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AIBU?

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Original poster

Do you have a cheque book?

167 replies

DVLEh · 14/12/2025 09:06

I haven't had one since 2020.

I asked 4 friends. None of them have a cheque book either.

We're all 40s-60s and haven't needed one for years. 2 friends' bank accounts could request a cheque book, but the other 3 of us couldn't.

I need to send a cheque or postal order to the DVLA. So it's a national government service asking.

And on another note, the man in the PO yesterday didn't know what a postal order was, so couldn't issue me one.

YABU - change your bank account to one which automatically issues a cheque book

YANBU - the DVLA needs to join the 21st century

OP posts:
PlazaAthenee · 14/12/2025 18:53

Yes, it's in my desk. I don't think I've used it since just before the pandemic though.

Gingabex · 14/12/2025 18:52

I had a similar situation with the DVLA. No cheque book and the local Post Office couldn't issue a postal order on a Saturday, and I needed it sorted. A friend kindly wrote me the cheque and I paid her back.
It's so antiquated.

Blackhungrybirds · 14/12/2025 18:47

Yes I have a cheque book

Rarely write a cheque

Some banks now accept a photo of a cheque

Oldwmn · 14/12/2025 18:44

DVLEh · 14/12/2025 09:06

I haven't had one since 2020.

I asked 4 friends. None of them have a cheque book either.

We're all 40s-60s and haven't needed one for years. 2 friends' bank accounts could request a cheque book, but the other 3 of us couldn't.

I need to send a cheque or postal order to the DVLA. So it's a national government service asking.

And on another note, the man in the PO yesterday didn't know what a postal order was, so couldn't issue me one.

YABU - change your bank account to one which automatically issues a cheque book

YANBU - the DVLA needs to join the 21st century

Yes, but I don't where it is.

Rednotdead · 14/12/2025 18:34

I have one, but haven’t written a cheque for years, I just keep it in case of emergencies

ScrambledEggs12 · 14/12/2025 17:50

In my old house I used to send a cheque once a year for £1.10 for ground rent.

ScrambledEggs12 · 14/12/2025 17:49

Yes, I use it once a year. It's sponsorship of a specific animal. The more popular animals you can do online. But this one can only be done by cheque or by writing my bank details on a piece of paper and posting them which I don't want to do. Every year I pay by cheque and write a note saying that I hope they sort it out so it can be done online next year....

TheHateIsNotGood · 14/12/2025 17:46

As a pp stated....Land Registry also give only the cheque/PO options to pay fees for some of their forms. Recently wrote a cheque for a friend who didn't have a cheque book.

Arlanymor · 14/12/2025 17:44

These are the DVLA services which you need to pay for by cheque or postal order - usually because there is a specific form which has to go alongside the payment so the two things need to coincide. I am sure that they are working on ways to improve this however and the vast majority of services are thankfully payable online or over the phone:

  • Application to exchange a non-GB driving licence for a GB one.
  • Application for a driving licence following a disqualification
  • Requests for vehicle information from individuals (companies and other organisations can use the automated online service)
  • Application for a vehicle registration certificate where the original is not available.
  • Applications for reduced vehicle tax for those receiving the standard rate of PIP
  • Application to amend vehicle excise duty details -
  • Trade licence applications, including firstlicences, renewal or replacement
ArcticGrass · 14/12/2025 17:36

I do have one, can’t remember the last time I used it, years.

Getoffofmyland · 14/12/2025 14:02

I have one but only person I pay is my gardener - one probably lasts me a year

Original poster
DVLEh · 14/12/2025 14:01

Bananafofana · 14/12/2025 13:33

@DVLEh I struck this last month - had to pay for replacement licence and couldn’t believe the only options were cheque or postal order. Might as well have suggested wiring the money or sending a telegram.
we turned the house upside down and found a cheque book with ONE cheque in it, last used in 2018.

I should have put an envelope of cash on a pigeons leg and sent it to Swansea.

