D1 entitlement with licence renewal over 70

Richard53

I'll be 70 in a couple of months and have renewed my driving licence accordingly. I'm retired, but still doing p/t work for my old employer, some of which involves driving a 16-seat minibus. I've decided not to renew the D1 category and my new licence does not have it. DVLA instruction is to cut in half and return the old licence, but I haven't done this yet.

My question is - can I continue to drive the minibus until my 70th birthday (which is what my original licence would have allowed if I had not renewed it) or does the new licence supersede the old one and I must stop? (I'm thinking of the situation with a failed MoT, where the original is valid - with usual roadworthiness caveats - until it expires.) I've searched the .gov website, but can't find the answer. I need to let my employer know.

Mildly_Miffed

The entitlement stops on the day before your 70th birthday, if you look at the dates on your licence or on https://www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk/driving-record/licence-number

You can drive D1 vehicles up to midnight on that date.
You cannot drive D1 vehicles on or after your actual birthday.

Richard53

The old licence gave me D1 up to my birthday, but the category has been removed from my new licence. My question was does the old category apply until the expiry date of the licence, or does the new licence supersede?

Thanks for the reminder to check that page - I had forgotten about that. The D1 has disappeared from the list, and all remaining categories expire in 2026, so I assume that as far as DVLA are concerned I am no longer entitled. In other words (for anyone else this applies to) the entitlement disappears on actual renewal of the licence, not on the 'old' expiry date.

It's no big deal, just need to give a straight story to my employer.  Cheers.

Rodders53

As you have correctly worked out the new Licence replaces the old.

In your shoes I'd have asked the employer if they were willing to pay for the medical etc.,. to keep the entitlements, and your ability to work for them.  Not too late for that as I believe you can regain the rights.
https://ctauk.org/cta-advice-service/faq/drivers-over-70/

Richard53

To be honest, my employer would have paid for the medical report, but it seemed like a lot of hassle (pay first, claim back later, triennial medicals etc) and no particular benefit to me. I don't need a D1 in my private life, so I was happy to let it slide. I'll bookmark that link *just in case*, though.

Car_54

As the first reply tells you, your entitlement lasts until the day before your birthday, unless it has been “revoked, suspended or surrendered”, which doesn’t appear to be the case. See Road Traffic Act 1988, section 99(1(a)).

Richard53

OK, thank you.