Man who changed name to Buzz Lightyear wins driving licence battle

A Toy Story fan who changed his name to Buzz Lightyear has won a year-long battle to have the moniker put on his driving licence.

Sam Stephens, 27, named himself after the hero from his favourite childhood film by deed poll last year as part of a money-raising stunt for cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

But Mr Lightyear, from Bideford in Devon, was shocked when the DVLA said he could not get a licence because he was named after a fictional character.

After a successful appeal, he was finally given a licence with the name two weeks ago.

Mr Lightyear, an assistant manager for an electrical wholesaler, said: “The official reason given by the DVLA was that because it was a fictional character it would bring the company into disrepute if I went abroad.

"I said it wasn't their decision, it is my name by deed poll, it is not up to them to accept or reject that. There are plenty of Harry Potters in the world so they had no right to tell me I couldn't have a driving licence in this name."

A spokesman for the DVLA said: "We recognise people may choose to change their name for many reasons. The driving licence is an important official document which is used both here and abroad.

"That is why we look for a range of evidence to support the application before we update our records."