I am a Canadian studying in the UK and am looking to purchase a car in late August when I return for university. I had already attended for one year and entered the country September 2nd, 2015. According to the DVLA information, my Canadian licence will only be valid for 12 months from my date of arrival (September 2nd, 2016). Unfortunately, I've made a commitment to have a car ready and be prepared to drive from August 30 to September 1st. I believe this is a problem because in order to exchange my Canadian licence for a UK licence I am required to send in my original passport and BRP (in addition to my Canadian licence, but there is no issue with providing this). I'm not sure that my application would be provided in time for my August 24th flight from Toronto to Edinburgh, nor do I believe that they would even be returned to my Canadian address since there is no mailing address option on the form. Essentially, my questions are as follows: 1. What happens if I were to potentially drive in the UK on my Canadian licence for a few days past my 12 month expiry date? 2. Is it possible to purchase a car, insure it, etc. with a licence that would only be accepted for just over a week? 3. If I were to apply right now while still in Canada, could my important travel documents be returned to my Canadian address? 4. Are there any exceptions where the DVLA would permit non-original (ie. photocopied) documents to be submitted with an application? I realise that I completely messed up by not applying to exchange my licence while I was in school last semester, however exceptional circumstance prompted that poor decision making. Any information for any of my questions would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, after some advice please!! My 19yr old son has paid Drive Dynamics £740 for a weeks intensive driving course. When we rang and booked it we explained he was going onto Basic training with the RAF in a matter of a couple of weeks and we needed to get it booked in before that, we were told this was not a problem, He paid in full and was told his instructor would be in touch within 5 working days, on the 6th day I rang up, was told they had left a voice mail with the instructor and he would contact us ASAP, I rang a further 2 times to be told the same, on the last call I said I would like a refund as there would not be time to do the course, the chap on the phone said give me 24hrs and Ill have it sorted. after 24hrs we rang again and said enough was enough we wanted a refund, which he was told that was fine and it would be sorted, that day he got the 1st call from the instructors saying he had been away for a month and they shouldn't have been taking bookings for him in that time, said he could offer a weeks lesson in 2 weeks time but had no idea when he could take his test. My son has 10 wks basic training, followed by a min of 10mths trade training, he can't arrange lessons now., we then rang back 2 weeks later as he had been told it would take this long to 'go through'. I have spent hours so far on the phone to this company to be passed around or just not answered, eventually I got through and was told he was not getting a refund and no-one had said he could have one. after another 2 days of numerous calls someone eventually said we would not get one without emailing the company to get a ticket number, which we did we have explained the whole situation to them, but have had a reply saying as they found us an instructor within 2 weeks, and my son did not cancel within the 2 week cool off period we will not get any money back. They have suggested we just take the lesson with them, He cant and he also doesn't want to as they never arrange anything so he doesn't trust he will even get a lesson!! my arguments is that I don't think they 'found' us an instructor as they never made any contact with the instructor within the 2 weeks they have to find one or full refund will be given, also how could we use our 2 week cool off as we didn't know they had messed up for 26 days when we finally got an answer! I have been told to send a registered letter to them stating they have breach their contract, I have emailed them 3 times since the last email to ask for the address to send it to as they claim my dispute is with the instructor and not them, but get no response, I am slowly going insane! feel so guilty as I hassled my son to do this and he spent his hard earned money to be ripped off by they company So any help on how I put a letter together that might shift their butts?!! many thanks Hana

I work as a van driver, doing home deliveries. A couple of weeks ago I delivered to one of two attached cottages along a narrow, unlit, unmade road. After completing the delivery I had to turn the van around, as my only alternative was to reverse around 100 yds back to the main road (I should point out that it was dark at the time). I completed the turn outside the cottages, as that was the only point wide enough, and drove to the end of the road, where I stopped for a few moments to work out my next route. I was then approached by the owner of the second cottage who informed me that I had reversed into his oil tank. After apologising and confirming that I was unaware of any contact, I gave him the "bump card" that we carry, which has the contact details of the Company, and he also took a photo of the registration number. He said he couldn't tell in the dark, if there was any damage, but would check the following day. I heard no more, and assumed that all was okay, but today I was informed by my manager that they had received an NIP for driving without due care and attention. I would have thought that this was purely a matter for the insurance company, and am surprised the the police can prosecute on the strength of one person's allegation, without even speaking to me, or being present at the time to witness it. Any thoughts?

