Driving Lessons and Test Passes

02392 798999

Photo card driving licence holder

Applying at the test centre

If your photo card driving licence was issued after 1 March 2004, you’ll be given the option to have your full licence issued electronically. The examiner will take your licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to DVLA.

You’ll be given a pass certificate, as proof of passing, and DVLA will send your full licence to you within four weeks of you passing your practical test.

Applying by post

You'll need to:

• complete the declaration on your test pass certificate
• send it, together with both parts of your driving licence (photocard and counterpart), document to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ

If your name has changed since your last licence you'll also need to:

• complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, which is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Office® branches
• provide original documentation confirming your new name

Renewing the photo on your licence

You'll also need to check the expiry date of your photo on your driving licence. If your photo is due to expire very soon, it'll need to be renewed before the date of expiry. The expiry date of your photo is shown in section 4b on the front of your driving licence.

Beware of the time limit!

If you don't claim your test pass within two years of the date of your test, the driving entitlement in which you gained the test pass will be lost. You'll have to take and pass both parts of the driving test again for that category of vehicle if you wish to have it included on your driving licence.

Paper driving licence holder

You'll need to:

• complete the declaration on your test pass certificate
• complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’, available from DVLA's form ordering service or from any Post Office® branch
• provide original documentation confirming your identity
• enclose a passport type photograph and your driving licence

Send all your documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BJ or use the premium checking service at selected Post Office® branches or DVLA local offices.

When to expect your licence

DVLA aims to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It’ll take longer if they have to check on your health or personal details. Allow at least three weeks for your licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.

When your licence is issued it’ll have a number of added security features. One of the main differences is a laser engraved black and white photograph.

Driving before your licence is returned

You can drive before you receive your licence as long as you:

• have held a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence
• aren't disqualified from driving (the traffic commissioner for your area will decide whether to grant your entitlement to drive lorries and buses)
• haven't been refused a licence for medical reasons or for failing to comply with medical enquiries
• wouldn't be refused a licence for medical reasons (if in doubt, check with your doctor)
• keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence

Automatic Driving Test Pass in Portsmouth

Congratulations to Leanne on her driving lessons in Portsmouth and Passing her Practical Driving Test 1st Time and only 3 minors in an Automatic car in Portsmouth.

Leanne Daniel
Thanks Bill and co! You were a truly amazing instructor. I never thought I would be able to drive with all my health problems, but you were patient and forgiving and got me through. I was very lucky to have you as my instructor, and my examiner, Dave Kemp was a really friendly guy too and put me right at ease. I'm glad I chose 1st top gear and highly recommend it, it's a great school, and the teaching is top class! Thank you for everything Bill. I promise to keep safe and slow down!!

Driving lessons and a test Pass in Portsmouth

Congratulations to Steven on passing his Driving test with 1st TOP GEAR Driving School in Portsmouth.
Steven James Parsons at 13:01 on 13 July 09

Thank you Mark my driving instructor, for helping me pass my driving test, very much appreciated, can't say how pleased I am at the moment, after about 20 hours (I think it was) enjoyed every minute of every lesson I had with you, will be telling everyone about you and 1st Top Gear! I really am lost for words just so pleased and grateful for all of your help.

Automatic Driving School, Driving Instructor, Driving Lessons.

1st Top Gear Driving School offers Automatic Driving Lessons in all Portsmouth, Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Hayling Island and Chichester areas. ADI Driving Instructors for your driving lesson. We use a Citreon and Ford Focus for Automatic Driving lessons. Or maybe you wish to learn in a manual car we have a wide variety of cars in all areas with a qualified driving Instructor.

1st TOP GEAR Driving School Portsmouth.

Over the last two months 1st Top Gear driving school has achieved an extremely High Level of passes. Our ADI trained Driving Instructors have worked hard on your Driving Lessons whether that was for Manual Driving Lessons or Automatic driving lessons a really big Well Done to all. We have added a face book link on our website which has gained fantastic support from our learners and the feedback we are receiving. We are covering a much larger area now from all the Portsmouth to Petersfield areas, Havant to Chichester and Portchester to Gosport Fareham Lee on Solent, Titchfield and Hill Head.
02392 798999 or 0800 085 3292
Text Name to 07817 947654 for a call back.