A HUGE driving licence change affecting 60,000 motorists will hit this weekend.
Requirements and standards for driving licences are set to change from October 5, as laid out by the government.
The major change, which is set to hit Jersey, could impact 68,219 cars and vans on the island, as counted in a 2021 census.
Both Group 1 and Group 2 licences holders will be affected.
Group 1, being the typical drivers licence, will not face as serious changes as Group 2, being for heavy goods vehicles and buses.
If you require a medical certificate to prove you’re fit to drive, the medical certificate will only be necessary if a certain condition is declared to your parish.
However, Group 2 licence holders will need an extra two medical tests in their lifetime.
Currently, Group 2 only requires medicals at 45, 55 and 65 years of age.
But now, there will be two more at 50 and 60.
Significant changes are also happening for vision standards in both licence holder groups.
With an exam to measure how good your peripheral vision being added to the drivers licence standard.
Plus the acuity test which measures the clarity of your vision has been updated.
Interestingly, more people might end up getting Group 2 licences.
This is because diabetes, epilepsy, and seizure standards have also been updated.
If you passed your drivers licence before 1997 and you have either a C1 or D1 on your licence, you are a holder of a Group 2 licence.
Should you not want or need this, it can be withdrawn.
If you change your mind you have five years to get it back.
Essentially, these changes will transform Jersey drivers license standards to that of the UK’s and the EU’s.
How do I apply for a driving licence?
IN the UK, you receive a full driving licence after you’ve passed your drivers test.
After you have passed your drivers test, the examiner will take your provisional driving licence away and give you your driving test certificate instead.
Then you will need to arrange for the DVLA to send over your licence but you can keep driving in the meantime.
Here’s how to apply for a driving licence if you didn’t give your provisional licence to the examiner, or you’ve had a change of personal details, or you need to renew your driving licence.
- Sign your drivers test pass certificate.
- Fill in D1 ‘application for driving licence’ which you can get from selected post offices.
- Prove your identity using official documents.
- Include a passport photograph.
- Include your provisional licence.
- Send it all to the DVLA.
