Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Driving Licence Renewal Timescale

34 replies

Redglitter · 04/06/2021 18:25

Has anyone recently applied for a new photo licence through the post?

My licence expired last year and I only realised recently. I sent the form, cheque and photo to the DVLA about 6 weeks ago but have heard nothing. My cheque hasn't even been cashed yet

Has anyone else applied through the post and if so how long did your new licence take to arrive

OP posts:
mathswall · 04/06/2021 18:27

I did mine at the post office it took 4 days, I'd give them a call to see if they got it.

Original poster
Redglitter · 04/06/2021 18:29

Thats easier said than done. I tried and lost the will to live. Its virtually impossible to speak to someone. Its ridiculous 😡

OP posts:
Mamamamasaurus · 04/06/2021 18:54

Mine wouldn't load online so I popped to a PO. Submitted on the Friday, my licence arrived on Monday. I was in shock!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
Findahouse21 · 04/06/2021 19:05

You can check online if they have processed it yet www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence by looking at the valid dates

Original poster
Redglitter · 04/06/2021 19:06

Ugh! None of the Post Offices around here do the applications so I just sent it in. Wish I'd found one that did. I domt know at what stage I should assume its lost and start again

The DVLA seem to be one of many organisations blaming Covid for poor customer service 😡

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/06/2021 19:06

Did you not have a valid passport as then you could have renewed online?

Original poster
Redglitter · 04/06/2021 19:07

@Findahouse21

You can check online if they have processed it yet www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence by looking at the valid dates
I've been checking it daily hoping it'll update 😂😂
OP posts:
AyyMacarena · 04/06/2021 19:08

You still have a valid license. It is only the photo that expires. Don't worry too much about it.

Original poster
Redglitter · 04/06/2021 19:10

Its just a pest. I thought the DPD driver wasn't going to give me my Gin delivery yesterday because I've got no proof of age - apart from a 50 year old face!!

OP posts:
fuckweasel · 04/06/2021 19:20

I sent mine off in the post for a change of address at the end of March and it arrived back last week. Eight weeks or so.

Original poster
Redglitter · 04/06/2021 19:24

@fuckweasel Thanks, that's good to know

OP posts:
dopenguinsdance · 04/06/2021 19:26

Does anyone know how far ahead of the expiry date you can apply for a new licence? I tried to renew via the DVLA portal because my licence expires mid-June, but it was rejected because it was still valid. So, do I have to wait until it expires to apply? What's the legal position between one expiring and the new one being issued?

TooMuchTooLittleTooLate · 04/06/2021 19:27

I sent mine off end of March and took about 4 weeks, I wasn't expecting it to take that long

dementedpixie · 04/06/2021 19:31

@dopenguinsdance

Does anyone know how far ahead of the expiry date you can apply for a new licence? I tried to renew via the DVLA portal because my licence expires mid-June, but it was rejected because it was still valid. So, do I have to wait until it expires to apply? What's the legal position between one expiring and the new one being issued?
I renewed mine before it expired. Did it online
dementedpixie · 04/06/2021 19:33

www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence

NursieBernard · 04/06/2021 19:41

DH did his renewal online on Sunday and it arrived yesterday. So the online process is very quick.

alloalloallo · 04/06/2021 19:44

DVLA are having big delays at the moment

We register imported vehicles at work and have been waiting 12 weeks for some V5Cs to come back.

Covid, and they had a strike a little while ago and I think there’s more strike action planned, has caused long delays.

Rillington · 04/06/2021 19:47

The DVLA Twitter replies are quoting six weeks. I've just sent mine off. I don't have a passport so need it back soon incase I need ID for any reason. Every other company has worked through the pandemic. The DVLA seem to have almost gone on strike.

Passionfruitpizza · 04/06/2021 20:11

Mine took a week or so to come back. Photo expired by a year or so.

Original poster
Redglitter · 04/06/2021 20:14

@NursieBernard

DH did his renewal online on Sunday and it arrived yesterday. So the online process is very quick.
So I believe but unfortunately I couldn't do.it online
OP posts:
HarrisMcCoo · 04/06/2021 20:18

Done mine at post office today. Was told it's roughly taking a week to get new one through the post.

AyyMacarena · 04/06/2021 22:08

@dopenguinsdance the licence doesn't expire, just the picture. Although there is a fine for not renewing the image at the set time you would have to be extremely unlucky to receive this fine especially when the DvLa have been on strike and effectively shut down.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 05/06/2021 10:10

There was an article in the Guardian about this, something like 6 weeks delays. I had a nightmare as mine is registered at an address that was knocked down 20 years ago, not driven since. You can't even speak to a chat bot becuase they don't recognise the problem. Eventually figured out I need a D1 form. No idea how long it will take them now.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 05/06/2021 10:13

Oh snd on twitter now says dvla industrial action 2-5 june.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 05/06/2021 10:20

Gosh their twitter is full of complaints. What annoys me though is they actually answer some question on there. But nowhere does it say , contact us on twitter. Just another gripe with them.

Swipe left for the next trending thread