DVLA asking me to surrender license

Dreamscometrue

Hi all,

I've just received a threatening letter from the DVLA telling me that my license is over 10 years old and that I must renew it. I don't especially enjoy driving, I don't have a car and I haven't driven since 2004. I'm of working age, never had any points and I don't have any medical issues. Nobody has told me that I mustn't drive but I choose not to for now. However, I may want to drive in a few years time, who knows! I've contacted the DVLA via social media and they say that I should surrender my license. I'm concerned that if I do choose to surrender it then I may not be able to get a license in the future. I can't see anything anywhere that states that I must surrender my license if I choose not to drive. Obviously I don't use the license as it's very out of date and flung in the back of a drawer. Is the DVLA right? I'd appreciate any advice. Mayne I'm being silly and should just sent it in with a covering letter.

FindMyWayBack

just renew it

Dreamscometrue

I could renew it but that's money I don't want to spend.

MikeJXE

FindMyWayBack said:

just renew it

Agreed just renew it 

jackieblack

If it’s a photocard, then the photocard itself (rather than the license to drive) expires and has to be renewed every 10 years. If you don’t want to surrender your license then you need to renew it. 

Dreamscometrue

I've just looked at the letter. It says it's £14 so a lot less than I was thinking. Can I just use my passport photo when applying online?

facade

Just renew it, it has more uses than just being able to drive.

Nowadays if you can't prove who you are with Government Issued Photo ID (passport/driving licence) you can't even collect an order from screwfix or renew your library card.

Dreamscometrue

You're right, I'll renew it. If I do it online does it use the passport photo?

powerful_Rogue

Dreamscometrue said:

You're right, I'll renew it. If I do it online does it use the passport photo?

Yes.         

Aretnap

The law requires you to surrender the licence once the period of "administrative validity" (ie the photograph) expires - section 2A here. Failing to do so is punishable in theory by a fine of up to £1000, though in practice it is rarely prosecuted.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/99

This applies whether you drive or not. The offence is failing to surrender the licence, not driving once the licence has expired. Legally you are in exactly the same position driving with an expired photocard as you are sitting in front of your TV with an expired photocard in your pocket.

You don't *have* to pay the £14. You can choose to surrender the licence and not renew it if you prefer. But then you won't have a licence at all and will need to apply for a new one before you can drive again.

Dreamscometrue

Thanks all, I'll just renew it. Good that it will use the PP photo as saves faffing around trying to make a compliant pic.