[Esspiti]

It's my 18th birthday next week and I was wondering if a provisional drivers license is suitable for pubs/clubs etc. as ID? I've had it since December but I don't have a valid passport as I haven't been on holiday for over a decade

[davidmcn]

It should be, unless you're dealing with an idiot - but I expect they're used to 18 year olds with provisionals.

[Esspiti]

Cheers, I just get confused reading stuff on the web - like some law in 2010 that says they don't count

[katie101jane]

Most of my friends either use provisional driving licenses or actual driving licenses, so you should be fine. Other than that, a passport is also acceptable, so long as it's in date. Most places I've been to haven't given the date of expiration a second look on my passport, but I had a nasty shock last year when I went to enter a bar, handed over my passport, only to be told it was over a month out of date The guy let me off the first time, but said next time, I wouldn't be allowed in. I avoided the place for quite a long time after that I still haven't got round to renewing it

EDIT: just seen your bit about not having a valid passport - d'oh!

[woodbush]

Same question asked on this thread.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...ht=provisional

[Esspiti]

Originally Posted by woodbush

Same question asked on this thread.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showt...ht=provisional

Oh cheers, sorry but I don't have a forum search thing on my phone

[lottielaneuve]

I'm 23 and use my provisional licence for ID all the time (though less and less as time goes on ) I don't think you'll have any problems, honestly.

[xMushyPeaSarahx]

I don't have a passport as I'm scared of flying so I rely on mine for ID, it's never been a problem before. You'll be fine.

[gdjman68wasdigi]

Originally Posted by xMushyPeaSarahx

I don't have a passport as I'm scared of flying so I rely on mine for ID, it's never been a problem before. You'll be fine.

safest form of travel, more so than the roads.too many bad drivers

[LaceyLouelle3]

Yes I've been using mine as I.D for 4 years now.

[walterwhite]

Originally Posted by gdjman68wasdigi

safest form of travel, more so than the roads.too many bad drivers

That will cure them. If only someone had said that to them before.

[Smiley433]

Originally Posted by katie101jane

I had a nasty shock last year when I went to enter a bar, handed over my passport, only to be told it was over a month out of date The guy let me off the first time, but said next time, I wouldn't be allowed in. I avoided the place for quite a long time after that I still haven't got round to renewing it

Should have copied what Dara O'Briain did when he was found his passport had expired - I think he was at an airport travelling between Ireland and England though. He said to them holding the passport open at the photograph, "It's still me".

Can see why a passport has to be valid for allowing you to travel or a driving license has to be valid to allow to you drive, but using a passport as ID to get into a bar after it has expired seems a bit strange - you don't stop being the person on the document after the expiry date. Unless of course it expired 20 years ago and you look completely different.

[Inkblot]

Originally Posted by Smiley433

Can see why a passport has to be valid for allowing you to travel or a driving license has to be valid to allow to you drive, but using a passport as ID to get into a bar after it has expired seems a bit strange - you don't stop being the person on the document after the expiry date. Unless of course it expired 20 years ago and you look completely different.

I suppose the argument would be that neither a passport nor a driving licence is primarily intended as proof-of-age, it is specifically intended to prove that you have the right to drive or the right of residence in the UK. So they are only valid documents if they haven't expired. It's an anomaly because if you're using one as proof of age (which isn't the same as ID) then since you can't get younger after they expire, it should still be accepted, but it's not a valid proof of who you are unless it's still within its expiry date.

[Imnotok!!]

My friend got refused into a pub with a provisional. But tbh I think the pub was being very very over picky. Although, I think if you look at an I'd poster provisionals aren't valid for some reason but a full licsense is!

Tbh I think you will be absolutely fine, but just thought I would put it out there about my friend. Have a good night anyways

[davidmcn]

Originally Posted by Smiley433

Can see why a passport has to be valid for allowing you to travel or a driving license has to be valid to allow to you drive, but using a passport as ID to get into a bar after it has expired seems a bit strange - you don't stop being the person on the document after the expiry date. Unless of course it expired 20 years ago and you look completely different.

I suppose one argument is that it's reasonable to presume that the bearer of a current passport or driving licence is the person named on it, whereas an expired one might have been binned or passed on to someone else.

[Inkblot]

Originally Posted by davidmcn

I suppose one argument is that it's reasonable to presume that the bearer of a current passport or driving licence is the person named on it, whereas an expired one might have been binned or passed on to someone else.

Thinking about it, it's simpler than that.

The law does not require you to prove you are over 18, it requires licensed premises to prove that they do not sell to anyone under 18. Refusing to accept out-of-date documents is one way premises prove they are complying with the law. It doesn't mean the documents don't prove how old you are, but it does mean the businesses can't be prosecuted if an under-age drinker tries to use one as ID.

[walterwhite]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

I suppose the argument would be that neither a passport nor a driving licence is primarily intended as proof-of-age, it is specifically intended to prove that you have the right to drive or the right of residence in the UK. So they are only valid documents if they haven't expired. It's an anomaly because if you're using one as proof of age (which isn't the same as ID) then since you can't get younger after they expire, it should still be accepted, but it's not a valid proof of who you are unless it's still within its expiry date.

Only a jobsworth would use that argument.

[bruce_appleton]

Why not get a Citizencard? It shows your picture,name and date of birth and they are Government backed.As you're 18 now you apply for an adult(18+)card.They are a very good source of ID.Hope this helps.

[Nigel Goodwin]

My daughter is about to go to the Netherlands for a year, for a 'year in industry' as part of her Masters degree - the contract came last week, and it specifically says that driving licences (full or not) aren't acceptable ID. Not a problem of course, as you obviously have a passport if you're going abroad.

But in pubs here a licence is fine as pub ID - in fact my daughter was asked for ID (the first time EVER) on here 18th birthday, and used her driving licence - the bouncer even wished her happy birthday.

[zoepaulpenny]

surely with all the data available on all of us now. via banks, driving licenses and so on
any id should do. just a passport photo with address on should be enough for all of us..

[Emmersonne]

Does anyone know why an expired passport isn't accepted? It's not as if your DOB has changed since, is it?

Or it the photo adjudged to be too out of date on an expired passport (i.e. more than 10 years old)

[Inkblot]

Originally Posted by Emmersonne

Does anyone know why an expired passport isn't accepted? It's not as if your DOB has changed since, is it?

I tried to explain why I think that happens a couple of posts earlier. It's so that businesses can say that they take all reasonable measures to prevent under-aged people being served. Because an expired passport is not a valid document, in the unlikely event someone used one to get served whilst under 18, the establishment could be prosecuted. But I agree it's unlikely to happen.

[PhoenixRises]

I can only go by my experience, and provisional licence was accepted by bouncers at clubs, but it wasn't accepted at shops when attempting to by alcoholic Christmas gifts.

[Emmersonne]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

I tried to explain why I think that happens a couple of posts earlier. It's so that businesses can say that they take all reasonable measures to prevent under-aged people being served. Because an expired passport is not a valid document, in the unlikely event someone used one to get served whilst under 18, the establishment could be prosecuted. But I agree it's unlikely to happen.

Sorry, I must have skimmed past that

My passport expires sometime this year, I usually wouldn't worry as I have my driver's licence, but knowing my luck I'll end up with someone refusing it.

[roland rat]

Originally Posted by davidmcn

It should be, unless you're dealing with an idiot - but I expect they're used to 18 year olds with provisionals.

It all depends on the licencing board, and the primise licencing conditions

In my local council, we take provisonla licences, as it is part of our licence agreement, but however some local corner shops, and some pubs, its not part of there licence condtion, so only id they can accept is full driving licence, or a VALID passport