Parent Affidavit For Driving Permit Template for England and Wales

It is a sworn written statement from a parent or guardian confirming their identity, parental responsibility, and consent for a minor to apply for or hold a provisional driving licence or to take part in supervised driving activities. It may be required by licensing authorities or motoring organisations where the minor's parental consent cannot be verified through other means.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, the minimum age for a car provisional driving licence is 17. Young people aged 16 may hold a provisional licence for mopeds or small motorcycles. There is no separate driving permit requiring parental affidavit for standard road use; the affidavit may be relevant for specific track or activity programmes.

Under the Children Act 1989, parental responsibility is held automatically by the birth mother and, in most cases, the father. It may also be held by guardians or others under a court order. Only a person with parental responsibility can give legally effective consent for a minor. The affidavit should confirm the deponent's name, relationship, and parental responsibility status.

DVLA's standard D1 application form for a provisional licence does not generally require a sworn parental affidavit. An affidavit is typically requested by a third party organisation such as a driving school, track day operator, or foreign licensing authority where they need additional confirmation of parental consent beyond the standard application form.

The affidavit must be sworn before a solicitor, commissioner for oaths, or notary public under the Oaths Act 1978. The parent takes an oath on a holy book or makes a solemn affirmation, and the administering officer completes the jurat recording when and where the oath was taken. A fee is usually charged for this service by the administering officer.

It should state the parent's full name, address, and relationship to the child, the child's full name and date of birth, confirmation that the parent holds parental responsibility, a description of the driving activity or permit the affidavit relates to, and an express statement of consent. The date and location of swearing must appear in the jurat.

Making a false statement on oath constitutes perjury under the Perjury Act 1911 and is a serious criminal offence carrying up to seven years' imprisonment. The requesting organisation may also withdraw consent and refer the matter to the relevant authority. Where a minor is involved in a road traffic incident after a false affidavit, additional civil liability may arise.

The requesting organisation should retain the original affidavit for the duration of the minor's participation in the relevant programme and for at least six years after the driving activities have ended, reflecting the Limitation Act 1980 limitation period for personal injury and contract claims. Secure storage is required given the personal data contained in the document.