Is my licence valid?

tshrbhag

I'm from India and I've spent a few years in England, then came back to India for the last 3 years. My UK licence has expired 2 months ago.

I'm wondering if my original licence from India will be valid to drive a hire car in England as I remember, when I originally came to England in 2003, it was only valid for the first 6 months.

Things have changed as I've since acquired my British nationality and a UK licence.

Once might say contact the DLVA, but i'm flying to London early on Monday and the DVLA is closed until then.

Appreciate it if someone could throw some light on my question.

Thanks
T

Car_54

Do you have a full UK licence, or just a provisional? I don't understand why it has expired, they're usually valid until you're 70.

If you've been away from the UK for 3 years than I think your Indian licence should be ok for 12 months, but best check with the DVLA. There's not much you can do before Monday in any event.

HappyMJ

It's valid for 6 months since the last time you arrive back in the UK so if you are in India now and have done so for a while then you can drive on your Indian licence in the UK. You have 6 months to change it to a UK licence.

matttye

Car_54 wrote: »

Do you have a full UK licence, or just a provisional? I don't understand why it has expired, they're usually valid until you're 70.

If you've been away from the UK for 3 years than I think your Indian licence should be ok for 12 months, but best check with the DVLA. There's not much you can do before Monday in any event.

There's a "licence valid to" date on my driving licence of 29/09/15 and I'm only 26.

forgotmyname

Is that the photocard portion or a single category on the licence?

tshrbhag

Underneath my photo, it says July 14. 4b. says 27-07-2014.

Part B at the back says 20-12-06 to xx-xx-48

Not giving the XX as it will reveal my birthdate.

I guess I can simply renew it online as soon as I land because I have a valid British passport.

matttye

forgotmyname wrote: »

Is that the photocard portion or a single category on the licence?

Photocard portion. Ahh yes, the bit on the back has the date of my 70th birthday.

So what does the bit on the front mean, that I have to get a replacement licence by that date, presumably with an updated photo?

AdrianC

The photocard has expired. Your right to drive hasn't, but a hire company will probably insist on both being valid.

Aretnap

matttye wrote: »

Photocard portion. Ahh yes, the bit on the back has the date of my 70th birthday.

So what does the bit on the front mean, that I have to get a replacement licence by that date, presumably with an updated photo?

Yes - you have to update the photocard by that date. Failure to do so is similar to not updating your licence when you change address - an offence certainly, but not one which affects your entitlement to drive.

tshrbhag

Just an update. The hire companies denied me a rental anyway after landing back.