GB DVLA driving licence

Needs

• Signed deed poll
• ~14 day to 4+ months
• [Optional] Updated passport

Introduction

Not a difficult one at all, but it does take some time. The DVLA is delayed from the whole pandemic thing, so it does take a while to process your application.

You’ll also need to be able to go without your licence for that duration too, so if you need it for ID, then you may want to be tactical about when you do it. You will need to give it to them and you’ll not get it back until they’re done with it.

I also risked this a little due to my impatience and I submitted the application with just a deed poll, and either got lucky, or the DVLA was very effecient. The application took so long that I got a new passport in the mean time, and maybe that helped? More information on this below.

Application process

Similar to many other things, I was forced to do this by post rather than online, for some reason the DVLA website does not acknowledge my address. This guide will cover the D1 form you can get from your local post office, you only need ask for a driving licence application form. Similarly to getting a passport, it’s one form for almost all needs.

Starting in section 1, you should fill in this form with your new details, with the exception of your driving licence number. You should fill your existing one it. In these example images, John Edward Smith is changing her name to Jane Edie Smith.

Current address is as is, change it or keep it the same, shouldn’t have any effect.

Appreciating I am writing it in digitally for the example, I wrote it with pen and paper on the application, I just want the text to be legible here. This is the important bit, I entered my old and new details in this box as shown above.

For section 1a, and 2, fill them in as you would.

Section 3, you’re looking for a replacement where you’ll provide your existing licence. Optionally look through organ donation checkboxes here and tick as you wish.

Section 4, previous licence details, depending on your circumstances, you’ll have had a photocard licence.

Section 5, another section you can fill per your circumstances. I’m skipping these for examples as they don’t pertain to the change of details we’re focusing on.

For stage 6, I wrote out “A1” at the top left corner of my deed poll, and replicated that for the reference on the form. I also gave them my UK passport number as proof of identity, even though at this stage my passport was still in my old name.

Make sure you tick the right boxes here, if you are submitting other documents, tick as appropriate.

For the new photo, I did submit a new photo, but I did not have it signed. This is because it says you don’t need to if you’ve provided a UK driving licence number. This was perhaps a risk too in hindsight. I personally left section 7 blank.

Finally I placed my photo in the marked section, then signed and dated the document.

In the envelope I included:

• The form (with attached photo)
• My existing licence
• An original copy of a deed poll (with document reference written)
• A post office money order for the fee (£17)

You should read the INS117 form that is included to confirm the exact fee. Note at this stage, if you only are changing your name and/of gender, there is no associated fee! Only if you update your photo. Please double check yourself.

Post it and wait for a long time.

Between sending the form off and recieving my licence, I updated my passport. This may or may not have helped my application. Just wanted to be transparent about the exact order of steps here.