Premium checking service
If you are applying for a photocard driving licence and you don’t want to send your identification through the post to Driver and Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA) you may be able to use the premium checking services available at selected Post Office branches and DVLA Local Offices.
Post Office branches
You can apply for your licence, in person, at a Post Office with your application, identification, photograph and any required fee. Staff at the Post Office will check your application and ID while you wait, return you ID to you and then have the application sent to DVLA. Should the need arise, DVLA can also ask to see your original identity documents.
The identity required and accepted by Post Office branches are:
• current UK passport
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)State Retirement Pension order book
• proof of receipt of State Retirement Pension (a bank or building society statement received within the last three months)
• proof of eligibility to State Retirement Pension letter (BR2102, BR2103 or BR5899)
Identity documents must be in your current name. You cannot use this service if you are changing your name.
There is a premium service fee of £4 that is additional to the licence fee.
DVLA Local Offices
All DVLA Local Offices provide the same premium checking service, at the same cost, as selected Post Office branches and they are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. The local offices don’t accept credit cards for payment and the DVLA reserve the right to recall original identity documents.
If you are the holder of a full European Community/ European Economic Area (EC/EEA), Gibraltar or Designated Country driving licence and are exchanging it for the British equivalent you may be able to use a similar checking service at selected DVLA Local Offices. The offices providing this service are Wimbledon, Nottingham, Glasgow and the reception at DVLA in Swansea.
You should be able to use this service provided that you hold a current passport from one of the countries in the name to be shown on the licence and you are:
• entitled to apply for a full GB licence in exchange for an existing full licence from an EC/EEA, Gibraltar or designated country
• applying to change from a full paper licence to a first photocard licence
Staff will check your application to ensure it is in order and has been completed correctly. Once checked, your application and licence will be sent to DVLA for processing. Normally your passport will be handed back.
Page last updated: 10/06/2008