Me and my freind were riding our bikes down the A 11 last week and we were pulled over near Snetterton race track. We were both reported for dangerous driving as there had been reports of two bikes wheeling on the A 11. My freind admitted to wheeling as he did do it and didn't really know how to reply back to the copper as he was very manipulative and wanted to get a confession. I never once did a wheelie so denied the accusation but admitted to speeding as I knew I did speed I was sitting at 80 when he pulled behind us. The problem me and my freind are having is we don't think they have got any evidence of a wheelie but he's already admitted it. My main question is do they need evidence to give my freind dangerous driving and myself when there was no copper or any car at all when he did a wheelie which I might add only lasted two seconds. The copper never tried to prove anything and I thought if he did have proof he would of shown it to us. It seemed like he didn't have enough evidence to convict us of any dangerous riding so had to try his hardest to get my freind to admit his wheelie and tried getting me to admit a wheelie. What can we expect to happen next as he wasn't very clear on what would be happening and frankly we are both in bits at the minute as we risk getting a ban through dangerous driving which neither of us obviously want. Hope this makes sense many thanks.

Hi, I was wondering if anybody can help. My friend was stopped by the police yesterday and has been fined £300 and received 6 points in his licence for driving a friends car. He was under the belief he was covered third party through his own insurance policy with Enterprise Insurance. This was a genuine, honest mistake and I too, until now, have never heard of the DOC clause in insurance policies. I've done some research and it appears this clause has been brought in quietly over the years by insurance companies? My questions is, has anybody ever successfully challenged this clause, and successfully won, thus setting a precedent? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated as it appears many thousands of people have been caught out by this relatively unknown clause. Thank you.

Using a mobile phone whilst driving just 2 more weeks or so left on the consultation on this matter. Has anyone been following this topic see here >> https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hand-held-mobile-phones-changes-to-penalties-for-use-whilst-driving please see the other links within the link as well... 'The Department for Transport seeks feedback on proposed changes to penalties for the offence of using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. This consultation seeks feedback on proposals for increasing the fixed penalty notice (FPN) level from £100 to £150 for all drivers. It also invites views on increasing the penalty points from: 3 to 4 points for non-HGV drivers 3 to 6 points for those that hold a large goods vehicle (HGV) licence and commit the offence whilst driving an HGV The proposals ultimately aim to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the roads.'

My son is a 21 yr old adult with autistic spectrum disorder. he has recently begun driving lessons with a national company but on at least 2 occasions, his instructor has fell asleep during his lesson. i have complained to the company but had no response in 7 weeks. There is a fair bit more to this but was wondering where to escalate the complaint to? Would it be the DVSA?

This may be a common thread apologies if the information is elsewhere. I've just found a reminder to renew road tax which was due to expire November 30 2015. In my defence since there is no longer a paper road tax disc displayed on my windscreen I had no way of knowing this. I tried to apply for the tax online but since it expired in December and it is now January 10th it wouldn't let me. I eventually managed to pay online for the road tax but it was showing from 1st Jan 2016. In addition the website still shows my car as being untaxed! My question is when should I expect to receive a fine and how much will it be. I've heard £80! Should I expect a court summons? Is there a way of appealing the fine, I was sent no reminders by the dvla.

Some driving examiners are planning to take strike action at various times from Tuesday 1 December until Friday 4 December 2015. Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union are planning to take strike action. PCS has planned action at various times from Tuesday 1 December until Friday 4 December 2015. DVSA is doing all it can to make sure that tests go ahead as planned. Not all examiners are union members, and many test centres are expected to be operating as normal. You can read further information on GOV.UK

Driving examiners and vehicle examiners are planning to take strike action at various times on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November 2015. Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Service union (PCS) are planning to take strike action on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November 2015. Candidates advised to attend tests DVSA is doing all it can to make sure that driving tests go ahead as planned and recommends all candidates come for their test as usual If your pupil’s test is cancelled because of strike action, they won’t have to contact DVSA to rebook their appointment. DVSA will contact them with a new test appointment within 5 to 10 working days. Out-of-pocket expenses Your pupil can claim out-of-pocket expenses if their test is cancelled, but they must have turned up for their test in order to make this claim. If they don’t turn up, they’ll have to rebook their own test and they won’t be able to claim expenses. Theory tests Theory tests aren’t affected by the strike action and will be taking place as planned.

