Check Your Driving Licence

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by johne, Aug 5, 2021.

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  1. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
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    I came across this purely by chance a week or so back. I've never paid much attention to the details on my photo card licence other than to check all the classes of vehicle I'm entitled to drive are listed on there (including motorcycles of course). I happened to look at the expiry date 4b on the front and noticed my licence was due to expire on 18 November this year. The last time I changed my licence was to advise a change of address some 8 years ago. The date 18/11/21 has no significance that I can see. The licence was issued on 4 October 2013. So its not even a full year anniversary from date of issue. Its not the day before my next birthday (I'm 63 in December) I don't know if the DVLA would have contacted me as the date got closer, but I was quite shocked to see my licence could have expired in the next few months and I probably wouldn't have noticed.. I applied for a replacement and apart from fleecing me for 14 quid, the process (on line) was quite straightforward and my 'new' licence arrived in the post today. Needless to say I checked all the details and this one expires the day before my 70th birthday in 2028. It might be worth giving yours a once over and checking all is in order. ;)
     
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  2. brown mouse

    brown mouse Elite Member

    Sep 15, 2018
    2,288
    943
    East Midlands, UK
    Thanks, mine expires in 2 months! Mrs Mouse's has expired and she didn't receive any kind of notification. (She doesn't actually drive a vehicle at the moment)

    Think expiry date is because they want you to renew the photo every 10 years or something like that. Licence qualifications expire at age 70 when you need you get medical OK every 3 years thereafter I believe.
     
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  3. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Had to renew mine last year. :cool:
     
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  4. brown mouse

    brown mouse Elite Member

    Sep 15, 2018
    2,288
    943
    East Midlands, UK
    It's also worth pointing out that if you use Google to search about renewing driving license the first thing you will be presented with is a ad for a scam site. Make sure you go to the government site.
     
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  5. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    2,940
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    What is this "photo card" licence of which you speak? I still have the green paper one! Runs out on my 70th.:grinning:
     
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  6. Adrian Braithwaite

    Adrian Braithwaite Well-Known Member

    Sep 7, 2018
    128
    93
    Kirkhamgate
    I understand that the licence is valid for ten years and even if you move house in that time and apply for a change of address, the licence will still expire ten years from its original issue irrespective of the change of address amendment. I always take a copy of mine before returning anything to the DVLA as the Motorcycle entitlement has a nasty habit of disappearing. I lost count of the number of customers at my training school who had been riding having updated their licence which was returned without the bike entitlement and as such they were riding without a licence unless they could prove that they had previously had it.
     
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  7. Iceman

    Iceman Crème de la Crème

    Apr 19, 2020
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    Though the photocard driving licence needs to be renewed every 10 years, in general paper driving licences (pink or blue) are valid until you're 70, after which it needs renewing every three years. If you only need to update your address or name, or you're over 70 and you're just renewing it, this is free, although if changing address and you have the paper licence (pink or blue) you will receive a new photo credit card sized licence that you have to legally renew every ten years. When you reach 70 and apply online for a new licence then the following will happen, it lasts for 3 years only and a new application has to be made, also any entitlement to drive a mini bus or heavy truck (non HGV) will be removed, the way to keep these entitlements is to make a paper application, there is however a very long delay, furthmore if your licence expires before the new one arrives you can't legally drive on public roads, and the Court's take a very dim view of driving without a valid licence. I have all my old licences, the old red book, blue and green paper ones just for sentimentality really, although they are no bloody use. Contrary to what a lot of people think a driving licence is a privilege and not a right. Ride safe all.
     
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  8. TonyG

    TonyG Noble Member

    Dec 1, 2016
    720
    443
    Bucks
    #8 TonyG, Aug 5, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2021
    I can't believe this, checked mine and it expired in Sep 20..! However, it looks like anything that expired that year got an extension for 11 months because of covid, but also states you should get a reminder, Well I haven't any reminder. Trying to renew now.

    Thanks for the warning.
     
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  9. Rooster

    Rooster Grumpy Member
    Subscriber

    Sep 14, 2015
    1,639
    800
    Droitwich, Worcestershire
    Thx, just looked at mine and it expires next June
     
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  10. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

    Jan 30, 2016
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    thanks, i just checked mine got a couple of years left, I'll have to put a note in my diary :blush:
     
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  11. Oldskool

    Oldskool Elite Member

    Jan 29, 2019
    2,185
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    Hertfordshire
    I’ve just done that…01.08.2024. In a few years time I will be so impressed with my powers of organisation….
    Thanks for the heads up Johne
     
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  12. Col_C

    Col_C I can't re...Member

    Aug 5, 2015
    1,433
    800
    Cornwall
    Mine came up for renewal a few months back, I did get a reminder. Had to pay for a 10yr renewal however I turn 70 in 3 years, think I ought to get a refund! ;)
    It seems licence renewal is free for us oldies, shame I can't keep C1 & D1 without hassle though.
     
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  13. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
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    That's what I thought, but with an issue date of 4/10/13 and expiry date of 18/11/21 mine was no where near the ten years limit.
     
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  14. Col_C

    Col_C I can't re...Member

    Aug 5, 2015
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    Don't suppose you had a change of address or entitlement in 4/10/13? (issue date could be when something changed)
    ..........unless you're 70th is 18/11/21? :)
     
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  15. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
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    TOP TIP (you probably do this anyway)
    Take a photograph of both sides of the licence when doing any transaction with DVLA, address change, renewal, whatever. That way you have proof of your categories/entitlements, it’s not unknown for motorcycle group etc to get missed and without proof of test pass (which none of us keep) your screwed. There were some well publicised cases a few years ago, one I believe was a mechanic working in a police workshop, and he had to start from scratch to get his group A reinstated.
     
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  16. Havit

    Havit Admin
    Staff Member Subscriber

    Jul 17, 2015
    9,567
    1,000
    Kent
    I'm just about to change mine from an Irish licence back to a UK one, I'm hoping my bikes will have UK plates within the next 3 weeks after finally getting customs to get there act together and send my clearance to bring the bikes back without duty,
     
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  17. Stephen Martin

    Stephen Martin Senior Member

    Aug 31, 2020
    456
    113
    Isle of Wight
    17/12/23 so ok for now but will need to make a note as there's no way I'll remember. Thanks for the heads up
     
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  18. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,318
    1,000
    North West England
    Can’t remember when I got my current licence. I think I will need to double check when it needs renewed :)
     
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  19. Iceman

    Iceman Crème de la Crème

    Apr 19, 2020
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    #19 Iceman, Aug 7, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2021
    The mechanic working for the Police was supported through the Police HR department, they provided the DVLA with a copy of the paperwork including a photo copy of the mechanics licence clearly showing his licence and entitlements when he took up his post, DVLA would not budge, stating their records show he was not entitled to ride motorcycles and refused to re instate the entitlement, hence he had to take a re test. Even the photocopy and letter from the Police to DVLA did no good so god help anyone else when such a mistake happens, a similar case I know of personally with a sworn affidavit from a Solicitor confirming his entitlement failed to re instate the persons motorcycle entitlement. There appears to be complete intransigence to rectify mistakes within the DVLA when things go wrong. Personally I never send the DVLA my Licence when changing anything, I keep it for proof if ever needed. By all means return the old one when you have the correct entitlements on your new or replacement licence, ride safe all.
     
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  20. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
    1,674
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    Where the Wolds meet the sea
    I certainly kept hold of mine until the new one arrived. I had fun and games with the DVLA a couple of years back with getting my old CB550 Honda registered as Historic as it was over 40 years old, but that's a story for another day.
     
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