Forced to renew Driving License?

Gloomendoom

Was the paper licence ever free?

Financallychallenged

So.....do I understand this, I must renew a picture licence every ten years, even if I do not need it, or drive a car.
How do I avoid renewing the licence and notify DVLA that I shall not be driving but retain the right to do so?

Richard53

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Was the paper licence ever free?

I got my licence in 1971, and I don't remember paying anything for it. There was a small charge for the provisional licence, but changing it for a full licence, adding vehicle classes, changes of address etc were all free of charge as far as I remember. It was even possible to get a new 'clean' licence after endorsements/points had expired by just sending it in for a new one, and that was certainly free, as I did it.

Even if there was a one-off charge at the start, my point was that we have replaced something that was 'free for life' with something that just happens to need replacing every 10 years, and of course there are fees attached. As far as I can see, no-one benefits except the Treasury. In other words, a tax in all but name.

I'm keeping my 'free' paper licence until they prise it from my cold, dead hands

Strider590

Richard53 wrote: »

I'm keeping my 'free' paper licence until they prise it from my cold, dead hands

Or until you move house
Because having the wrong details on your license is an offence punishable under law.

mcfisco

Financallychallenged wrote: »

So.....do I understand this, I must renew a picture licence every ten years, even if I do not need it, or drive a car.
How do I avoid renewing the licence and notify DVLA that I shall not be driving but retain the right to do so?

Do nothing, you'll be fine

When and if you have the need for a licence again apply for it and either trust the DVLA will have records of when you passed any tests or send them copies of the pass certificates.
They have previous for losing your old licence along with the relevant test details.

Wywth

Richard53 wrote: »

I got my licence in 1971, and I don't remember paying anything for it. There was a small charge for the provisional licence, but changing it for a full licence, adding vehicle classes, changes of address etc were all free of charge as far as I remember. It was even possible to get a new 'clean' licence after endorsements/points had expired by just sending it in for a new one, and that was certainly free, as I did it.

Even if there was a one-off charge at the start, my point was that we have replaced something that was 'free for life' with something that just happens to need replacing every 10 years, and of course there are fees attached. As far as I can see, no-one benefits except the Treasury. In other words, a tax in all but name.

I'm keeping my 'free' paper licence until they prise it from my cold, dead hands

In 1971, you would have been issued with a red book style driving licence. I believe these were valid for just 3 years and I think there was a charge to renew them.

The driving licence valid until you are 70 was not introduced until 1976

Wywth

mcfisco wrote: »

Do nothing, you'll be fined

I corrected your post for you

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Strider590 wrote: »

Or until you move house
Because having the wrong details on your license is an offence punishable under law.

its not LAW its an act part of legislation.

as long as the address on your license is an address that you can be contacted at then its not breaking any legislation at all.

Gloomendoom

Richard53 wrote: »

I got my licence in 1971, and I don't remember paying anything for it. There was a small charge for the provisional licence, but changing it for a full licence, adding vehicle classes, changes of address etc were all free of charge as far as I remember. It was even possible to get a new 'clean' licence after endorsements/points had expired by just sending it in for a new one, and that was certainly free, as I did it.

Even if there was a one-off charge at the start, my point was that we have replaced something that was 'free for life' with something that just happens to need replacing every 10 years, and of course there are fees attached. As far as I can see, no-one benefits except the Treasury. In other words, a tax in all but name.

Your 1971 driving licence wasn't 'free for life'. I only lasted three years and would have cost you £1. When you renewed it in 1974 for another three years, it would cost you another £1.

To put the value of that 1971 £1 into perspective, it would have bought you eight pints of beer. Eight pints at the 2013 average price would have cost you £22.40.
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mcfisco

Originally Posted by mcfisco
Do nothing, you'll be fined

Wywth wrote: »

I corrected your post for you

You won't be fined for not renewing your licence as long as you don't drive, which is what the poster asked about.