Our blog research uncovers some bizarre stories related to motoring. This week, Book Theory Test Today came across a story that’s out of this world, involving a Dad and his battle with the DVLA over his driving licence picture. Find out what all the fuss is about, here…
Book Theory Test Today says: “It’s difficult to know where to begin with this. Part of us is like ‘is this guy serious, did he do this for a dare?’ However, we’ve actually grown quite accustomed to such bizarre stories, so if the man wants to wear a colander on his head in his driving licence picture and challenge the DVLA who are we to argue?â€
The story centres on Ian Harris who’s a member of the ‘Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster’, you’re not reading this wrong and no, it’s not a joke. Followers of this ‘religion’ are known as ‘Pastafarians’, and they view the colander as a religious garment.
DVLA challenge
Mr Harris can be seen wearing his ‘religious garment’ in a photo submitted to the DVLA as part of a request to change the photograph on his current driving licence. However, the DVLA has told him to remove the ‘garment’ because it’s quite clearly a colander.
However, Ian of Brighton, East Sussex, is challenging the DVLA over his right to wear the colander in his driving licence photo. He says that his headgear is the equivalent of Muslim women being pictured in hijabs.
DVLA refusal
The DVLA has already refused Mr Harris’ request, but undeterred, he sent off a new photo donning the headgear in a second attempt to have the photo feature on his driving licence.
Mr Harris, a father of one, said: “I’m fighting for the right to have my religious headgear shown on my photo. I don’t understand why the DVLA should be able to discriminate whether my religion is valid. I have a spiritual connection with the Flying Spaghetti Monster, until they have brain probes how are they going to say I don’t.â€
He added: “Our religion is a minority but the DVLA is discriminating because it allows people who practice major religions to wear headgear in pictures.â€
Ian’s second attempt was refused by the DVLA on March 13, but he believes he has a case and referred to a fellow believer, Niko Alm, an Austrian who won the legal right to wear his headgear in a driving licence photo in 2011.
Mr Harris and his four-year-old daughter, Astri, both follow the ‘religion’ that started in the USA in 2005. It’s a protest against the teaching of creationism as an alternative to evolution in science classes.
A spokesperson for the DVLA said: “The photograph must be clear and be a current likeness to allow the police to link the driver to driving entitlement held without confusion or ambiguity. Headgear is generally not acceptable, but may be permissible on religious or medical grounds and any exemptions are dealt with on a case by case basis.â€
What headgear is permitted?
Book Theory Test Today says: “Current exemptions regarding religious wear apply to the Sikh faith and the turban and the Islamic faith and the hijab.
Mr Harris has said he will fight the DVLA until he runs out of appeals in a bid to see the colander classed as a religious garment.
He said: “When I get to the final appeal I will have to send a photo without a colander but that would be a bad day for religious freedom.â€
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