New proposals to improve the driving test including incentives to be better prepared form part of a consultation launched by government today. Driving test •biggest shake up of the driving test in a generation •proposals for a ‘cashback’ incentive for the driving test, introducing in a deposit which is returned to the driver if they pass, encouraging learner drivers to take their test when they are ready •government wants to hear your views on how to improve the service offered by DVSA and DVLA The Department for Transport (DfT) has launched proposals to improve the driving test as part of a wide ranging review of motoring services in Great Britain. Only 21% of driving tests result in a first time pass. The majority of tests are repeat examinations. Reduced driving test fee Under the new proposals the driving test fee would be reduced by requiring learner drivers to pay a deposit when they take their test, which they get back if they pass. This will help make sure learner drivers are: •better prepared for taking their test and driving independently •less likely to have an accident in the months following the test •taking their test when they are ready and confident of passing An incentive to be prepared Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We want to make learning to drive safer and more affordable. This change will give those who pass first time some money back and provide an incentive for learners to be more prepared before they take their test. These common sense proposals mean that all learner drivers can feel the benefit. “This consultation is a really important step and we want to hear all views.” Steve Gooding director of the RAC Foundation said: “We support measures that will encourage learner drivers to get the experience they need to pass their test first time with flying colours, rather than barely scraping through or failing and having to repeat the process a few months down the road at yet more expense.” Improving road safety and increasing efficiency The consultation also sets out proposals to: •introduce more driving test appointment times, including weekends and evenings •offer tests from a range of venues •review fees for all services provided by motoring agencies •change providers for some services •combine services at motoring agencies The consultation is part of the government’s ongoing work to streamline public services and save the taxpayer money. Email: [email protected] Write to: Edward Bunting Motoring Services Agency Sponsorship Department for Transport Zone 2/29 Great Minster House Horseferry Road London SW1P 4DR

Colleague's boyfriend took the car and was speeding. (If it at all matters, he took out temp cover with another company). The insurance company Policy Wise has now sent a letter to say they want £250 or they will cancel the insurance policy. Just checking that they are able to charge this amount? Surely they have to have a breakdown of costs otherwise it is seen as a penalty? Thanks Edit: Just checked the policy documents and it does refer to the £250 charge as a Penalty. http://imglnk.uk/img?i=oOoujV.jpg

Hello, Earlier this month, I was arrested in Central London for drink driving. I had attended my cousin's wedding reception near the Old Bailey and as is typical of the limited parking options in the city, after a tedious and lengthy search for parking places, I eventually managed to park my car a considerable distance away from the venue and walked to the event. Later that night when there were parking spaces available at the venue, I went to get my car so I could park it there. As it happened, and not being that familiar with that part of town, I ended up taking a wrong turn and in no time at all got lost and was struggling to find my way back. Unfortunately, I got stopped by the police, was breathalysed at the scene and ended up spending the night in a police cell, having been charged for drink driving. My reading by the way was 75mg. I had never been in any trouble with the law until this incident. I now have a court hearing in just over a week's time and I'm desperate for advice on whether it is worth seeking a private solicitor or simply use the services of the duty solicitor on the day. Secondly, if the general recommendation is for me to employ the services of a private solicitor, could anyone recommend some solicitors who aren't too expensive to use? Finally, what sort of punishment can I expect to receive for my offence if found guilty? Thank you.

