Lost driving licence

michbright

I have just discovered that not only have I lost both parts of my driving licence but my photo also needs to be renewed! I know this because I tried to order a replacement online and got a message saying I couldn't because my passport is more than 5 years old and my photo needs to be updated.

I do not remember receiving a renewal notice for my licence and I've lived here for 5.5 years.

How do I go about applying for a new licence and how quickly would it arrive? I am going abroad in just over 3 weeks time and have already booked car hire, hence the frantic searching for my drivers licence!

Sgt_Pepper_2

You don't get a notice, its up to you to keep a check on things.

paddedjohn

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

You don't get a notice, its up to you to keep a check on things.

I got a notice but maybe that was because id left it 2 years and I also needed to get a medical to keep my hgv entitlement

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

You don't get a notice, its up to you to keep a check on things.

you do get a notice of PHOTO expirery as long as you detail are correct on their system if you have ever moved always change it with DVLA.

but thats not to say you should rely solely upon them contacting you.

if you ever lose both parts of your license, always buy a new one asap people just leave it then when they get a tug by police or points they panick because they either cant produce or cant send the license off.

michbright

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

you do get a notice of PHOTO expirery as long as you detail are correct on their system if you have ever moved always change it with DVLA.

but thats not to say you should rely solely upon them contacting you.

if you ever lose both parts of your license, always buy a new one asap people just leave it then when they get a tug by police or points they panick because they either cant produce or cant send the license off.

Thanks for this. My husband got a notice of his last year and I remember commenting that I would get one this year because it's 10 years this year since I got my photo licence.

Anyway, as I have only just discovered that both are missing, I will be getting it replaced ASAP. In the case of it just being a lost licence, I know it's a simple process to replace it. But having both lost it and the fact that it needs renewing, I'm now not sure what I need to do.

On the DVLA website it says to take your renewal reminder into the Post Office and they can help you there. Problem is, I neither have a renewal notice nor a driving licence. Do I need to go to the local DVLA office in that case?

Thanks!

Sgt_Pepper_2

Can you not download a renewal notice.

michbright

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

Can you not download a renewal notice.

Hi,

I have done some further research and found that I can renew using form D1 at the Post Office but I have to send my passport in to verify my identity. As I will need it within 4 weeks, that is not advisable, so I'm very stuck as to what I can now do! I feel like such an idiot for not noticing this sooner!

Will have to call them in the morning to see what can be don.

paddedjohn

Get the form from the post office, fill it in and send it off with payment and your new photo.

Yolina

michbright wrote: »

but I have to send my passport in to verify my identity. As I will need it within 4 weeks, that is not advisable, so I'm very stuck as to what I can now do!

When you call the DVLA, ask them to tell you which ones of their offices is able to check your passport on-site - they won't issue your licence there (the paperwork still needs to be sent off) but at least your passport stays with you

I have a non-UK passport, so they obviously can't link into the database to verify my ID and there is absolutely no way that I am sending my passport anywhere. So for me, it's a trip to the DVLA office at the other end of London. A bit of a PITA but I'd rather waste a few hours rather than risk my passport getting lost

Gloomendoom

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

You don't get a notice, its up to you to keep a check on things.

I did. About a month before the old photo expired.

If you have lost your old licence, you just tick the appropriate box on the form. It's that easy.

michbright

Thanks for all your advice.

I went to the Post Office on Wednesday and filled in the D1 form, ticked the boxes to say it was lost and needed to be renewed, had photos taken and paid extra to have it sent Special Delivery. I didn't have to send my passport in because it's a digital passport so they can check the info on the IPS database.

Then, you'll never believe what landed through my letter box on Saturday morning - my RENEWAL REMINDER dated Wednesday! I could have done it so easily on Saturday morning at the Post Office that deals with driving licence renewals. Incidentally, my photo card only expires in January.

Anyway, with just over 2 weeks to go until I go away on holiday, let's hope I get my new licence soon, otherwise my wonderful DH will have to do all the driving (one trip is 17 hours).

Thanks, again, for all your helpful advice.