Absolutely fuming with renewing driving license.

Um perhaps because they don't go abroad? I'm neither elderly or disabled and I don't have a passport. My partner doesn't have one either. My parents, both elderly don't have one either and I doubt we aren't the only ones in the UK without a passport.

Glad you got it sorted and cake too!

I've just tried this as we've moved house, but it won't accept it as my passport has less than a year on it (I assume that's what the problem is, they don't actually tell you!).

What I mean is I don’t see why disabled or elderly people are any less likely to have a passport than anyone else. It’s weirdly ageist and ableist for someone to think that. Of course there will be lots elderly and disabled people who don’t have passports, but lots do.

Do you have a voluntary community group near you? We have volunteer drivers that drive people to appointments for various reasons. It's a lifeline for disabled and elderly people here.

I feel your pain. I had to attend personally to get mine updated as I don't have an in date passport to use the photo from.

I'm sure I was able to just upload a different photo for renewing my driving license card - I was able to take a selfie with my phone, but not sure if you could with recovering from surgery

I don't have a passport. I am not elderly, even if you ask my dc, although tbf my dm objects to being called elderly.

Renewing at the PO is what I'd choose to do anyway-they will take the photo and check it which is helpful. Last time I was through in 5 minutes and the new licence was through within a week.

She's just had a major operation and has no friends or family around to help. Read the thread

Why would elderly or disabled people not have a passport!

Because if they don't have a valid passport to renew online then the fee is more at a Post Office.

I had similar, although I didn't have to queue. I got to the end of the online form and it said it couldn't verify me, I was advised to try a different device and email address, same fail.

It was also my third Post Office!

Why is it discriminatory against the elderly or disabled?

It's a shame ( but totally understandable) that you can't nurse anymore.

have you phoned the PO to make sure they can do what you need & double check the opening hours (for understandable personal reasons) ours has to keep cutting/changing the opening hours & she can no longer do all the services she used to, but also can't/doesn't update the list of services she can do.

why won't they bring your shopping in anymore? I understand it's store dependent & they are NOT all created equally!! But Tesco are brilliant for me. They bring the crates into the kitchen & largely unload the items onto my work surface.

there's lots I can't do, since my stroke, but lots I can do. I wish I lived near you & could help you out. It's bloody tough living alone & going through so much shit 🤗

im in a different work situation as i was made redundant before my stroke, so im having to look for work. Its good theres no external pressure, but at the same time theres a lot of self pressures redundancy money is only going to last so long.

solidarity, if no actual help xx

@Gettingbysomehow you sound so overwhelmed. It must be really hard for you as you are ,and have been, dealing with so much. Too much!

Having had periods of being incapacitated and on crutches I know how bloody exhausting and awkward general living can be.

From the tone of your messages I'm sensing that you may be at the 'straw that broke the camels back' point. Where something like this (which is shitty and irritating) just becomes a huge issue that makes you sit and just cry - where usually you would cope and just deal with it.

Is there any way that you can get some temporary local help ? Can you further delay going back to work so that you can build up mental and physical strength a bit more ?

My personal experience is that if you rush going back to work you are more likely to boomerang back to sick leave.

Have a cuppa, sit and a think. Is there anyone you can ask for help? Asking for help is hard, especially when you don't usually ask! But people like to help (As long as you don't take this piss).

Sometimes women are our own worst enemy. I'm betting that you are proving hard - to yourself and ex - that you can cope, that you are strong , that you can do this all on your own. That you're superwoman. Maybe you are, but give yourself a break.

I may be projecting/ seeing things that aren't there. If I am, apologies. But having been in that place I know how hard it was to recognise and do the things that would help in the long term.

Take care. X

I’m assuming that’s in place as people’s appearances can change in 10 years. A tad ironic then that the system doesn’t allow for changes of appearance.

I very much doubt it's to do with the picture.
I've read of people having an issue with the online system accepting an application that's linked to the new passports that dont have your signature digitally printed in them.

Hope you get it sorted @Gettingbysomehow as its frustrating when the online services don't work for you.

It doesn’t actually matter for biometric passports. They don’t go on how fat you are but things like distance between the pupils.

no because the OP's face is much thinner now

OP it sounds like more than anything you need some help.
Is there a companion service near you? My aunt works for one, clients pay however much per hour for however many appts in the week to help with shopping, visits, to go out, stuff like this.

I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you recover from your surgery soon.

Can you just use an older photo with more weight in your face?

This is what I did to it let me use passport photo

There is something up with the new system, I tried renew my licence online - it failed. I had no issues ten years ago.

@Gettingbysomehow the big issue why this is stressing you is I'll lose my job if I go back without a driving license - it's compulsory. but also you can't drive yet. So any work that requires you to drive also cannot be done yet.

Once you are able to drive, getting this sorted will be easier. Until you are able to drive, having a driving licence isn't actually needed. After your licence has expired it is legal to drive to make a journey to renew it, and it is legal to drive while your application is being processed so long as you held a valid licence before, which you did. So you will bot be committing any offence if you allow your licence expiry date to pass and then when you are cleared to drive, your first journey is to drive to a postoffice that can do renewals and has available parking.

If necessary you may need to explain this plan to your employer's HR. If there is any kind of disciplinary action connected with this, it would be disability discrimination