Forum Topic

Driving Licence

Mine expires in early June this year.  Do I have to apply for renewal or will I be advised by the DVLA?

Jennifer Selig ● 2437d27 Comments

I my experience,the DVLA contacts you.

Karen Foster ● 2437d

Typo ....In my experience!

Karen Foster ● 2437d

DVLA web site states - You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years - you’ll receive a reminder before your current licence ends' You can renew online if you have a passport - but be aware there are sites that are commercial operations masquerading as DVLA and will charge a large fee for their service.

Geoffrey Dickinson ● 2437d

I still have my original old green paper licence without the photo business.. runs out in 2024.And as I do not have a passport, I am stuffed at times when it comes to trying to prove my identity.

Delilah Hall ● 2437d

Once you reach 70, you must renew every 3 years.You can change the licence photo at the same time as renewing your licence.Your licence should arrive within one week if you apply online.

Bernard Allen ● 2437d

I could have kept my old green licence as I haven't moved for 33 years, but decided to 'upgrade' to a photo one as it is useful for ID.

Susan Kelly ● 2437d

"You can change the licence photo at the same time as renewing your licence."  Can or MUST?  Also presume that whatever my age the DVLA will contact me about renewal? 

Jennifer Selig ● 2437d

I still have my original old green paper licence without the photo business.. runs out in 2024.And as I do not have a passport, I am stuffed at times when it comes to trying to prove my identity.I have a friend with the same, and he is having no end of trouble trying to claim his pension, as he cannot prove to the Government who he is.

Bernard Allen ● 2437d

The DVLA made me change mine as the photo was over 10 years old.

Bernard Allen ● 2437d

Oh hell... I am hoping I might get my OAP pension in August this year (although I won't hold my breath as they keep pushing the date onwards)If I have to prove who I am... I was hoping they might just send it or add it to my husband's. 

Delilah Hall ● 2437d

My licence recently came up for renewal and I received notification in post. You can swap paper licence for photocard very easily onlinehttps://motoring.dvla.gov.uk/service/DvoConsumer.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PTP&_nfls=false

Sean Wales ● 2437d

You don’t need photo ID to get your pension as it’s all done via your National Insurance number.

Vivienne Cox ● 2436d

Like you Susan we haven't moved for 33 years.I have still have the paper (pink in my case) licence.My wife has the photo version but I have saved myself a fortune (well about £30) as the paper ones don't need renewing every 10 years.

Will Watson ● 2436d

There was a time (I suppose 10 years after the photo ones were introduced) when there were announcements in the press that there were many people driving with licences out of date.

Philippa Bond ● 2436d

You must be able to claim your state pension without a driving licence - of whichever kind - as there are, believe it or not, thousands of people who have never driven and don't own one.

Micki Hawkes ● 2436d

We had a lot of problems getting the right info together for a blue badge for FIL who was blind and didn't have any photo ID.  In the end we applied for a passport for ID although he hadn't been abroad for thirty years and had no intention of going abroad again.  As he was registered blind he obviously did not have a driving licence!  This tick box attitude to some things is absolutely awful.  It was hard enough timing it right so that any bills eg Council Tax weren't too old to be used.  I understand that you can ask the utility companies to provide a paper bill.

Philippa Bond ● 2436d

If only we had made the sensible decision to complete the introduction of ID cards some years ago.Most other countries seem to have them and they make life much simpler.Shortsighted Tory crowd pleasing.

Will Watson ● 2435d

How do I claim Basic State Pension?Basic State Pension is money paid to people who reached state pension age before 6 April 2016. Provide documentsYou may need to provide these when you claim:    • Your national insurance number (and partner's, if you have one)     • Proof of your identity (for example your passport, birth certificate or driving licence)     • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate     • Divorce certificate or civil partnership dissolution certificate.     • Details of your employment https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Basic-State-Pension/How-do-I-claim-Basic-State-PensionNew State Pension - How do I claim New State Pension?New State Pension is money paid to people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. Provide documentsYou may need to provide these when you claim:    • Your national insurance number (and partner's, if you have one)     • Proof of your identity (for example your passport, birth certificate or driving licence)     • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate     • Divorce certificate or civil partnership dissolution certificate.     • Details of your employment https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/New-State-Pension/How-do-I-claim-New-State-Pension

Bernard Allen ● 2435d

You may be right, Will. It may have been pink. I was a tad annoyed to discover to discover that my shiny new plastic licence was valid only for ten years.

Susan Kelly ● 2435d

If you have a pink licence it probably means you lost a green one and had to apply for a replacement, which is pink - at least that's how it was for me!

Barbara Robinson ● 2435d

"If you have a pink licence it probably means you lost a green one"A green licence holder may have needed to replace the licence for reasons other than loss.- damaged licence- change of name- change of address- getting points- removing points- adding a new category of vehicle (e,g, motorbike, bus, lorry)

Robin Cox ● 2435d

Yes I think it turned pink when I moved to Chiswick.

Will Watson ● 2435d

I know that people at 70 have to apply for a new licence which means that the green paper licences were replaced with a ‘credit card’ photo licence.Can anyone confirm that thereafter a new application has to be sent every 3 years.  I was also told that at some point a letter from your GP is needed certifying that you are deemed fit to drive.  Is that right?

Elizabeth Ross ● 2433d

From www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70 :"Once you reach 70, you must renew every 3 years."As far as I know, a letter from your GP would only be needed if a medical condition had stopped you from driving, and if DVLA needed evidence that you were fit to drive again. My GP has not been involved in any of the licence renewals  since my 70th birthday.

Richard Jennings ● 2433d

I had a medical condition that needed checking out with my GP .. it was only a matter of making an appointment; going there; and being checked out ... and being prepared to fight my corner if need be: a small price to pay for mobility, safety for others, and my personal freedom !

John A Hammond ● 2433d

maybe the solution is to get a passport.. they are great for all ID purposes-  Even the Post Office accepts....

John A Hammond ● 2433d

Mine expires end of May. I had a postal reminder last week and renewed online (can be done by post) yesterday. The current photo is accepted as only 3 years old. NI number sufficient to confirm ID, don't need a passport. If there are no health issues and eyesight meets the standards it should be straightforward. Takes up to 2 weeks to receive licence renewed online, up to 3 weeks if done by post.You also have to cut up "old" licence and send to DVLA as it's apparently illegal to hold 2 licences!

Dilys Jones ● 2433d