Do I need a photograph, will I need it certified? & do I require identity documents?

New Style European Union licences i.e. colour photocard type with counter part

Do I need a photo?

Yes - if you are applying for:
a 'Provisional', a 'Renewal',an 'Optional Renewal', or 'Exchanging your licence from another country', you must provide a recent colour passport size photograph.

Please Note: You must have your photograph certified, unless you choose to provide a valid passport instead of providing a suitable authenticator.

No - if you are applying for:
a change of name or/and address or a duplicate (i.e. anything other than a 'Provisional', a 'Renewal',an 'Optional Renewal' or 'Exchanging your licence from another country')

Identity documents

If you currently hold a 'New Style' Uk or NI photocard licence, identity documents are not normally required unless you are changing your name or correcting your date of birth.

Old style licences i.e. black and white plastic card type with counter part

Identity documents and a recent passport size colour photgraph are always required, and your photo must be certified unless you choose to send a valid passport to confirm your identity. This applies to all application types.

Who can certify my photograph?

An MP
A Magistrate
A Minister of Religion
A professionally qualified person (e.g. engineer, lawyer, teacher etc)
A local councillor
A bank official
An established civil servant
Local business person
Shopkeeper
Librarian
A police officer; or
Someone of similar standing.

Warning: This person must have known you personally for at least two years and must not be a relative.

Note: Some professionals may charge you for this. DVA will carry out checks on those who sign your photograph/DL1.

For detailed information on acceptable photograph critereia please see link below

Acceptable photograph criteria in detail

Acceptable identity documents.

Following the introduction of Identity Checking, customers applying for photocard driving licences are now required to submit original documentation confirming their identity.

The documents required to confirm your identity are either:

Full Valid Current Passport in your current name
UK or IRL Birth Certificate

However, in some instances we will accept

Certificate of Registry of Birth (Provided your name is present on the certificate)
Adoption certificate
ID Card issued by a member state of the EEA (ID cards issued by the United Kingdom Passport Agency are not accepted by DVA as confirmation of your identity)
Travel Documents issued by the Home Office
Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration (with supporting documentation)
Proof of entitlement for the State Retirement Pension

If your name is now different from that shown on your passport, you must have your passport or identity card updated to show this change, before you apply for your driving licence.

If your name is different to that shown on your Birth Certificate please also supply original documentary evidence to confirm your change of name e.g. Marriage Certificate, Decree Absolute or Decree Nisi papers, Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration. The evidence you provide must show a clear link between the name on your identity document and your current name.

If you are in any doubt as to the identity documents you need to supply, you may contact our helpline for assistance on : 0845 402 4000 (Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00)