The way we apply for a new or replacement driver's licence is changing and the change may not be convenient for everyone. From the 29th of October, whether you are applying for a first provisional or a replacement full licence, you'll have to go and present yourself at one of the new National Drivers Licence Service (NDLS) centres. Just as with the NCT, the provision and monitoring of licences is being outsourced from the local authority tax offices to a private provider.
The good news is that these new centres will be genuinely nationwide (at least one in every county) and no matter where you live, you'll be able to apply for your licence at any one of the centres. Plus, they'll be open at lunchtimes and some weekend hours too, to try and facilitate those who can't make it during work hours.
Dragging you down to the centre is part of a new security process though, designed to make it harder for unlicensed or banned drivers to get hold of a new licence. The NDLS told us that "the new 'face to face' application process is being introduced which will help to increase the level of security around the driving licence, combat fraud and keep unlicensed drivers off our roads. Therefore you need to apply in person at any one of the NDLS centres nationwide in order to complete the 'face to face' security validation process."
Anything else?
The good news is that you'll probably only have to do the face-to-face bit once. The NDLS will shortly be introducing a system whereby you can phone in for a new licence, and send in your official documents by post, once you've completed one face-to-face application.