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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Absolutely fuming with renewing driving license.

187 replies

Gettingbysomehow · 10/06/2025 22:36

AIBU?
Fucking government online licence renewing site won't accept my photo because I've lost 5 stone and my face is thinner than the rest of my IDs. I assume that's what it is they refuse to tell you and after three attempts you are out.
I have to do it online because I've had major surgery and can't drive yet.
I'll lose my job if I go back without a driving license - it's compulsory.
The nearest post office to me that does it is 10 miles away in a warren of streets with no parking and there is literally nobody to take me.
What the fuck am I supposed to do then?
Excuse the swearing I'm just so stressed.
I've just had equal shit applying for my blue badge and that's going to take 3 months to process.
I'm trying to get better so I can return to work and it's just stress and more stress.

OP posts:
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5
AmelieSummer25 · 10/06/2025 23:27

GallifreyGirl · 10/06/2025 23:20

Also my blue badge (first application and also the renewals) only take 7-10 days so I can’t imagine yours will be 3 months!

I've been told with my council to expect it to be 3 months.

AmelieSummer25 · 10/06/2025 23:26

I suggest you google 'volunteer drivers 'area'

mist areas have a group of volunteer drivers to get people to mostly medical appointments, but they'd also do this if they could.

if you can't find it by googling/using Nextdoor app. Then ask at your surgery.

they do charge (here anyway) but it's a few quid towards fuel, taxi woukd be £25-£30. Group £6.

if you live local to me, I'd happily take you (I'm in a GU postcode).

bedt if luck with getting the ships back in the Fuad! It's not easy 🤗

OneAgileTraybake · 10/06/2025 23:20

MrsWinslowsSoothingSyrup · 10/06/2025 23:19

Just ring up the DVLA and they'll post you a paper form.

Fill it in, attach photo, post it back.

Yep it’s simple - Royal Mail will even collect it from your house if you book a collection. Am I missing something? This is all very dramatic reaction over something solved so easily.

GallifreyGirl · 10/06/2025 23:20

Also my blue badge (first application and also the renewals) only take 7-10 days so I can’t imagine yours will be 3 months!

MrsWinslowsSoothingSyrup · 10/06/2025 23:19

Just ring up the DVLA and they'll post you a paper form.

Fill it in, attach photo, post it back.

travelallthetime · 10/06/2025 23:17

CaptainFuture · 10/06/2025 22:49

But don't get taxi all the way there? Drive to a close cafe, park then get a taxi?
And why is it £50 for a ten mile taxi journey?!!

Edited
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I live in the middle of nowhere, if the op is the same then bus/train isn’t an option and a taxi costs so much as they have to come to you in the first place!

OneAgileTraybake · 10/06/2025 23:15

You can also do the passport photos online and get them printed and sent to you, and pay via cheque (order a cheque book if needed).

Moier · 10/06/2025 23:15

Blue badge . I just go to my local council with photo and ID and form. Pay my tenner.. it's sent to me 3 days later.

Pistachiocake · 10/06/2025 23:14

And we wonder why younger people are so stressed, our grandparents just had paper licences and none of this hassle (yes, they had to update addresses etc, but not with the kind of hassle we have now).
Other than saying be born a long time ago and never move house (because they'd make you get a photo one), no helpful suggestions-just sympathy!

OneAgileTraybake · 10/06/2025 23:13

You can get the form sent to your house?

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 10/06/2025 23:11

Gettingbysomehow · 10/06/2025 22:42

I could yes but it costs £50 there and £50 back.

Show quote history

If your job depends on it on you can't do it online then surely that's what you need to do?

Alternatively, as you are disabled, is there a community support/transport organisation near you that you could use?

CallMeFlo · 10/06/2025 23:10

You can download a form online and send it to the DVLA. I did that when I moved house

GallifreyGirl · 10/06/2025 23:08

My photo kept rejecting too as I have the new blue passport and it’s a known problem. I got a form sent to me in the post and did it that way. Your licence is not invalidated if out of date you can still drive while doing the replacement. So you do have a full valid licence while renewing. Check gov.uk it confirms this . Then do the paper based form no post office was needed for me at all?

Exasperateddonut · 10/06/2025 23:07

lashy · 10/06/2025 22:58

Do you have a valid passport?
I just had to renew my driving licence due to the ten year rule, (£14 online) and was able to give my passport number so the system could check that automatically and use that photo of me on my new driving licence. I had renewed my passport in 2023).
Was a very smooth process.
New licence arrived in the post 2 working days later.

Yes this! And so long as it’s in date you can use the picture.

BaldingMum · 10/06/2025 23:02

Lots and lots of negativity and excuses.

How would you have managed before this new online renewal process?

Just do that.

ThatsNotMyTeen · 10/06/2025 22:59

Why are the taxis so expensive?! Where are you?

dementedpixie · 10/06/2025 22:58

Some are open on a Saturday. Could someone not go then?

lashy · 10/06/2025 22:58

Do you have a valid passport?
I just had to renew my driving licence due to the ten year rule, (£14 online) and was able to give my passport number so the system could check that automatically and use that photo of me on my new driving licence. I had renewed my passport in 2023).
Was a very smooth process.
New licence arrived in the post 2 working days later.

Original poster
Gettingbysomehow · 10/06/2025 22:54

I'll have to cough up for a taxi, none of my neighbours drive and all my friends are at work during post office hours. £100 bloody quid ff's. I have no relatives less than 200 miles away and live alone.
Good thing someone said not all post offices that advertise this service online actually provide the service I'll definitely ring first. I'd have gone mental if I'd got there in a taxi and they didn't do it.

OP posts:
heavenisaplaceonearth · 10/06/2025 22:53

Apply for PIP if you need it because this is exactly what it’s for.

KickboxingWanker · 10/06/2025 22:53

I’m sure when mine failed to renew online I ticked something and the form was posted out to me. Looking at the website now they don’t seem to offer that anymore, you can download and print the form if you have access to a printer.
You would need to get a printed photo to send with it.

SandyY2K · 10/06/2025 22:52

CaptainFuture · 10/06/2025 22:49

But don't get taxi all the way there? Drive to a close cafe, park then get a taxi?
And why is it £50 for a ten mile taxi journey?!!

Edited
Show quote history

She can't drive at the moment. She's had a hip replacement operation.

Ilovemyshed · 10/06/2025 22:50

Do you have a Good Neighbour organisation in your area?

Barrenfieldoffucks · 10/06/2025 22:50

Taxi to the bus stop?

CaptainFuture · 10/06/2025 22:49

Gettingbysomehow · 10/06/2025 22:42

I could yes but it costs £50 there and £50 back.

Show quote history

But don't get taxi all the way there? Drive to a close cafe, park then get a taxi?
And why is it £50 for a ten mile taxi journey?!!