Hi I feel a bit silly at the moment but need some advice if possible please. I'm 54 and only got my license in April 2014. I have a few problems such as social phobia and other things was advised by people that having my own car would help me get out of the house more etc and be able to lead more of a life i tended to rarely leave the house as i cannot use public transport or walk where there are other people (I know i'm weird ) I did this and was so chuffed when i passed first time. I got a car with comprehensive insurance which allowed me to drive other cars. Around 6 months after that my oldest son bought me a newer car and i got new insurance which was comprehensive. Last week i was out with my teenage son at night in his small car. He's had his license for around a year. We were out taking photographs of various things for a course he's on. He started feeling a bit unwell and so i took over and was going to drive us home. A few minutes later we were stopped by the police as they said i was driving suspiciously. I was simply driving slowly trying to work out the best way home as its not an area i'm familiar with. They saw that the car was insured with my son but asked under which insurance was i driving. I said under my cars comprehensive insurance. They then said that not all comprehensive lets you drive other cars. A fact i didn't know. They let me go with my son driving and asked me to double check my policy and call them when i got home. I found my policy and in the small print was a sentence saying i could not drive other cars. I immediately called them and told them what it said. Also within 10 minutes of getting home and finding this out i took out a policy for the car in my name as my sons was due to run out and as a student he could not afford to pay the nearly £3000 policy to renew anyway and it allows him to keep the car on the drive until he can afford to insure it himself. The next day i got a call asking me to go to the station where forms where filled out and i was issued a traffic offense report ticket. Yesterday i got an offer of a fixed penalty of 6 points and £300. This will mean i lose my license and my life will severely curtailed as its the only way i can leave the house. It says if i don't accept i can go to court and plead guilty or not guilty. It also says at the top 'i refer to the traffic offence report ticket that was issued to you at the roadside' This is not correct. The police simply wrote in a notebook and asked me to phone them later. I was issued nothing official at the roadside and was given this paperwork the following day at the station where it was filled out in front of me. I was also only cautioned at the police station the following day Does this fact have any impact on anything? Also why have they said it was issued at roadside when it was filled in and issued at the station a day later? My point after the long ramble is whether or not i would be wasting my time going to court and if i have any mitigating circumstances at all that could lead a court to not giving me 6 points. A fine, a course, anything else would be ok as i realise the law was broken, even though i'd struggle with a fine it would be better than losing my license. I have 28 days to accept or not. Have looked online and seems to say i can't get legal aid for a motoring offence so have no support in this. Any advice would be gratefully received. I genuinely thought i was covered to drive it. I paid £1100 for my comprehensive policy on the other car. Thanks

Hi. Query regards driving other cars. I am insured to drive a Citroen c3. My policy states that i am allowed to drive other cars with the owners permission. Now how does this work when pulled over by the law if i am driving another car that has tax and mot but not showing any insurance.As the driver(me) is insured to drive it. If the car is sorn as not insured. Would the owner get notification of no insurance?

My partner had his driving licence revoked in August due to a medical misdiagnosis by a locum GP and four weeks later is still waiting for the DVLA to reissue his licence after continuous calls made to them. I was curious to know if anyone else had gone through the same thing and if they had any advise please. Thank you

HI there, A few months ago my boyfriend got caught drink driving . He crashed his car into a wall and had only had 2 pints . His breathalyser at the scene was on the limit, but was unable to give a 2nd as he passed out. At the station they took a urine test but apparently did the test wrong which showed his urine level being higher than it should have been. They also said they took 2 samples within 2 minutes of each other and then a second 55 minutes later (even though it should be an hour?!). He goes to court tomorrow and his solicitor has told him to plead not guilty but it is going on the "police mucked up the test" Aspect rather than the breathalyser being on the limit.. Does anyone have experience of what may happen in this? OR any advice? Im pregnant and due in 7 months time and i live in the middle of nowhere. i NEED him to be able to drive me to the hospital as the nearest ambulance station is 45 minutes away. HELP PLEASE?!

