A driving license is one of the biggest documents of adulting and freedom. Not only does it serve as an identification document, but people can also use a driving license to get around in their cars without restrictions or worrying about the legalities.
However, there are instances where you can lose your license, get it stolen by someone, or need to replace an old and damaged driving license. The process to that is quite simple, especially under the laws and legalities of the UK Government.
Ideally, you can process it directly via the corresponding administration responsible for replacing a driver’s license under the UK Government, or you can go ahead and contact Driving Help to sort that out for you.
What is the criteria to replace a lost or stolen Driving License?
While it is easier for you to replace a damaged driving license, things can get a little complicated when it comes to a lost or stolen license. In such cases, you might have to follow a few additional steps to sort things out for yourself.
If you have lost your license or had it stolen from you, the first thing you need to do is register a police complaint. This is mandatory to protect yourself from identity theft and in case someone falsely uses your identity to commit a crime elsewhere.
To get your driving license replaced in the UK, you have to tick off the eligibility checklist:
- You should be a resident of Great Britain
- You should not have any records to not be qualified for driving
- You have to pay a fee of 20 pounds for the replacement processing
- You have to provide a permanent residential address where you have stayed for the past 3 years
Also, you’d be asked to provide the driving license number, national insurance number, and passport number if you have them with you.
How to Process the Replacement of the Driving License?
Irrespective of the reason you are replacing the driving license; the steps are pretty much the same when you apply through the government portals or via a private company like Driving Help.
Here’s what you need to do:
You can apply via an online portal wherein you’d have to process through six steps to be able to go ahead and finally apply for the replacement of your driving license.
- Basic details
This is where you have to select where your driving license was stolen, lost, destroyed, or defaced. In case it is lost or stolen, ensure that you file a complaint at the police station.
Along with that, you’d also have to declare if you are disqualified from driving in the UK, Northern Ireland, Jersey, and the adjoining area.
- Personal details
Following that, you’d have to fill in the personal details, including your name, identification documents, work permits, etc. Make sure that you fill in all the right and accurate information to ensure the processing and verification are done properly.
- Address details
Under this, you’d need to enter your current address where you have lived for at least the past three years. You might get your driver’s license delivered to this address, so enter it carefully.
- Security details
This is another part of the verification process and includes declarations of your national insurance number, driver’s license number, and passport number if you have access to it.
- Payment
Once all the details are entered and you have confirmed the final draft of the replacement application, you need to process the payment, and you are done.
- Confirmation
Following the successful processing of the payment, the portal will then redirect you to the confirmation page that you can print out for safekeeping.
The steps are very simple and hassle-free, even if you haven’t done this before. Just ensure that all your information is accurate and true.
