Any DVLA employees available to answer question on driving license?

[notagainmummy]

My DMum is 70 today and her drivers license expires. She sent in a form to renew it but it was over the 21 days she had, as she was shielding (in our bubble) and it was difficult getting someone to sign her photo. This form was sent to her after she filled in the online application. It was 28 days not the 21 on the form, but she didn't read that bit until it was too late.

So is she still legal to drive? Rang DVLA and they are not taking any calls relating to driving licenses.

She takes the kids to school by car for us, so it's important we know if she is legal.

Yes, she knows she should have got on with it, so no kicking please.

www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70#more-information

This suggests she should be OK if she's assessed as fit to drive. There's a link on that page that gives more info.

Won't let me post a screenshot so I'll copy and paste info:
Driving whileDVLAhas your licence

You can drive while your licence is being renewed if you meet all the following conditions:

• you have the support of your doctor to continue driving
• you had a valid licence
• you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
• your application is less than a year old
• your last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
• you’re not currently disqualified
• you weren’t disqualified as ahigh risk offenderon or after 1 June 2013

Read the guidance‘Can I drive while my application is withDVLA?’for more information.

Did she have one of the old paper licences and now has to swap to a photocard?

@dementedpixie Yes, she had an old paper license she returned with all her evidence of being who she is! 40 years driving and totally clean, so she is beyond irritated at the hoops she has to go through to renew.

I think your right, she is still covered, but it's ironic last year people has a huge grace period where the license was automatically extended, and she only gets 21 days.

My mum had to go through this rigmarole too but luckily not during the pandemic. And then you need to repeat every 3 years!