Check your driving licence discussion

Wig

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

For the record, I've just advised my new address AND changed my old paper licence for a new photo ID one online.

As I already have a new style passport, they could use its photograph and I didn't have to get a new one, get it countersigned, etc. etc. The only potential disadvantage of this is that the photograph will expire sooner than a new one.

As an aside, I noted that a "minister of religion" is an acceptable countersignatory. As a fully paid up, certified and ordained minister of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, can I now do this?

Anyway, the DVLA and Direct.gov websites - both modern day successors to Dickens' Circumlocution Office - led me to believe that this would cost me £20. However, the system took the application without asking me for any payment.

I haven't received my new licence yet, but they haven't contacted me asking for £20 either. I'll try to remember to keep you posted.

You were not charged because you had an old licence and were changing address at the same time, there is no charge in this scenario. However, I believe once you have a photo licence you cannot do the same at photo renewal time.

I also think your photo will still be valid for 10 years even though your passport is a bit old.

To Oswjapan,
Go to your local DVLA office with your passport.

allthatmularky
You should have started a new thread, but I would say their licence is invalid/expired and they should phone DVLA. They could have the car seized by police, insurance could be invalidated aswell, just think all those years paying for insurance which would never have paid out if there was to be a claim....they would pay out to the third party though.

Molly1965

If your photo license has run out (2 years ago!) do you loose your licence?? I was told you would need to retake your test, is this correct?

wealdroam

Molly1965 wrote: »

If your photo license has run out (2 years ago!) do you loose your licence?? I was told you would need to retake your test, is this correct?

The only thing that has expired is the photo.

You still have a licence to drive.

No need to retake your test... just renew your photo in due course.

This DirectGov webpage might help.

thenudeone

allthatmularky wrote: »

However, they claim not to have a photo licence or been sent any reminders by the DVLA at 70 nor for the 3 year periods since. I'm just a little concerned that they are driving without a valid licence.

They probably are. Unlike the photo renewal, when a licence expires at age 70 it properly expires. You no longer have entitlement to drive until you get a licence.

allthatmularky wrote: »

This worry is compounded by the fact that they would be uninsured

That's possible.
But it's common for policies to state that the driver 'must hold or has held a licence and is not disqualified from holding a licence..'. In which case the insurance would still apply;
BUT the person must have lied when the insurance was taken out (by stating they had a licence. They don't) so the insurers could use that to void the policy if it ever came to a claim.

nightfrogs

Hi, thanks for all the tips on this amazing site!

I have been a UK resident since 1998, previously living in France.
My driving license was issued in France in 1997 and i am still using it...
I had to obtain a UK counterpart license following a speeding fine in 2007 but have never applied for a UK license, let alone a photo-ID.

Should i apply for a UK license or am i able to carry-on using my current EU (paper) license?

Thank you!

silvasava

DH has a class 1 licence that he has to renew every year (Medical costs £100 ) because of his age. Out of curiosity I checked his licence & guess what - his motorcycle entitlement is no longer there. We think it was probably omitted when he changed to photocard. Any ideas on how to get it back???
I still have a (clean ) paper licence that is valid & I have no intention of changing it until I really have to

Rolandtheroadie

Will an employer perhaps have a photocopy of his licence with the motorbike entitlement on it?

sarahg1969

Just dredging this one up again, because I recalled that someone mentioned there would or could be problems when hiring a vehicle with an expired photocard. Both my husband and I have hired vehicles from Enterprise over the last month, and both of our photocards are expired. There was no problem at all.

inicholson

SMAC wrote: »

I have hired a car in the USA each year for the last 6 years using the old style paper licence with no problems. I have never been asked for an International Driving Permit.
Are the DVLA and the AA hoping to scare up some extra customers with the help of Moneysavingexpert?:eek:

As far as I can see, that's exactly what it is. There is no requirement to have an IDP to drive in the US - I've collected prebooked hire cars at airports without one, hired a car from a local office and used my licence as ID to buy alcohol. I've never been asked for an IDP. Looking at the picture of the IDP on the AA's website I might as well print one myself rather than pay them for it!

rotund

MoneySavingExpert Insert May 16:

Is your Driving Licence valid? Check our Is your Driving Licence valid? guide to see.

Back to rotund's original post...

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If the photo license expires can you still drive with the paper license??