Driving licence renewal - the DVLA and GOV.UK online labyrinth, and its pitfalls and options

pseudodox

The pathway to 70+ renewal is made very obvious from the link on the D46P renewal form - it seems more practical to follow such a given link from a document personalised for an individual than start an online search for a generic "way in", which can often lead to all sorts of erroneous information.  A friend of mine swore blind I would not be able to renew my licence until I had a "government official" eyesight test (costing ££) at (specifically) Specsavers as he had researched "online 70+ DL renewal procedures" from "official sources".  I have now put him straight.

br1anst0rm

All very valid points, @flaneurs_lobster.  

It is ironic that the attempt to force registration into the new digital GOV.UK One Login account seems to be part of an online process which in this case was specifically for those aged over 70. That is arguably the demographic least enthusiastic, or least confident, about the shift to working and administering everything online.

Obviously as I was seeking to renew a 70+ driving licence, I'm in that age group.  Personally I'm not at all intimidated or reluctant to do stuff online,.  But I am very conscientious and circumspect about security and data protection.  And I resent being bounced into downloading an app.  That's the sort of manipulative approach that is usually a feature of less ethical online operators.

As you say, "perhaps the real criticism is that this [alternative] pathway is not made more obvious from the first DVLA [or gov.uk] webpage".

br1anst0rm

pseudodox said:

The pathway to 70+ renewal is made very obvious from the link on the D46P renewal form - it seems more practical to follow such a given link from a document personalised for an individual than start an online search for a generic "way in", 

Totally agree, @pseudodox .  That's what I did... and why when I followed the link I was surprised to be (apparently) compelled to set up a GOV.UK One Login account in order to proceed.  Also why I was puzzled when, after reading posts in this thread I tried again, to be linked onward to the 'normal' DVLA portal.  Once there i completed the renewal process quite smoothly.  

As already noted, new schemes tend to suffer glitches.  Looks like this was one of them.

pseudodox

@br1anst0rm
LOL!  Did we ever have such things as glitches when we started our driving careers?  I was treading carefully as I  read your experience and decided to renew today to see what happened.  Usually if anything can go haywire it will do it for me - but the gremlins must have been on lunch!  Or they had had their fun with you.

user1977

br1anst0rm said:

But I am very conscientious and circumspect about security and data protection.  And I resent being bounced into downloading an app.

But what's your concern about using an app, if you apparently have the ability to do so and are content to send the same info via your web browser?

queline

This isn't related to renewing a Driving Licence renewal but to say that I have recently had to set up one of these One Login accounts to register LPAs, both as a donor and as an attorney.  It wasn't too complicated to do the One Login account, but rather more difficult to find the relevant page on Gov.UK for registering the LPAs.  I wasn't asked to download an app, in fact I did it on my desktop PC. 

sheramber

br1anst0rm said:

pseudodox said:

The pathway to 70+ renewal is made very obvious from the link on the D46P renewal form - it seems more practical to follow such a given link from a document personalised for an individual than start an online search for a generic "way in", 

Totally agree, @pseudodox .  That's what I did... and why when I followed the link I was surprised to be (apparently) compelled to set up a GOV.UK One Login account in order to proceed.  Also why I was puzzled when, after reading posts in this thread I tried again, to be linked onward to the 'normal' DVLA portal.  Once there i completed the renewal process quite smoothly.  

As already noted, new schemes tend to suffer glitches.  Looks like this was one of them.

When you proceed on the first link you used, without  trying to set up the  gov account first. you are asked if you are over 70. 

Answer yes to that and the next page tells you 

You cannot use this service to apply for your driving licence yet

You'll be able to use this service in the future

What to do next

You can use our old online service to renew your licence if you're 70 or over, or will be 70 in the next 90 days.

The old online service will look different to this service and you may be asked to send your identity documents by post.

Any information you have been given on this service will not be saved.

And a link is given to the relevant site. 

br1anst0rm

user1977 said:

But what's your concern about using an app, if you apparently have the ability to do so and are content to send the same info via your web browser?

Two reasons, essentially.  One, I don't have the latest high-spec mobile phone handset.  So storage capacity and processor power are modest.  I try not to load the phone up with software that I don't need when I'm out and about.  And there's always the risk that my phone might go missing/get mislaid/be stolen (so I try to limit the sensitive personal data kept on it).  

I do use a web browser on my computer to save and transmit information and transact business.  But - second reason - my computer is much more secure both in terms of IT protection (passwords and other security measures) and physically (it's in premises which are locked when I'm not there).  So I have fewer qualms about having sensitive personal or financial data on that computer.

br1anst0rm

sheramber said:

When you proceed on the first link you used, without  trying to set up the  gov account first. you are asked if you are over 70. 

Answer yes to that and the next page tells you 

You cannot use this service to apply for your driving licence yet

You'll be able to use this service in the future

What to do next

You can use our old online service to renew your licence if you're 70 or over, or will be 70 in the next 90 days.

No, sorry, @sheramber, that's not the case.  I have just tried the link provided on my D46 renewal application form again.  Straight to the gov.uk webpage titled "Renew your driving licence if you're over 70".  Side heading "Renew online".  Click button below saying "Start now".  And when you click, it takes you directly to the "old" DVLA portal at https://motoring.dvla.gov.uk/service/DvoConsumer.portal.

So I saw none of the text quoted in your post.  And I'm still puzzled as to why when I started the attempt this morning, the "Start Now" link took me to this page https://www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account.... from which I descended, as described in my original post, down a rabbit hole leading nowhere.

Of course, YMMV.

UnsureAboutthis

pseudodox said:

I just completed my online renewal application and it could not have been more straightforward.  Using the link of the D46P (www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70) it took about 5 minutes, once I had gathered my NI number, driver number and passport number (there is an opt out if you don't have a passport BTW).  It said my DL photo was out of date and gave me the option to renew using my passport photo (tick) - maybe if you don't have a passport this causes a bit more complication.

Not sure why they want an old DL cut in half and returned it to them - this does not strike me as particularly secure as even if cut up my personal details can still be read by some nefarious thief should it go astray in the post!  But if DVLA want to make a stash of old DLs who am I to argue.  But they will have to wait until I can get to a PO (if I can find one!) for a single stamp as Tesco etc only sell books & I never use stamps these days.  Perhaps DVLA should request we send pictures of the cut up card then burn it.

100% agree with all of your
post as a few months ago I had
the same experience.

It could be the lack of a passport as you said which makes the
process imuch more complex.