Home › Rules › Motoring › Licences › ID for Driving Licence Application
Identification for Driving Licence Application

This guide explains which identity documents you need for a driving licence application. In some cases you need to provide specific proof of your identity to get a driving licence.

ID FOR DRIVING LICENCE: UK biometric passports get accepted for driving licence identification.

This is because the photograph and signature in biometric passports are on the same page.

You can prove your identity using the 9-digit number in a biometric passport.

There is no need to send in this type of passport as proof with your driving licence application.

What if you do not have a UK biometric passport?

In this case you can use other identity documents for a driving licence application. The information below lists which identity documents you need to send in with a licence application.

Note: A different set of rules apply when using ID for driving licence application in Northern Ireland.

Types of Identification for Licence Application


Send in these identity documents if you do not already have a biometric passport. You must use the original documents for a driving licence application.

  • Your current and valid passport.
  • A biometric residence permit (BRP). Officials used to call it the identity card for foreign nationals.
  • A UK certificate of naturalisation.
  • A European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) national identity card.
  • A valid travel document.

Note: Send in a visa that proves you have permission to live in the United Kingdom if you do not have an EU or EEA passport.

You cannot use any of these as identification for driving licence application:

  • Document photocopies or any laminated certificates
  • Certified copies (including those certified by the Post Office document certification service)

Note: It is best not to send in your passport if you will need it to travel within the next month. Instead, consider delaying your driving licence application until you return to the UK.

Identity Documents for a Pensioner

Once you reach State Pension age you can send in an original of any of these documents that are in your name:

  • Bank or building society statement showing your pension payment and National Insurance number. It must be a recent statement within the last three (3) months.
  • Either a BR2102, BR2103 or BR5899 letter confirming your State Pension eligibility.

Using UK Birth and Adoption Certificates for Identification


UK birth and adoption certificate are valid for identification purposes. But you must send it in along with one of the following:

  • National Insurance card or a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions. It must show your NI number.
  • A photocopy of the front page of a benefits book or an original benefits claim letter.
  • P45, P60 or pay slip.
  • A marriage certificate or divorce papers (decree nisi or absolute).
  • A Gender Recognition Certificate.
  • A college or university union card, education certificate or PASS proof of age card. It must have got issued after June 2014.

If Your Name or Gender Changes


Your name or gender may have changed since your identity document got issued. In this case you will need to provide extra evidence of identification for a driving licence application. Send one of the following to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

  • Your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
  • Your decree nisi or decree absolute (including your birth or adoption certificate, or UK certificate of naturalisation).
  • A deed poll.

Note: Send in your Gender Recognition Certificate if you already applied to change your gender.

Who Can Sign Identity Confirmation Form and Photograph?


The person who signs the identity confirmation form and photo must hold a valid GB photocard driving licence and be:

  • Resident in the United Kingdom.
  • Someone who knows you personally.
  • A person other than a relative.
  • Living at a different address than yours.

Suitable and appropriate people include:

  • Bank or building society staff
  • Civil servant
  • Librarian
  • Local business person or shopkeeper
  • Local councillor
  • Magistrate
  • Members of Parliament, Assembly Member, Member of the Scottish Parliament or Member of the European Parliament
  • Minister of religion
  • Police officer
  • Professionally qualified people (e.g. teacher, lawyer, engineer)

Note: Write their former job on the form if they have since retired (e.g. ‘retired teacher’). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will contact the person who signs your licence application.

Photo signature confirmation is not required if you agree for DVLA to check your identity by:

  • Contacting HM Passport Office.
  • Providing an up to date passport, travel document or BRP.
  • Providing your EU or EEA national identity card (except for ID cards issued by the Swedish Post Office).

Note: Your identity photograph does not need signing if you renew your licence using a new photo.

How Identity Documents Get Returned


DVLA return your driving licence and your identity documents as separate packages. You can get your identity documents returned by special delivery from DVLA. In this case you should include a stamped self-addressed special delivery envelope.

Note: You should contact DVLA if you do not receive your licence or get your identity documents returned after the application.

ID for Driving Licence Application in the United Kingdom