DVLA and paper licences

Spivved1987

user1977 said:

Presumably for this offence to be prosecuted the police would have come to your door, proving that they weren't confused by the postcode...?

Good thinking!

SiliconChip

Spivved1987 said:

Mildly_Miffed said:

Aha. Something just stirred in my memory...

This is the Wirral, isn't it? Liverpool to CHester...

Back in 1999, Royal Mail had this to say... "However, to cause as little inconvenience and expense as possible, we will programme our sorting programme to read both old and new postcodes for at least 12 months from that date and possibly longer, if required."
https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7433189.why-we-are-changing-postcodes-royal-mail/

The old L41-66 postcode areas haven't been reissued (yet?), so the postcodes are simply invalid, rather than actively taking post to the wrong place. But post sent to an L postcode would be routed to the wrong sorting office, in Liverpool, rather than the correct one in Chester, so it will be delayed.

Bingo! Excellent detective work.

But you misled us by saying:

"

(1) Paper licence address: 

123 Anytown Road

Any County

UK

X55 4AG

and 

(2) Current postal address:

123 Anytown Road

Any County

UK

Y55 4AG"

whereas in fact the current postal address has a postcode of YZ55 4AG, so if @Mildly_Miffed hadn't just decided to ignore what you said we'd still be floundering looking for a postcode where only the initial letter had been changed, which doesn't exist.

Spivved1987

SiliconChip said:

Spivved1987 said:

Mildly_Miffed said:

Aha. Something just stirred in my memory...

This is the Wirral, isn't it? Liverpool to CHester...

Back in 1999, Royal Mail had this to say... "However, to cause as little inconvenience and expense as possible, we will programme our sorting programme to read both old and new postcodes for at least 12 months from that date and possibly longer, if required."
https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7433189.why-we-are-changing-postcodes-royal-mail/

The old L41-66 postcode areas haven't been reissued (yet?), so the postcodes are simply invalid, rather than actively taking post to the wrong place. But post sent to an L postcode would be routed to the wrong sorting office, in Liverpool, rather than the correct one in Chester, so it will be delayed.

Bingo! Excellent detective work.

But you misled us by saying:

"

(1) Paper licence address: 

123 Anytown Road

Any County

UK

X55 4AG

and 

(2) Current postal address:

123 Anytown Road

Any County

UK

Y55 4AG"

whereas in fact the current postal address has a postcode of YZ55 4AG, so if @Mildly_Miffed hadn't just decided to ignore what you said we'd still be floundering looking for a postcode where only the initial letter had been changed, which doesn't exist.

I deliberately did it that way so people couldn't seize on that aspect (and miss the larger point) QED.

Okell

@Spivved1987 -  so when you check your licence online does it show the correct (new) post code or the incorrect (old) post code?

Spivved1987

Okell said:

@Spivved1987 -  so when you check your licence online does it show the correct (new) post code or the incorrect (old) post code?

I didn't know I could do this! Oddly enough, the instructions told me that I would need (1) My driving licence number (2) My NI Number (3) The postcode on my licence

However, when I entered the old postcode it told me it did not compute; it was perfectly happy when I put in my 'new' postcode. The Driving Licence details on screen had the new postcode. So I assume back in the day Royal Mail and DVLA between themselves must have done some sort of mass conversion. I certainly never informed them because it would never have occurred to me to do so.

I shall take some satisfaction in telling my informant (who lives in the same postcode) that she had no need to fork out twenty quid, or whatever the cost is.

EnPointe

Baldytyke88 said:

Spivved1987 said:

We have lived in the same house for many years so have not changed our paper licences. My friend says it is illegal to keep paper licences if your address has changed (which obviously I knew) even if the only change is the postcode. Many years ago the Post Office changed the first letters in the postcode for this address, although the digits remained the same. So I have been in breach of the law for about 25 years.

True or Tripe?

PS All V5s, VED reminders etc have been sent to this address using the updated postcode.

I got my plastic card licence at the earliest opportunity. What is your reasoning for avoiding the upgrade?

It's much more convenient to have another form of ID.

exactly , i had to change ot photocard  fairly soon after it came out as   the University Course i was doing  required  our Driving licence to be  the correct address we'd  claim (excess)  mileage from for placement 

chrisw

I've still got a paper licence and I like having it. It feels like being part of an ever diminishing group and saves worrying and having to pay for renewal.
I've never had an issue with it, they usually prefer a photo card when you hire a car but they can usually be persuaded.

molerat

Only got rid of mine last year when big brother said I had to, had it since 1990 and I liked the old post code on it.  The letter came addressed to the new post code.

Car_54

chrisw said:

I've still got a paper licence and I like having it. It feels like being part of an ever diminishing group and saves worrying and having to pay for renewal.

If renewing every 10 years worries you, you may need help.

Mildly_Miffed

Car_54 said:

chrisw said:

I've still got a paper licence and I like having it. It feels like being part of an ever diminishing group and saves worrying and having to pay for renewal.

If renewing every 10 years worries you, you may need help.

...but that whole £1.40/years... It's MORE THAN 10p/MONTH, DAMMIT!