"Before we can send you a driving licence you must return your current driving licence..."

James_Mass

Applied for over 70 driving licence renewal and I recalled that during the last one 3 year ago, they sent out renewed licence at the same time as requesting destroying the old one.

Can anyone who has applied for a renewal since we have left the EU confirm they had this request as I suspect it might be related but can't find any info on it.

AdrianC

The way in which DVLA issued licences was nothing to do with the EU, and there's been no change in legislation in the last three months.

If there have been any changes recently, they're more likely to be pandemic staffing related.

flashg67

I just got a replacement for an address change and all it said was some thing like 'I promise to return the old one' but it didn't delay getting the new one

poppasmurf_bewdley

I renewed my 'over 70' driving licence recently.

The DVLA even enclosed an envelope to return my old licence, but they forgot to put a stamp on it so it didn't get returned!

One slight query.  The British driving licence has now got rid of the loathed EU flag, but instead says UK.  Why does the driving licence say UK but my car has to say GB when I go abroad? Why aren't they both the same designation?  

oldagetraveller1

As others. Recently renewed my over 70 licence online. Still have the replaced one. If they want that send me a postage paid envelope and I will gladly return it. Yes, no EU stuff now, just UK in it's place.

It can't be that important to send the old licence, the sky hasn't fallen in, no visit from the Stasi etc..

James_Mass

I think it may have to do with me destroying my old driving licence the last time without sending it back to them so they're demanding proof this time around before sending a new one out.

Alter_ego

If you decide to send it, take a photocopy. Mistakes on vehicle classes are not uncommon.

unforeseen

poppasmurf_bewdley said:

I renewed my 'over 70' driving licence recently.

The DVLA even enclosed an envelope to return my old licence, but they forgot to put a stamp on it so it didn't get returned!

One slight query.  The British driving licence has now got rid of the loathed EU flag, but instead says UK.  Why does the driving licence say UK but my car has to say GB when I go abroad? Why aren't they both the same designation?  

Your car says GB because it was decided in 1910 before NI came into being as part of the UK.
The International Registration Letters are controlled by the UN's Geneva Convention on Road Traffic not us. It cannot be unilaterally changed by us
Licences are controlled by us so we can have UK on those

James_Mass

Mickey666 said:

James_Mass said:

I think it may have to do with me destroying my old driving licence the last time without sending it back to them so they're demanding proof this time around before sending a new one out.

I doubt they remember such things.  Anyway, you could just say you've lost it if you really don't want to send it back!

There's no need to carry driving licences in the UK anyway, so if you do have it there's no problem with sending it back before getting a new one.  Besides, the police can check your licence details anytime they need to, whether you have the physical licence or not.

Opps！I remember one of final questions on the renewal application was whether I still have the physical card to which I replied 'Yes'.

AdrianC

unforeseen said:

Your car says GB because it was decided in 1910 before NI came into being as part of the UK.

In 1910, the six counties were part of the UK. So was the rest of the island of Ireland... At that time, the name of the country was the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland".

And, yes, it's an anomaly that the country identifier for the UK is GB. Almost as strange as one country being allowed four regional teams in international sport. Or a country thinking shooting itself in the foot economically, and sabotaging freedoms for its citizens is a good thing.

Marmaduke123

James_Mass said:

I think it may have to do with me destroying my old driving licence the last time without sending it back to them so they're demanding proof this time around before sending a new one out.

I doubt that very much. Can you imagine time being spent marrying up returned licences with the correct records?
We never send ours back, we just destroy them. I've occasionally photographed a cut up one just in case.