Driving licence expired - who knew?

[desperatetostaypositive]

Got my driving licence out (for ID verification) and ds was looking at it and told me it's expired
I'm 52. I've just looked online and it needs renewing (easy to do online and with a little extra time allowed due to Covid ) but is this common knowledge? I didn't think you had to renew it until you were 70 or so

Is it just the photo card that’s expired?

Yes I knew.

Every 10 years with the photocard. Yes, I knew.

You have to renew photo card license every 10 years

The paper licence isn't valid now and your plastic licence expires every 10 years. Although there's been a 6 month extension (dependent on when your licence expires) because of Covid

I received a letter and (I think) and email 6mths before mine expired last year. DH had the same this year to renew his. I assume its only valid 10yrs because your image can change a great deal in that time. It was easy enough to renew though.

Mine too OP. I got a letter though but I left it (as usual). Now it expires today and I can't do it online because they want a new photo. You may be the same.

I posted about this when I had to renew mine. Everyone thought it was bit weird but agree OP.ni was totally taken aback and had no idea. I did get a reminder about it but I actually queried if the Letter was legit,it seemed so odd. Loads of people o asked in family and friends had no idea either.

I have just renewed mine. Only took 10 days

I remember being surprised about this the first round it happened, and so was everyone I asked about it. When the paper ones were phased out I think. But it stands to reason, its a photo ID so it does need updating for the photo anyway.

Yes, and the reason is pretty obvious. Photo ID is only useable if it's a recent enough picture. 10 years is about right.

Paper licences are valid but the paper counterpart of your photo licence is no longer required. You can check your license/points online.

Yes, your photo expires after ten years but your license is still valid.

Yes makes sense of course as it's a photo card (I look very different I have to say!)
I can't remember when I got a photo card previously but obviously had it changed within 10 years of getting it as we moved house so it never expired.

@PickleSarnie

The paper licence isn't valid now and your plastic licence expires every 10 years. Although there's been a 6 month extension (dependent on when your licence expires) because of Covid

Not correct Copied & pasted from the UK GOVT website

Do not destroy your paper driving licence
The changes that come into effect on 8 June 2015 are for existing photocard driving licence holders in England, Scotland and Wales only (Northern Ireland drivers are unaffected). Providing none of the details on a driver’s paper licence have changed (like their name or address), they can continue to use it until it expires. This is usually the day before their 70 birthday or 45 birthday for vocational entitlement.

I only found out recently mine needed renewed in June last year. None of my local Post Offices do renewals so I'll need to wait til the rules ease up a bit to go to the nearest one (30 mins away)

If you have a paper licence that predates the introduction of the photo ones, they remain valid until their expiry date (age 70) OR until the details (name / address etc) need changing

Yes, I remember this being a surprise when it happened to me a while ago. Nobody I mentioned it to knew you had to either.

@camsue

If you have a paper licence that predates the introduction of the photo ones, they remain valid until their expiry date (age 70) OR until the details (name / address etc) need changing

This. And yes I knew, but always had a photocard.

@Mrsmadevans I think that is regarding people that only have a paper license. If you had card and paper then the paper is obsolete.

It is the paper counterpart that used to be issued with the photo card that is no longer valid. Actual paper driving licenses are fine.

I did not know this!
Thankfully it turns out that mine expires in September 2021.

I have never gone over to the card, still have my rather ratty paper one. It's become a point of principle now! I guess when I get to 70 I might have to get one!

Well I never knew that.

I renewed my photo licence last Friday online, didn't need to send a new photo as they can use the one from your passport. I received it today, so very quick at the moment if you do it online.

I knew. I checked mine the other day because I’m getting a new car in the Summer so I need to know it’s valid to do that drives. It runs out in July, as does DH’s, so we need to renew them.