OP posts:
Igotu · 14/12/2025 13:48

It's somewhere in the house. Last used in 2016 if I recall.

AliTheMinx · 14/12/2025 13:47

I have one, but barely use it. I think the only time I have used it over the last few yeats was for school photos. My son receives a cheque every year for his birthday from an elderly family friend.

ohtowinthelottery · 14/12/2025 13:44

I've got one but it lives in the filing cabinet. I think i may have written one cheque in the last 2 years and that was only because I thought it was amusing to send a cheque to a firm whose systems seemed to be so archaic that a cheque seemed appropriate. They did actually allow bank transfers but wanted a phone call to tell them that was how you'd paid if you used that method! You do wonder how some businesses manage to function in the 21st century!

19lottie82 · 14/12/2025 13:40

Yes, somewhere at the back of my junk drawer. I don’t think I’ve used it in over 3 years though.

Vaguelyclassical · 14/12/2025 13:38

This is actually a cultural (well, national) thing. In the US, people paying things by bank transfers all the time is not so universally common and a lot of people even people under 90!) still have cheque books (aka check books) and pay bills by cheque from time to time. Mind you, the banks also still have lots of brick and mortar branches where you can deposit checks and do real banking with real people as a matter of routine.

CrushingOnRubies · 14/12/2025 13:34

FestiveBauble · 14/12/2025 09:12

My bank has never issued me a cheque book for any of my accounts (I’m early 30s). I’ve used cheques in a previous place of employment, but never had to write one in my personal life!

Pretty much the same as this. Growing up my parents used them regularly but not very often now. But are still shocked I don’t have a cheque book

dp has one automatically issued by bank. Used one cheque in 10 years type thing

Bananafofana · 14/12/2025 13:33

@DVLEh I struck this last month - had to pay for replacement licence and couldn’t believe the only options were cheque or postal order. Might as well have suggested wiring the money or sending a telegram.
we turned the house upside down and found a cheque book with ONE cheque in it, last used in 2018.

Sharptonguedwoman · 14/12/2025 13:31

I have one, I needed it when I was acting for my mum, much easier to pay bills and keep track. I also have one in my own name. I can only put cheques into DDs saving's account. Not cash because of money laundering.

Original poster
DVLEh · 14/12/2025 13:30

clary · 14/12/2025 12:36

I have a second current account that I regularly change provider of, depending on the free cash they're offering to switchers. It's currently TSB, so they'll send me one if I ask.

I'm tempted to do this @DVLEh but don't you have to close your other one and transfer all DDs and salary pay-in?

You don't have to pay the salary in. I have 2 DDs set up on the second account, and transfer £70 in a month to cover them. (License fee + water bill)

OP posts:
Original poster
DVLEh · 14/12/2025 13:28

RESULT!

Drove past a corner shop with a PO counter. PO open on a Sunday.

They issued my PO (plus a 12.5% charge) and then the form got sent off recorded.

OP posts:
BiddyPopthe2nd · 14/12/2025 13:21

No. My bank stopped doing cheques quite a few years ago - I had one in Uni and for a few years after that but I think it stopped around 2005 or so.

MagnoliaTreeBlossom · 14/12/2025 13:01

I have a chequebook and write about 8 cheques per year. It is handy for posting payments or sending cards with 'birthday money'.

Notmyreality · 14/12/2025 12:53

Meadowfinch · 14/12/2025 12:44

Yes, I have a cheque book because I pay the hair salon, flour mill, chimney sweep and tree surgeon with cheques at their request. Their choice because bank processing costs are less. My standard bank account automatically sends me a new book when the current one is getting low.

Having said that, the hair salon and chimney sweep are moving to cash only in the new year because banks have started putting up the cost of processing cheques.

Bank processing costs are less than doing a direct bacs transfer on your phone or online?
All my local trades want paying my direct bank transfer. Have done for years.