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Renewal of driving licence

I’m now having to renew my driving licence and went in line to do just that. However, when it gets to the point that you put your passport details in it comes up with unable to proceed need a new photo. My passport was renewed last year so the photo on my passport was more than adequate. But since the new passports are rolling out, the passport office are not communicating with the DVLA. Hence I have to either post it or go the post office, which will cost me more money. When you push it you gave to send a cheque or postal order. Who has a cheque book these days, I certainly don’t. Since I have to go the post office to get a postal order I might as well get the driving licence done there, which is £21.00. I’m absolutely fuming. I have a valid passport but they are unable to use it for my photo ID. So I now have to find the time, which k gave very little off, to go the city centre, pay for parking, pay extra to renew my driving licence. Not at all happy. 

Comments

  • Car_54
    Car_54 Posts: 8,667 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Why not ask your bank for a cheque book? No cost, just takes a few days.
  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,766 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I have 2 cheque books from different banks.  And a new book full of cheques arrived in the post last week, so they are still issuing them.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • JGB1955
    JGB1955 Posts: 3,729 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I have cheque books for both my NatWest and Nationwide accounts.  They're rarely used, but still useful on occasions.
    #2 Saving for Christmas 2024 - £1 a day challenge. £325 of £366
  • Goudy
    Goudy Posts: 1,980 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 30 March 2023 at 6:31AM
    I had a similar problem when I renewed my licence last week.
    When it came to putting my passport details in it kept failing with a "unable to proceed" notice.

    I put all my passport details in again and triple checked them and it still failed.

    Turned out I was being lazy and didn't enter my middle name into the correct box, once I did it went through.
    Seems it won't accept anything but a complete match to your passport, all you names, place of birth and so on.

    Renewed online on a Monday and the new licence came on the Thursday, which I thought was rather quick.
  • facade
    facade Posts: 7,366 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 30 March 2023 at 7:36AM
    Postal orders cost 12.5% over the value, so the £17 renewal fee becomes £19.13.  Then there is a stamp, 75p, or £1.10, so postal renewal is £19.88/£ 20.23. (and then you needed a photo....)

    So you are right, if you can't renew online (for £14) it is only a few pence more to renew at the Post Office, and that includes the photo!




    I want to go back to The Olden Days, when every single thing that I can think of was better.....

    (except air quality and Medical Science ;))
  • Grey_Critic
    Grey_Critic Posts: 1,354 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    They have been using my old passport pic for several years even though I have renewed it a long time ago.

    Cheque Books - have a couple and use them whenever I can - Use them or Lose them springs to mind. I also pay cash on a regular basis. Works wonders in supermarkets when the systems go down.

    People need to remember that just because you find something inconvenient for others these so called out-dated practices are a lifeline for others.Not all disabilities are visible
  • I went online over the weekend to renew, should be very straightforward, I have a new (less than 1 year old) UK passport. It refused it, so I tried again a couple of times then gave up. Monday morning I tried again, it failed, so I waited in line for a chat bot to put me through to an advisor. They asked me if I had a valid UK passport, I said yes and I'd given all details in the online application. They then asked if all info I'd given was the exact same as on the passport. Again, answer was yes. Then they asked "On your passport, is your signature printed or did you sign it yourself?", so I checked and on my new UK passport I'd had to sign it upon receipt.
    The advisor then said "I see, we are aware that passports issued since 8th October 2016 no longer require an electronic signature, as you are now required to sign your Passport upon receipt. When submitting the driving licence application online you are required to enter your valid UK Passport number. We then attempt to retrieve both your photograph and signature from the Passport Office. As we have been unable to retrieve an electronic copy of your signature, you will need to apply by post or at the Post Office on this occasion. You can apply by post using a D1 application form."
    I am absolutely furious - this should be made clear to people who have renewed their UK passport in the last 7 years that renewing online isn't possible for them BEFORE YOU START FILLING OUT THE ONLINE FORM.

  • Barkin
    Barkin Posts: 643 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    I renewed my passport last year, and my driving licence a few weeks ago. 
    All done online with no issues, and the new licence dropped through my letterbox about a week later. 
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