Just to bring this post up to date.Passed my driving test way back in the early seventies,passed a H class test in 1978 as i was serving in the armed forces and was required to drive tracked vehicles in Germany after being there a few years i was lucky enough to get the chance to sit my HGV class 2 and passed. Having being stopped by the police in May 2009 as my insurance company had concelled my policy and never informed me ( they are seemily not required to inform you if they cancel your policy), was also informed by the police that i was a unlicensed driver.Have been in touch with dvla on numerious occasions and had my local mp get in touch with them as well,every time i get an answer back it is always different the MP's ones are the same.Was basically told that i was to reapply for a provisional and would have to resit my test even though i drove for nearly 12 years for my country,how sick do i feel.