Passport costs

andychelt

If they're driving abroad chances are they wont even check them anyway!

Last summer I went through Europe going through France,Belgium,Holland,Germany,Austria,Italy,Switzerland and back to France. Passports only got checked once and that was to get back in the UK! :rotfl:

Raine_E_Day

I was surprised when I read how much they cost now - mine's up for renewal next year, so at least I can start saving now, so thanks OP for putting me in the picture!

This article from last year explains how the increase has come about, with a breakdown of cost:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargains-and-rip-offs/ask-an-expert/article.html?in_article_id=508869&in_page_id=513

Enfieldian

Mine also runs out this year.

I don't have any plans to go abroad and have not done so for the last 4 years so I will not be bothering to renew it just yet.

Sooler

olias wrote: »

Yes, and that is what they will have to do, but they don't have too much time left

Well that could be their birthday/Christmas presents sorted - get on and buy the passports for them.

RadoJo

maninthestreet wrote: »

Eh? What do we pay our taxes for?

Taxes are paid to fund government services - I'm talking about the individual security processes involved in issuing a passport, especially in the current climate of increased emphasis on anti-terrorist measures. I suppose they could raise taxes by £7.50 a year per person to cover it, but you'd be paying either way.

To the OP - my post was not an attempt to 'justify' the charge. I was just pointing out that you haven't mentioned any evidence to suggest that the charges are inflated beyond the cost of administering and issuing a passport, so it's hard to make a decision on whether it's 'too much' without knowing what the actual cost actually is.

zfrl

olias wrote: »

Just as an aside, I recall it was only a few years ago that we were all told that being part of the wonderful EU, we would not require passports to move between member states. That never happened, except in the Schengen area as part of the Schengen agreement, which for some reason we were never part of.

Yes it should have been, but Thatcher decided she did not like it! When you consider the lax border controls around the rest of Europe I might have to agree with her on this point. :rotfl:

Equaliser123

lazer wrote: »

I agree - they are overpriced, effectively they are charging £75 for a 30 page notebook with your photo on it - I doubt it costs that much to make them.
And security should be paid for via taxes - the increased passport cost is just another Stealth tax.

I think you will find that a passport is a bit more than a "30 page notebook".

winnie81

I agree its expensive and I am in a camp where the tax payers shouldn't subsidise those who travel abroad. Maybe I want best of both worlds :rotfl:

Last year I had to pay for 1 adult renewal, 1 adult first and 4 kids firsts :eek::eek:

Could you/sibling chip in to the cost?

Jeff_Bridges_hair

To put it simply - You dont have one then there isnt a country in the world that will accept you even if you have a visa( i think)

As for driving accross europe as per the other poster - all it would take would be for you to get stopped and then discover you have no legal document for being in that country and your wrecked. Whole holiday done and probably a massive fine if not a bit of jail from that country.

Is all that worth £78 ? I think so

ranger1066

olias wrote: »

A driving license is free to renew, unless it's following a conviction or similar. Even updating one is only £20.

Nope, renewing a licence costs £20, i had to renew mine as it was 10 years old and it was £20.