Implications of Adding My Middle Name to Driver's Licence

skimp on 26/05/2023 - 14:14
Last edited 26/05/2023 - 14:27 by 1 other user

I'm currently in my 50s, and when I was growing up, I obtained my first bank account and driver's license using only my first and last names. Although my birth certificate and passport include a middle name, it wasn't necessary to use it at the time. Consequently, all my financial accounts, shares, superannuation, insurance, Medicare, centrelink, ATO, car registrations, and so on, have been established with just my first and last names. However, during a recent identity check at Service NSW I was informed that I must add my middle name to my driver's license to ensure it matches my passport.

Given this situation, I would like to understand the implications of adding my middle name to my driver's license. Specifically, I'm concerned about any potential problems that may arise due to inconsistencies in my name. Would welcome advice on how to proceed to reduce complications in the future. Thanks.

Automotive

Comments

  • Hybroid on 26/05/2023 - 14:20

    I'm the opposite with middle name in passport but no middle name on driving license. Never had an issue.

    It should not be an issue unless you happen to have a very very common name that could cause confusion i.e. John Smith.

    • elgrande on 26/05/2023 - 14:54
      +5

      Sounds the the opposite of the opposite..

    • EightImmortals on 26/05/2023 - 15:11
      +1

      Or a completely useless government worker who can't look at the photo on the license to confirm your identity.

      Case in point https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGUhBzSgOxw

    • lgacb08 on 28/05/2023 - 10:19

      You're not opposite, it is almost impossible to have name in passport without middle name if you do have one. DFAT will scrutinise your birth certificate to look for any ant scribble to make sure you don't forget to add middle name in the application paper. States road transport authority on the other hand has been slack on this for ages but they're tightening the process.

  • dtc on 26/05/2023 - 14:28
    +1

    I just checked my bank and share accounts and they dont have my middle name, so I dont think its going to be an issue. In fact my credit card has the shortened version of my name. As an example (not my actual name) it has Nick rather than Nicholas. They match you up through your tax file number on the whole; and insurance is for the property not for you personally (other than income and health insurance, but I guarantee there are many policies which have errors in the name or incomplete names)

  • AustriaBargain on 26/05/2023 - 14:35
    +3

    One consequence is people constantly asking you what your middle name is when confirming your ID, like at a hospital.

  • boomramada on 26/05/2023 - 14:39

    I only got middle name in my bank and birth certificate, and paypal (as paypal been a bitcha) lol

  • elgrande on 26/05/2023 - 14:55
    -1

    Can you add your middle name for their records, but then request a preferred name on your licence without it?

    • AustriaBargain on 26/05/2023 - 15:05

      If you could then I'd change my preferred name to Lachlan Murdoch to get out of speeding fines.

      • elgrande on 26/05/2023 - 15:20

        All this time I thought that was your actual name..

  • Frank Murphy on 26/05/2023 - 15:03
    +1

    Just don't use your passport for identity checks. I never do. You seem to have plenty of other options that all match anyway - ie. minus the middle name.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 26/05/2023 - 15:53

      Not to mention, if you lose your passport, it's expensive to replace, and a hassle.

      • AlienC on 27/05/2023 - 13:46
        -1

        Yep $50 per year for a document I didn't need was a stretch for me at the time to keep active so I didn't renew my passport and instead picked up a streaming service lmao lol haha.

  • KaTst3R on 26/05/2023 - 15:28

    What is someone doesnt have a passport, then what does Service NSW use to check against?

    • HardQuiz on 27/05/2023 - 09:19
      +1

      Birth certificate.

  • freefall101 on 26/05/2023 - 18:13

    I have all sorts of different things, license has initial, bank account has just my first two initials somehow, passport has full name, never a problem.

    Bank account names I doubt will matter at all, corporate bank accounts, trusts, etc are all named various things without needing to match a passport.

  • lgacb08 on 28/05/2023 - 10:26

    You can try flying under the radar as long as you can. The situation is a bit different in vic where vicroads only list initial of your middle name on the license and I never include it in any identity verification unless it fails, which I haven't seen it yet. The only one sort of service being anal about it is the refinancing application where I almost always have to include it in even if the initial check goes through without it.

  • baker bob on 29/05/2023 - 20:42
    +2

    I strongly suggest you align everything to your birth certificate. I had the most horrendous time with a property purchase due to this. It was just awful. Go to the hassle now, when there is no deadline, to get all the names aligned.

    • skimp on 01/06/2023 - 12:49

      Thanks for sharing your bad experience, I will do that.

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