Renewing photo driver's license

[AllSoComplicated]

I got a form in the post saying I have to renew it as 10 years are up and it's going to cost.. Actually I can't remember how much.

I haven't done it yet but I don't know anyone in real life who has had this. How come I don't? Is it cos they were introduced gradually or something.

Can anyone tell me I'm not the only one!

I still have the paper one (just panicked that I am the only person left in the UK with one.)

Old style paper licenses (pre 1998) are still valid. Paper counterparts that used to come with photo card are not.

My mum never got a photo card one until she was 70 and had to renew to the new one. She has to renew every 3 years now

I did mine last month.

I didn't want them to use my passport photo so they took a new photo in the post office. I look like a surly teen in it. Old card was cut up and I was given a receipt to confirm I'd paid for a new one, just in case I had to produce one.

New licence received 2 weeks later.

I guess people don't look at them!

I had to do it nearly ten years ago so will need to do it again soon. I'm glad they send out reminders now.

I've had my license 18 years and had to do it twice. I got paper and card when I passed. Reminders both times.

There might be people with paper licences still if they passed their test before photo cards came in and haven't moved house since.

I saw one a couple of years ago when a friend hired a car while we were on holiday. The piece of paper was probably about 40 years old and looked very tatty and fragile like it should have been handled with gloves and tweezers.

But yes, good idea to send out reminders as lots of people forget or are unaware. Ours are due at just about the same time as our passports so easy to remember.

Someone said recently in a local FB group that they had a paper licence. I just don't get how you could still have a paper licence. Unless you've not moved house in over 20 years/since they introduced the cards I guess. I had to change mine when I moved house, and then have renewed recently as it was 10 years. It was £14 so a lot cheaper than passports.

At least they don't have the stupid "counterpart" anymore.

just don't get how you could still have a paper licence

By passing your test before 1998.

I've renewed it a few times. Every ten years I think. Definitely a thing.

Surely it's just not something people talk about because its mundane, like paying your gas bill, or changing providers. Everyone knows a driving licence only lasts 10 years.

I started this thread nearly five years ago...can someone comment again in another five years then I might remember I need to do it again