Expired driving licence

MisnerSpace

Dear All,

I know there are some very knowledgeable people on this forum so thought this would be the best place to ask.

Just found out my partner's driving licence expired 2 days ago. Her passport has also expired. I told her that she cannot drive because she won't have valid insurance and to go to the Post Office and apply for a renewal there.

My question is this:

Once she has applied for renewal (no motoring offences, clean license and no age restrictions) can she continue driving while the DVLA is processing her renewal?

Thanks for your help in advance

bluelad1927

I very much doubt it as she  will not have a valid licence until issued

GrumpyDil

Just to be clear is it the photocard that needs renewing or the actual licence due to age? 

MisnerSpace

Sorry should have made it clearer. Her photocard needs renewing as it has been 10 years.

Sand_Man_2

if it expired and then you applied, you can't drive until its replaced.

If you applied before it expired within the stated timescales for return and they are the reason for the delay, then its ok to continue to drive

EssexExile

From the .gov website:

Can I drive if my photocard driving licence has expired?

If a driver applies to DVLA to renew their photocard or their entitlement, they can continue to drive while DVLA is considering their application, providing they have not been told by their doctor or optician that they should not drive.

Car_54

She can continue to drive quite legally.

Her entitlement to drive continues until her 70th birthday. The licence has not expired, only the photocard, which she should renew ASAP.

See Road Traffic Act 1988 section 99(1(a)).

PennyPincher67

You'll have to wait till you have a new physical DL to start driving again,

MisnerSpace

Dear All,

I used the web chat and received the following information.

However did not state whether it is ok to drive while the photocard is being processed. If your renewal is being processed then are you traveling with an expired photocard licence? 



From the DVLA:

It may help if I explain that there are 2 expiry dates to consider on a photocard driving licence:

1. Section 4b, found on the front of your photocard. This is your next photocard renewal, usually a 10 year renewal with a new photograph.

2. Section 11, on the reverse of your photocard. This is the date your entitlement to drive needs to be renewed, usually the day before your 70th birthday.

You are entitled to drive until the date in Section 11, even if you need to renew your driving licence with a new photograph.

Please note: Driving in GB with an expired photocard licence is an offence which could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

The Police are responsible for the prosecution of this offence, not DVLA

MisnerSpace

Dear All,

Thanks very much for all your feedback, it is greatly appreciated.

MisnerSpace

Dear All,

There seems to be some confusion. However I believe that Essex_Exile and Car_54 are correct.

The confusion seems to be between the photo on the driving licence and the actual driving licence which allows you to drive usually until you are 70. Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act states that as long as you have a valid license and the DVLA has received your correct and completed application within the last 12 months then you can continue driving. However if the police catch you without a valid photo (photo driving licence) then they can fine you and issue points.

Anyway that's my understanding of the situation. As the act was made in 1988 they haven't updated it to reflect the 'new' photocard driving licenses?

Thanks