Isomatic UK Weblog

For those outside the UK, I should explain that most people here have a paper driving licence with no photograph. Modern driving licences are in the form of a card with photograph plus a separate piece of paper. My wife and I decided to change to the new format to provide ID without carrying our passports with us, e.g. when travelling to Guernsey. This will also serve us well in South Africa next year.

Changing to the new format is not proving easy. Firstly, young people such as the girl at the post office counter, do not see photo-ID driving licences as 'new' because that is all they have ever had. The 'current majority' driving licence is 'old' to them. When I ask about changing to a new style licence I am greeted with a baffled stare.

Secondly, the form we are required to complete is complicated, confusing and requires information from other sources. Lastly, there is the photograph requirement. The two places we would normally go for photographic prints cannot produce the required small print from a 35 mm negative. We are trying a new (to us) organisation that say they can do it.