Driving licence/passport photo woes.

Arcadesteve

Active Member
I know i'm new but fancy getting something off my chest. My driving licence funs out in febuary so i decided to get my licence and passport sorted out at the same time. The plan being do passport and then licence. I went down to my doctors with ten quid (that's how much i was charged ten years ago) only to find out that they don't confirm identities anymore. I waved my tenner around hoping some cold, hard untaxable cash in hand might pursuade them. It didn't.

Now i'm stuck. Luckily i don't actually own a car. I rent as and when i need one which is about three times a year. But still. I'm just hoping i know someone who can do it. It's really quite rubbish.
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
A teacher can do it for you - if you have children at school or know any personally, they should sort you out.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
For a British passport you have quite a choice:-
  • accountant
  • airline pilot
  • articled clerk of a limited company
  • assurance agent of recognised company
  • bank/building society official
  • barrister
  • chairman/director of limited company
  • chiropodist
  • commissioner of oaths
  • councillor (local or county)
  • civil servant (permanent), but not someone who works for IPS
  • dentist
  • director/manager of a VAT-registered charity
  • director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
  • engineer (with professional qualifications)
  • financial services intermediary (eg a stockbroker or insurance broker)
  • fire service official
  • funeral director
  • insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
  • journalist
  • Justice of the Peace
  • legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
  • licensee of public house
  • local government officer
  • manager/personnel officer (of a limited company)
  • member, associate or fellow of a professional body
  • Member of Parliament
  • Merchant Navy officer
  • minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
  • nurse (RGN and RMN)
  • officer of the armed services (active or retired)
  • optician
  • paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
  • person with honours (an OBE or MBE, for example)
  • pharmacist
  • photographer (professional)
  • police officer
  • Post Office official
  • president/secretary of a recognised organisation
  • Salvation Army officer
  • social worker
  • solicitor
  • surveyor
  • teacher, lecturer
  • trade union officer
  • travel agent (qualified)
  • valuer or auctioneer (fellows and associate members of the incorporated society)
  • Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Licencee of public house?

It's interesting that a (professional) photographer can do it - cut out the middle-man..

Other countries have much tighter lists, I only have this lot to choose from:-
The person who witnesses your signature and confirms your identity must, without exception, be a member of one of the following professions and must not be related to you. Retired witnesses are not acceptable:
Police Officer
Member of the Clergy
School Principal/Vice Principal
Judge/Magistrate
Practicing Lawyer
Accountant
Medical Doctor
Bank Manager/Assistant Manager
Elected Public Representative


I was OK, but my tame magistrate has just packed it in - that list only applies outside the state, if I get it done back home then it has to be a copper, nobody else..
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
I confess to being a bit surprised at the OP being charged for the service by their doctor in the past - is that legit?

I have always been near enough to a teacher, even when i had my passport stolen in Brazil whilst luckily travelling with one, for it not to be an issue.

P.S.
  • journalist
Ha!
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I confess to being a bit surprised at the OP being charged for the service by their doctor in the past - is that legit?
It is legit - and yet immoral. They can charge what they think they can get out of you. £25/30 seems common enough.

The slice of the population in the British list is such that there can't be many people left that can't sign it..

I left out highlighting the fact that a journalist is deemed trustworthy enough to do it - that just seemed too silly.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Your local GP has probably done a 25 minute talk to some pissdup types in luxury surroundings for around £3,000

All thanks to a drug company rep

Which of course will have no reflection on what he or she prescribes in the future.....

Much
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Are you suggesting that Arcadesteve's woes stem from tightwaddery?

Or from immorality?

My money's on the latter.
Neither, really. Arcadesteve's woes actually stem from the fact that some people who can quite legitimately and easily help him can't be bothered to, even when a legal bribe is offered. A lot of banks will even refuse to do it now, "because of money laundering legislation". It's all a bit of a farce, when you consider how loose the UK system is.

I'm only allowed the much reduced list above because they recognise how difficult it can be to find a copper that actually knows you outside the state.
 

Arcadesteve

Active Member
A quick question. I have found out that i have a friend who's brother is a Pastor in a Pentecostal church. He runs his own congregation and eveything and i never knew. Anyway, he knows me and is willing to sign my photos. Except neither of us is sure that he can. He's never been asked till now. Is a Pastor a 'minister of a recognised religion'?
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
A quick question. I have found out that i have a friend who's brother is a Pastor in a Pentecostal church. He runs his own congregation and eveything and i never knew. Anyway, he knows me and is willing to sign my photos. Except neither of us is sure that he can. He's never been asked till now. Is a Pastor a 'minister of a recognised religion'?
I don't know for sure, but, if they'll have a Christian Scientist, then I wouldn't expect there to be any problem.

Maybe ring them and ask..?
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
They will now accepted retired people with former occupations on the list. Until quite recently they didn't, then someone started muttering things about age discrimination.
 

Noah

Well-Known Forumite
message deleted, hit post button by accident. Editing message won't let you delete it
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Editing message won't let you delete it
You have to leave something - nill posts are not, and have never been, accepted.

The default is to leave a full-stop - hence references elsewhere to the 'return of the "dot-post"'.
 

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
You are most welcome. :)

Alternatives to the 'dot-post' remain, as always, the world of the ever popular smiley...

:D
 
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