All this talk about cars... UK Driving Licence question

[meriad]

I firs got my driving licence in SA back in December 1986. When I moved over to the UK in 1997 relations between the UK and SA weren't at their best and at that point I wasn't able to exchange my SA licence for a UK one; so I redid my licence here in the UK.

When it was issued I was quite surprised that I was allowed to drive all sorts of vehicles, cars, trucks etc.

A month ago I received a letter from the DVLA to say they were going through all their records and it would appear that I have been issued with incorrect classifications as from 1 January 1997 the exchange of a SA to UK licence no longer entitled a driver to the various driving categories. Now I do totally understand this and have often wondered just why I had so many classifications compared to anyone else I know (who had exchanged) but always put it down to the fact that I've got two full licences; my UK and SA.

Has anyone here obtained their licence here in the UK at approximately the same time? Just wondering what classifications you are entitled to drive

Actually as a matter of curiosity; it would be interesting to find out who did theirs when and what they're allowed to drive.

[Workingman]

I lost my full motorbike licence in 1971 due to what was thought to be an epileptic fit, even though there was no evidence. It's a long story - I passed out skiing, but my brother was a registered epileptic due to his mental and physical handicaps, so they put two and two together...

I passed my UK driving licence in 1973, shortly before being posted to Germany. I then took my BFG test and Führerschein (German Test) in the hope of getting my bike licence back. It didn't work! I guess that even back then, before the EU, European countries were getting their acts together to harmonise some things.

My RAF licences (if still in force) would allow me to drive, and operate, such things as cranes, runway gritters, snow ploughs, aircraft tugs, runway foam layers and crash transporters.

And when we had horses I got to operate a straw baler because the owner of the fields couldn't be bothered.

As for my current UK licence.... I can drive a car, ride a 49cc moped, or walk.

[Diflower]

I have mine here meriad since it's just been returned with its points added
It says, under 'categories for which licence is valid':
B, C1, D1, BE, C1E, D1E

Hope that helps

[Workingman]

A bit like me Di, you can drive a car, ride a disability scooter, walk, or catch the bus.

[Diflower]

Lol I know but I thought the actual codes would help

I'm also allowed to tow

[meriad]

A bit like me Di, you can drive a car, ride a disability scooter, walk, or catch the bus.

Actually no; C1 is a large Luton truck (B1 is the regular little van) and C1E is the truck and trailer. D1E allows the driving of a mini bus and trailer.... so quite a bit more

And that's what I had on my original licence, but it seems they've taken nearly everything away. Think I may give them a call after all

Di, thanks - that has been helpful

[Diflower]

Yes I did see the little picture of what looked like quite a big truck, I did always think that you could drive up to a certain weight, like some of those hire vans for instance

[cruiser2]

I can drive a motor bike with no restriction on size with or without a side car

Also cars both manual and automatic, cars with trailers agricultural tractors, mowing machine controlled by a pedestrian, electric vehicles, vehicles used for very short distances on public roads and mopeds.
This is from the information on my licence and the DVLA booklet INS57P.

Do you carry your driving licence with you? I leave mine at home unless I am going on a long journey.

[meriad]

Yes Cruiser, I always have my licence on me. In the past it was just the photo ID bit, but now that I have a bigger purse I have the paper bit as well. At least this way I know where it is

[pederito1]

Thanks that reminded me to look at the renewal date on mine but it is next year. I had a first licence in 43 or 44 but learnt long before (joy riding!) It was for all categories including steamrollers!! without a test now some of them have been eroded with advancing age but I think and hope I am still OK for cars and bikes though have not ridden a big one for ages. Can`t be bothered to look what all the letters mean, I just carry the card with me.