Please step out of the car sir... now put on a veil: Photo blunder on driving licence

A man was issued a provisional driving licence featuring a photo of an Asian woman in a hijab along with a different signature.

Scott Allan, 27, said he was "shocked" when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency sent him the green card with the wrong headshot, even though the correct name was next to it.

The business analyst, from Acton, applied for his licence on the internet but was told he would need to send a photo and proof of ID in the post. So he was startled to receive a licence a couple of weeks later - before he had supplied his picture and passport.

"I was surprised when I opened the envelope and found a driving licence. I had not completed the application process, he said. "That turned to disbelief when I looked closer and saw the face of an unknown woman staring back at me beside my name, address and date of birth.

"There is no resemblance between us whatsoever. I am a white male, with a beard and short hair. The photograph is of an Asian woman in an hijab. It's laughable. I am astounded that the DVLA could make such a massive mistake."

He added: "There is a funny side to it but a more serious one too. Driving licences are widely accepted as proof of identification and if the wrong ID gets into the wrong hands it could have serious consequences."

Mr Allan said that when he phoned the DVLA to complain they failed at first to acknowledge there was a problem.

"It was only when I told them to take a closer look at the details on their screen that they admitted there had been a mistake," he said. "They apologised and asked me to send it back, but offered no explanation."

A spokesman for the DVLA said: "Mistakes like this are very rare and we are extremely sorry for any distress caused. This was an isolated incident and we are urgently looking at what happened to make sure lessons are learned."