Driving licence photocard renewal

[middleager]

It was announced in September that licence renewals have been extended by 11 months due to Covid.

My 10 year photocard licence expired in August and the advice at the time was no need to renew as licences had been extended by 7 months (11 now).

This is my main form of photo ID (going to the tip, bank etc). I carry it around with me, but if it's expired, then won't this cause issues around validity?

Just wondering if anybody else has encountered this recently?

I'm not expecting the hi-vis jackets at the tip to inspect the date and I'd hope if the police pulled me over they'd know about the rules, but if I was using it for an application or to leave as ID somewhere, would this be acceptable? Is my car insurance still valid etc?

[Vintagevixen]

Gosh how weird this thread has appeared, I've just renewed mine after not driving for 8 years (going to take the plunge and start again!) - had to change adresses etc.

Did it all online and the message at the end of the process was that it would take up to two weeks as usual.

[dementedpixie]

We've just applied for dds first provisional driving licence and it came back in 2-3 weeks. I'd apply for your new one now

[Beaniebeemer]

Mine expires on the 2/11. I don’t really require it for ID very often as I’m old now on the flip side though I often ask to see other people’s ID and unless it’s in date I often can hand over age restricted items!

[middleager]

Thanks. Sorry, should have added that the rules are for licences in need of re-issue between Feb to Dec 2020. Presuming yours expired before then?

Of course, I could apply, but if there's 11 months' grace and I could help ease the backlog pressure, and it is the official advice, then I need to wait. Just curious what impact this might have though.

Good luck with taking the plunge. Driving has been a big help during this as I have to drive a couple of long, complex school runs.

[Beaniebeemer]

Sorry posted too soon. I shouldn’t hand over age restricted items unless it’s in date.....

[middleager]

@Beaniebeemer

Mine expires on the 2/11. I don’t really require it for ID very often as I’m old now on the flip side though I often ask to see other people’s ID and unless it’s in date I often can hand over age restricted items!

I'm fairly sure I'll pass at 47 sadly.

It's more like ID collecting an item or when we hired bikes we had to leave it as a deposit.

[ExclamationPerfume]

Mine was due in July. I haven't renewed it. They say they will write to you when it's due. I can't see the date making any difference to using it as ID. It's still a valid licence.

[dementedpixie]

Its only the photo that has expired. The licence itself is valid until your 70th birthday

[middleager]

Yes it's the photocard not paper licence that needs updating after 10 years.

[dementedpixie]

Paper licences aren't valid any more. You can update it before the extension period runs out

[dementedpixie]

Or should I say, paper counterparts for the photocard licences aren't valid any more

[middleager]

Thanks - had to update my passport over the summer too (that'll teach me to change my name 10 years ago) so they can use the same (terrible) picture.

[BlueThursday]

Just to say a friend encountered a problem hiring a car recently when they wouldn’t accept the expired licence so he had to renew his even though there’s the extension

[janj2301]

My husband renewed his (70) got new one in a fortnight. You can still drive obce your renewal has been submitted but he does have a passport for ID purposes