 8am and 5.30pm on Saturdays.

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