HC Deb 24 April 2001 vol 367 cc203-4W
Fiona Mactaggart

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he(a) has had and (b) is planning with refugee organisations and others about acceptable evidence of identity for asylum seekers applying for a driving licence. [158462]

Mr. Hill

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has been in correspondence with the Commission for Racial Equality and the Refugee Council regarding applications for photocard driving licences from asylum seekers. DVLA will shortly write again to these organisations to explain revised arrangements for those asylum seekers who cannot produce a passport, birth certificate or Home Office documentation to support their application for a photocard driving licence.

Fiona Mactaggart

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence of identity is acceptable for asylum seekers applying for a driving licence. [158461]

Mr. Hill

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will accept a passport, birth certificate or Home Office issued travel document or naturalisation papers in support of an application for a photocard driving licence. If none of these documents is available, DVLA will consider whatever alternative evidence of identity an individual can submit.