Driving licence renewal during COVID 19

tds

My licence expires in a couple of days and the online forms won't allow me to renew. I'm unable to speak to anyone at DVLA. Is it illegal for me to drive or am I still able to drive my car until this virus threat is over. I am an NHS community care worker and need my car for work

Car_54

If it's your photocard that is expiring (10 years) then your entitlement to drive remains.

If it has expired for any other reason (e.g. reaching 70 years of age) it does not.

[Deleted User]

If the DVLA aren't accepting applications for photocard renewals then there is not a lot you can do. I'd still carry on driving if it were me and explain to the copper if you get stopped as to the reason why it hasn't been renewed.

AdrianC

DVLA are renewing. The OP can't renew online for some reason.

I'm not sure why you need to speak to them, OP, just put a postal application through. Speaking to them is a challenge at the best of times.

AdrianC

Car_54 said:

The DVLA site seems to be working this morning - if not you can email them support@<randomscammydomain>.co.uk

WOAH! THAT'S NOT A DVLA EMAIL ADDRESS! Spam, scam, and general shysterness... Go to the website for that domain, and the header bar says in tiny letters... "This is a third party check and send service with an added service fee of £38.50, this is additional to any fees from the DVLA, which in some cases can be free. Applications can be made directly on gov.uk without any service fee."

This is the correct Contact DVLA info...
https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla/y/driving-licences-and-applications

Gocky72

My license is also up for renewal. I have been on the DVLA website and can let you know that you cannot speak to anyone by phone or by live chat or email unless you are an HGV driver or work for the NHS. Our post office is closed so I am out of options! No passport, not processing postal applications and no help online. Can I drive? I can’t afford a hefty fine!

higworth

I'm I  the same boat, my wifes and mine are due for renewal but dont have passports, my wife I  in the shielded group so we cannot go out to get a D1 or photos,  dont know what we can do about it, hopefully they will extend the same as MOT,s.

AdrianC

higworth said:

I'm I  the same boat, my wifes and mine are due for renewal but dont have passports, my wife I  in the shielded group so we cannot go out to get a D1 or photos,  dont know what we can do about it, hopefully they will extend the same as MOT,s.

You can take your own photos.
https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

But if you can't get out, then you don't need a driving licence... If you can get out, then you can get to a post office - or you can get somebody to pick you one up.

sheramber

You can continue to drive if  th eDVLA have received your application in the last 12 months and there are no reasons you should not drive
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/695575/inf188x6-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf

Chrishazle

Beginning of this week we received the notification form from DVLA that wife's licence needed renewing as her 70th birthday is in June. Went online and did the renewal without problem, new photocard arrived Friday morning! She does not have a UK passport (Irish) but used the "use existing photo" option.

ShiverMeTimbers

Gocky72 said:

My license is also up for renewal. I have been on the DVLA website and can let you know that you cannot speak to anyone by phone or by live chat or email unless you are an HGV driver or work for the NHS. Our post office is closed so I am out of options! No passport, not processing postal applications and no help online. Can I drive? I can’t afford a hefty fine!
>

Same here. Healthy 75 years old. Can't get grocery delivery slots so got to make occasional trips to shop.  Impossible to renew online at the moment or to speak/chat/email etc with DVLA. Licence expires soon. Advice please MSE 😐.