Loophole for Free photo driving licence

[N9eav]

I recently applied for my provisional bus licence. I had an old paper type and so had to complete the forms and send off a picture.
I noticed that the prices are as follows.

To exchange an old paper licence to a photo type costs £19.00

To apply for a provisional bus or lorry licence is free (providing you have already passed your car test).

So if you want to get a new driving licence to replace the old paper one. Simply apply for a provisional bus or lorry (C or D groups) and send it off for nothing. You get a new licence and a provisinal entitlement. You never have to learn in the larger vehicle if you don't want to....

[mrsw]

I also got mine free because I changed my name through marriage.

[rushnowt]

Is there a charge to change it through a house move ?

[Murtle]

nope no charge for change of address.

as copied and pasted from the DVLA website

Once we receive your valid application we will issue you with a new photocard licence and paper counterpart document free of charge.

HTH!!!!

[Hunnymonster]

Is there a charge to change it through a house move ?

Nope - I did mine via Check & send at the post office and only paid the £4 PO fee.

[Cook_County]

I have on old paper licence that expires in about 20 years time (I passed my test about 12 years ago but have never driven since).

I quite fancy a new photocard but won't I have to pay to renew it every few years?

[N9eav]

I have on old paper licence that expires in about 20 years time (I passed my test about 12 years ago but have never driven since).

I quite fancy a new photocard but won't I have to pay to renew it every few years?

A photo card licence lasts for 10 years. I have no idea if it costs to replace it due to a change in photo
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/photocard_licences.htm#11

[N9eav]

Is there a charge to change it through a house move ?

There is a legal requirement to renew your licence if you move house or change your name. A fine of up to £1000 can be imposed for not doing so.

Thsi sevice is free, and also avoids paying the £19 fee for a change in licence type.

[RussLE]

Hey...you could do what I did!!

Stress yourself out over all sorts of things until you touch a nerve and bring on some form of Epilepsy!

Then you take a years break from driving.....

and presto!!!

free licences for the rest of life! With upgrades every 3 years!!!

Not to mention the free prescriptions as well! can't go wrong!!! :rotfl:

Note! Don't do this if you drive a van...as I'm not allowed to now!!!

[murphwiz]

Great post!!!
Just thinking today, must get a photo license for ease...

[tiger]

if you have paper provisonal who will you do it? say you take your test now and pass will you pay for photo licence and for changing from provisional to full?

[HeMan]

I am going for the Epilepsy option, it sounds more value for money, hey, who knows, I may get a freedom pass out of it!!!

[Rikki]

Any changes that need to be made to your driving licence mean you have to change to a photo licence and they have to be paid for.
I had a full licence. I then took and passed my moterbike Test and to add this to my licence I had to pay for a photo licence. This was 6 years ago. I don't think it would of changed to free.

[doublekite]

I think you need to take an expensive medical to get a provisional bus licence (up to £100)

[pinkonion]

There does seem to be no fee for the licence DVLA link (http://dvla.gov.uk/drivers/applydl.htm#cost) but it does mention getting a doctor to approve your health (don't know if fee payable to doctor).

Too much hassle even if the doctor did it for nowt :)

Could it work adding motorcycle entitlement? There seems to be no fee for that and no doctors permission sought :j

[timmo44]

I got mine for free a few years ago too. Just slightly modify your address. For example I live in Catford, London. I just took out the Catford bit and said I was correcting my address. This also works for getting old points removed from your licence too. When you get your 'new address' licence back, the points are gone (after they've expired of course!)

[comperking]

Can anyone tell me what form is required to get a free photo licence?

Is it D1?

The DVLA booklet states you need a D2 for the Provisional C or D and medical report! Anyone know if this is correct?

Any other help would be appreciated due to the complex forms the DVLA seem to thrust on us!

Comperking

[Woodville]

I am a 67 year old, with a paper licence, do you think they would stand for me applying for a provisional to drive a bus or lorry? I have to change over in three years anyway, so does anyone think this will help? Cheers, Woodville.

