DVLA - exchanging EU driving licence for UK licence

[GimmeAy]

Hi - has anyone done this and how long did it take?

Also, my EU licence had expired in 2018, but has no endorsements or anything like that - and is a full clean licence. I read nothing in the literature about the old licence having to be in date. Would anyone know anything about that? It's been maybe 2 weeks now, so I'm hoping they're not going to return the whole lot saying they can't process it as it's out of date.

You get a form from the Post Office, complete it and send it off. It's a D1

I sent it away two weeks ago.
Did you read my post?

I think you can drive until licence expires. Has it expired due to age? So you may need to retest.

I wouldn't have thought you could exchange an expired license for a valid one. If it's expired it's a non-licence. An ex licence if you will.
You wouldn't be able to use it in the country it was issued, so why do you think you could renew it here?

Why has your licence expired. If you have an EU licence you can drive on your licence until the age of 70 in the U.K.

Ignore me, lol, f you are 70 years.

Driving licences expire if you have certain health conditions - mine needs to be renewed every 10 years, though if it expires you can usually just apply for a new one - I’ve never been asked to resit my test it’s just a way of periodically checking your health is still ok for driving.

The DVLA are effectively shut at the moment for paperwork sent in. So you may have a long wait I’m afraid

@Finfintytint you need to replace your photo licence every ten years.

Almostfifty, yes but the licence to drive doesn’t expire, just the updating of details.

Aren't the DVLA pretty much shut at the moment?

Even if they are open, I'll imagine they'll have a lot of backlog to deal with!

I sent off for a change of address, and chased it this week. They have a 3 month back log at the moment. They are not answering phones unless a key worker.

Yes they will only deal with any paperwork sent in by key workers at the moment, they will give you a special address to send it too if you are a key worker. My DH has just had to do it for his.

@frankie001 Is there a number I can call them on?

@GimmeAy I think this is the number 0300 790 6801. If they don’t answer they give a message as to another number to ring.

Thanks frankie I'll try them tomorrow

Oh well - that didn't work - 'we're unable to take your call, please call back another time'. That's helpful.

Useful information here op.
www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/renew-driving-licence/

happened to a colleague.
eu license expired.
only way to get a uk license was to pass the driving test.

I just did this the other way round and my licence had to be valid. Can you renew your EU licence first? It might be easier.

Goes without saying that you shouldn't be driving without a valid license, whether EU or UK. If you need to drive then agree with PP that you should try to renew the EU license otherwise you're in for a long wait with DVLA.

They seem to have reopened their phone lines today so maybe try one of the numbers on their website now

Can you clarify exactly what you mean by expired? I’m asking because legally, an expired driving licence has a very specific meaning

I tried them about 9.30am this morning and there's just a recorded voice message, they can't take your call.
"If you're a licence holder from a designated country, your licence needs to be valid at the time it's received by the DVLA. If you're from any EU/EEA country, however, you'll be able to exchange your licence even if its validity has expired.12 Jun 2019"

I had to send my EU licence back with my application, so can't quote exactly, but from memory, it says "Valid from 2008 - Expiration date 2018". You've to renew your licence (not by doing a test) every 10 years in Ireland. Gardai don't pass much heed on an expired one afaik, though have never driven with an expired licence - I think they'll just tell you to renew it - I suppose so that there's an up to date photo/address on it. Much like renewing your passport every 10 years or so.

If it has expired and you're over a certain age (can't remember - maybe 70) then you have to sit driving test again - similar with some of the designated countries (or all of them).