Hi, I have just renewed my car insurance and the provider is requesting copies of both mine and my partners driving licences!! Is this law? can I refuse? Im not hiding anything, I just dont like it when businesses start making my life more difficult with all this crap. Now I have to dig out these items, photo copy them and post them. Why dont they just deal with this direct with DVLA instead of making it my problem!! Anyway, can I just say No. Ta

Conservatives plot a motoring revolution: Draft report reveals biggest reform to regulations since driving test introduced in 1935 independent

Hi, I need an advice urgently. I moved house on 3 March 2015 on 20 Aug 2015 received a Notice of enforcement from bailiffs, Equita. According to the council the incident happened on 6 March 2015 (3days after I moved house), on 11th Council applied for my address from DVLA and were given an old address and all the correspondence was sent to the old address. Council claims that because their letters left their building they assume that I received them, there was no sender's address at the back of their letter so that is why I think the letters could not be returned. I know that lots of my mail was returned to the senders, for example my credit card was blocked because my statement was sent back from an old address, so not sure why council's mail was not returned or it is easier for them that way. I spoke to Council on 21 Aug 2015 and they advised to contact TEC and ask for Statutory Declaration form and fill them in. I managed to speak to TEC today, they sent me Late Statutory Declaration form PE2 and Statutory Declaration form PE3. I would like an advise how correctly fill the forms, I know that my main reason I have never received any correspondence, and because the dates of moving house and incident were so close to each other, there was a confusion with an address. DVLA was informed with a new address, surprisingly it took very long to get my new VO5, but I eventially received it back in April 2015. But still I cannot believe that the council has followed the correct procedures, how somone could be taken to the court without being informed. Council claims that under data protaction act they could not check my address with council tax department, my old address was at the same council as where the incident happened, but how come the bailiffs found me. Any advises would be much appreciated Thanks

Having researched the drink driving law I came across this article (see attachment) I think there is going to be a new level for a positive breathe sample from 35 down to 22 can someone read this attachment and confirm that what I am reading is correct.... Your comments please as always

wonder if anyone can help . My sister just booked intensive driving course which has been a total disaster. On of the main things was that the instructor had no badge displayed and despite her asking several times she only found iust the number today and he told her ( just before her test ) that he is only a trainee. should he have displayed his badge? The car had a problem with a tyre which was noticed by the examiner He fell asleep whilst giving her lessons ( and apparently had been working very long hours) He lied about knowing the area and was constantly using a sat nav on his phone to get round . Plus apparently he asked her out to dinner. This was amongst other things as well. She is totally gutted as the course cost her a lot of money does she have any recourse?

My car was hit by another driver today before and they proceeded to drive away, my neighbour heard the collision and luckily got the car registration and make and model. The damage to my car is only probably a few hundred pounds. I have called the police and I have an appointment with them tomorrow. What is the best way to proceed with this? I feel I have two options, go through my insurance and pay my excess (£250) and lose my my ncb. I can't help but feel a little bit hard done to here, I was hit by a possible uninsured driver and may possibly have to pay for the same as well as us all paying extra in our premiums. Any advice? Any chance the askmib site is incorrect? If I do pay for this out if my own pocket I will try and have the police take it as far as possible.

my driving licence got revoked and my ar siezed can my dad use his car insurance to get my car out as my driving licence at dvla waiting to up date ..?

I really hope that someone can help with this situation as i am in despair as to what to do. I have been with NatWest for a long time and have been on benefits since January 2008 due to various complex medical problems. During this time the bank has on numerous occasions charged me for direct debits that were collected before the time agreed and then extra charges each day until my benefits went in, then they would take the full amount owing and leave me very little money to live on for the next fortnight, so much so that i have gone without food and fuel on many an occasion. After getting advice i telephoned NatWest to explain my situation and they wrote off a substantial amount of the charges but still charged me a basic amount of approximately £50. I had to call them on three different occasions from 2008 - 2014 to sort this out. Two years ago i moved from England to Northern Ireland and where i am in Northern Ireland there is no NatWest and things started to get more difficult. After having my sixth mini-stroke last year i decided to open a post office account and have my benefits transferred to that account after i paid off the previous charges and the bank then stopped me using my bank card. I am now getting letters and texts saying that i now owe £300 plus as each day more is added even though i don't use the bank account as i can't anyway. I have recently been hospitalised due to a recent stroke like episode and feel that i cannot contact this bank again as it is too stressful. I have been informed that there is a new law regarding bank charges and people on benefits but i don't know where to start to look for this and am feeling overwhelmed at the thought of getting this sorted once and for all. Please help, and thank you Georgy