[ambersmita]

Got burgled recently, B*@Stards nicked my purse - viola stolen driving licence and DVLA told me I would have to pay £19 to replace - so how come people who move get it free - I suppose victims of crime deserve to pay £19 every time some druggie wants to break in to your house whilst you sleep and nick your worldly belongings!!!! Its obviously our fault for not living in a mansions somewhere in Hertfordshire with its own security!!!!!

I can see what will be happening when we are subjected to ID cards!!!!!! "Burgled M'aam, they've stolen your ID Card - that will be £98 will you be paying by cash or credit card!!!"

[Rave]

Quite- and I can't see why you're all so keen to get a photo licence anyway? I'm 'entitled' to a free one since I've moved house....but I've still got the cost and hassle of getting some passport photographs taken. Bloody EU meddling in stuff that doesn't need changing just to justify their existence:mad:.

[charlotte3]

I've lost my driving licence and need to apply yfor a new one.

I am thining of going for the freebie option, and adding provisional bus driver to it.

Just to clarify, can anyone tell me if you definitely need to get a medical from your doctor to be able to add 'provisional bus driver' to your full licence? If anyone has had experience of this I'd be really grateful for your advice before I apply!

;)

[derrick]

I've lost my driving licence and need to apply yfor a new one.

I am thining of going for the freebie option, and adding provisional bus driver to it.

Just to clarify, can anyone tell me if you definitely need to get a medical from your doctor to be able to add 'provisional bus driver' to your full licence? If anyone has had experience of this I'd be really grateful for your advice before I apply!

;)
But you would need to send in your old licence, and if you have lost it you are back to square one

[Ally]

Blimey ... didn't know I could get it for free! Mr provisional license has an old address from ohhhh, 13 years ago! I was going to pay for a new one but couldn't be tooshied with the fees! Might as well get it done now!


Thanks to you all for the info!

[Ally]

But you would need to send in your old licence, and if you have lost it you are back to square one

Ditto that ... OH lost his provisional one and he had to pay for new one ... that's what put me off! sod's law ... we found old one within 24 hours of receiving new one :rolleyes:

[greyster]

I have recently passed my test. Apparently now it is free to upgrade from provisional to full but because I have an old provisional license, I must pay an £8 upgrade fee. I also need to change my address.

Can I use this loophole in my favour or do you think I will need to pay the £8?

[arkonite_babe]

Quite- and I can't see why you're all so keen to get a photo licence anyway? I'm 'entitled' to a free one since I've moved house....but I've still got the cost and hassle of getting some passport photographs taken. Bloody EU meddling in stuff that doesn't need changing just to justify their existence:mad:.

I don't understand what all the fuss is about? We've had them in Northern Ireland for years and years. Over 30 I think, no problem as far as I'm concerned, but then I've never known anything different. :confused:

[tiger]

greyster. i was exactly in same position as u and i paid £19.however dvla sent mea cheque for £10.first person to ever getany refund from dvla?

[greyster]

I think people who got a provisional license before 2002ish have to pay £8 to upgrade. People afterwards get it free.

Just cos the provisional license is more expensive now.

[Spikey]

Don't know if this has been asked but my licence got stolen and reported.

If I apply for a Lorry licence do I have to send my licenc in..? :confused:

I don't want to pay the extra money.

Spikey

[Spikey]

greyster. i was exactly in same position as u and i paid £19.however dvla sent mea cheque for £10.first person to ever getany refund from dvla?

I hope you play the lottery.... :j :rotfl: :beer: :D

[user051105]

Provisional Licenses for Class C&D require you to undergo a medical with your GP, its easier and cheaper to pay £19 if you need to or just update your address.

[GaryS]

Provisional Licenses for Class C&D require you to undergo a medical with your GP, its easier and cheaper to pay £19 if you need to or just update your address.

I can confirm the above as I have recently added these classes to my licence. AND you DO need to send in the old licence, whether it is paper or as mine was a photocard. Medical fees can vary alarmingly from GP to GP.

