Driving Licence updates in the news again.

Aretnap

I think the biggest gripe is that the paper licence doesn't have to be updated until your 70th birthday, whereas once you get a photocard you're stuck with paying £20 every 10 years to update the photo. That seems like a fair enough reason not to go out of your way to get a photocard if you don't need one, but in the grand scheme of things £2 a year for your driving licence is not exactly a big deal compared with, say, giving £40 or so to the treasury every time you fill your petrol tank.

mgdavid

corbyboy wrote: »

As somebody who is relatively young so only knows of the card licence, can anybody tell me why many older people are so absolutely hysterical about the idea that somebody might tell them they have to give up their paper-only licence? I have never known a piece of paper that so many people are willing to fight to the death for to protect.

cost ('rip-off tax'); I'd like a new licence and see the advantages, but I don't see why I should pay for it, it's a !!!!in' disgrace.

Marvel1

£20 every 10 years compared to a passport £80+ gets used 2/3 times (for me).

Nick_C

mgdavid wrote: »

cost ('rip-off tax'); I'd like a new licence and see the advantages, but I don't see why I should pay for it, it's a !!!!in' disgrace.

So who do you think should be paying for YOUR license?

AdrianC

mgdavid wrote: »

cost ('rip-off tax'); I'd like a new licence and see the advantages, but I don't see why I should pay for it, it's a !!!!in' disgrace.

You pay for it one way or another. The only question is whether it's an up-front charge or hidden in all the taxes you pay.

Quiet_Spark

Iceweasel wrote: »

What will the folks with the even older paper-only ones do?

Nothing until 2035, and then I'll change it for a photocard one (assuming I'm still alive by then).

Indout96

£20 every 10 years compared to a passport £80+ gets used 2/3 times (for me).

My passport is used many times each year, my photo driving licence has never seen the light of day in the UK. Not sure what I would need it for in the UK unless I am stopped by the police ?? I was stopped once back in the early 90's and had to take in in to the police station within 5 days.
I use my licence for hire cars in USA and also if they need ID when using cards BUT the old paper licence also works for both these as my wife still uses hers.

Indout96

An EU directive mandates that all licences must be in the form of a photocard
by 2033, so that's the last date by which the government can withdraw the
remaining paper licences.

Only if we are still in the EU.

AdrianC

Indout96 wrote: »

My passport is used many times each year, my photo driving licence has never seen the light of day in the UK. Not sure what I would need it for in the UK unless I am stopped by the police ??

Mine gets used semi-regularly. It's the default if ID is required - collecting packages from the PO, not least.

mgdavid

Nick_C wrote: »

So who do you think should be paying for YOUR license?

Me.
I've already paid for it, and it is valid for many years yet.