Lost driving licence

Car_54

Grey_Critic said:

Just renewed my licence and it states in the documentation that you should cut your old licence in two and return it.

The documentation does say you may continue to drive whilst awaiting the new licence so there should be no problem. It also states that should you find the old/lost licence it should be returned. Perfectly straight forward as others have said it is against the law to be in possesion of two.

Which law might that be?

LeeUK2

What if you do lose your licence, send off for a new one, then find your old one later. Should you be sent straight off to jail?

SweetCitizen88

I recently rode a motorcycle from Edinburgh to Algeria, and before leaving back home, I discovered that my bag with everything, my passport, driver’s license, bank cards was missing. I scoured all the local message board forums and came across the Lossy&Foundy service, which the locals suggested to me. ohh God I almost sat there, thank God all the documents were found!

Mgman1965

Had to send my licence to the DVLA as had been a bad boy.

5 months later, and 4 months before renewal due,  I realised I'd never had it back (lost in the post I assume) so applied for my renewal saying old one couldn't be returned as lost.

3 weeks later, new licence arrived no problem. 

Arunmor

I renewed my licence (via Post Office* as online kept rejecting me) had the new one within a week, was very impressed.

*Finding a PO that does it can be a pain as only big ones do it

Kim_13

Arunmor said:

I renewed my licence (via Post Office* as online kept rejecting me) had the new one within a week, was very impressed.

*Finding a PO that does it can be a pain as only big ones do it

I renewed mine at the PO last time, but will have a problem next time as it seems they no longer do it, so even being a bigger PO is not a guarantee now. They will not allow you to keep the original and return the old once the new arrives, though, as the online procedure allows - I asked to be able to do this as I was still regularly being asked for ID, but had no other ID as I don’t have a passport.

If it is a medical renewal it will take longer so anyone in that position is probably best advised to apply for a Section 88 confirmation straight away even if you don’t think you’ll need one (these can solve issues with employers and insurers that could otherwise be very serious for the driver who hasn’t done anything wrong.) Unless you can say lost and hire a car with the original - doubtful, if they are immediately cancelled - it’d be the best chance there too.

It is surprising to still see photos of the licence and even the licence itself being asked for when a check code gives them all of the same information, but the companies must be worried about being fined for not taking a belt and braces approach.

Arunmor

Kim_13 said:

Arunmor said:

I renewed my licence (via Post Office* as online kept rejecting me) had the new one within a week, was very impressed.

*Finding a PO that does it can be a pain as only big ones do it

I renewed mine at the PO last time, but will have a problem next time as it seems they no longer do it, so even being a bigger PO is not a guarantee now. They will not allow you to keep the original and return the old once the new arrives, though, as the online procedure allows - I asked to be able to do this as I was still regularly being asked for ID, but had no other ID as I don’t have a passport.

If it is a medical renewal it will take longer so anyone in that position is probably best advised to apply for a Section 88 confirmation straight away even if you don’t think you’ll need one (these can solve issues with employers and insurers that could otherwise be very serious for the driver who hasn’t done anything wrong.) Unless you can say lost and hire a car with the original - doubtful, if they are immediately cancelled - it’d be the best chance there too.

It is surprising to still see photos of the licence and even the licence itself being asked for when a check code gives them all of the same information, but the companies must be worried about being fined for not taking a belt and braces approach.

Folk might find this page useful, it will give you your nearest PO that can do it.  They also take your photo.

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/renew-driving-licence