Just pay the £19.00.

[identitymismatch]

Are you on the wrong thread or something? :confused:

What has the EU got to do with anything here?

You have to remember that Daily Mail readers blame one of:
* The EU
* Asylum seekers / homeless / travellers
* New Labour
for most problems they perceive.

[charlotte3]

Thanks for the info! I've sent the application off and paid my £19. Would have been nice to get it for nothing, but you can't win 'em all!!

[georgesky01]

i have just moved house and discovered i have lost both my photo & paper parts of my licence and need to change my address.
what do i do and how much do i have to pay

[greyster]

i have just moved house and discovered i have lost both my photo & paper parts of my licence and need to change my address.
what do i do and how much do i have to pay

Ask your local post office for a price list. They all have it.

[us,thecat&thedebt]

I have recently passed my test. Apparently now it is free to upgrade from provisional to full but because I have an old provisional license, I must pay an £8 upgrade fee. I also need to change my address.

Can I use this loophole in my favour or do you think I will need to pay the £8?


the reason upgrading is free to those who got a provis lic after i think it was 2004 is because they included the upgrade fee in the cost of the provisional..

before 2004 ish the pro fee was like 29
now its like 38

so dont worry they aint getting something for nothing

and in answer to yr question no u have to pay the upgrade no ifs buts ect
although you can drive with just pass cert for up to 2 years
if you forget to upgrade before two years you have to take your test again lol

btw i reccomend you photocoyp yor pass cert before you send it that way if you get stopped by police for any reason you have something to produce within the 7 days as it may take longer spec if you send them a cheque...

hth :beer:

[Spikey]

Don't know if this has been asked but my licence got stolen and reported.

If I apply for a Lorry licence do I have to send my licenc in..? :confused:

I don't want to pay the extra money.

Spikey

Anybody help?

[jo_b]

Don't know if this has been asked but my licence got stolen and reported.

If I apply for a Lorry licence do I have to send my licenc in..? :confused:

I don't want to pay the extra money.

Spikey

Yes. Unfortunately, you would have to send your old licence back. Sorry! :(

[pdoff]

A photo card licence lasts for 10 years. I have no idea if it costs to replace it due to a change in photo
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/photocard_licences.htm#11
i got a photo one when i got married 5 years ago - didn't realise it only lasted 10 years. will they send a reminder to renew it like they do with car tax or will i have to remember? not much chance of that!!

have just followed link where it says they will send reminder! sorry for posting b4 reading link - i blame lack of sleep (7 week old baby & 3 yr old in the house!)

[ebony]

I got mine for free a few years ago too. Just slightly modify your address. For example I live in Catford, London. I just took out the Catford bit and said I was correcting my address. This also works for getting old points removed from your licence too. When you get your 'new address' licence back, the points are gone (after they've expired of course!)


did you need new photos?

[--Tony--]

I have recently passed my test. Apparently now it is free to upgrade from provisional to full but because I have an old provisional license, I must pay an £8 upgrade fee. I also need to change my address.

Can I use this loophole in my favour or do you think I will need to pay the £8?

Might work if you just change your address first, with some luck you will get a free new style licence. You then will have, as others have some years to change to a full licence which should then be free.

[greyster]

just reigniting an old thread but it appears the £8-9 fee for first full upgrade has been removed. It has always been free for those who got a provisional from 2004 onwards i think ... but now its FREE for everyone.

So for those who are driving around with the pass certificate and havent got a license, its safe to send it in without a fee now :P

[freaky_stuff]

im using an old thread to ask a question.

I have recently moved house and need to change the address on my drivers licence, but i have an old paper licence. Therfore i need to get a new photocard type. At the post office i was told id have to pay £21 to get it changed, but i have heard other people say it was free. Has anyone had to change theirs recently.

I know this question has been already answered in this post but that was a while ago (where people say it was free to change address), so it probably has changed.