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Original poster

Changing to a photo driving licence

58 replies

TeenDivided · 29/07/2022 11:34

DH and I are thinking of changing our old paper based driving licences for photo ID ones.
We don't otherwise have photo id, and we don't like having to take passports to places when it's needed. Our passports need renewing next year and if the current delays continue we could be left for some time with no ID.
The main downside we know about is we'll have to get them renewed every 10 years, but that will only be 2 or 3 times each.

Apart from the cost, is there anything we're missing?

OP posts:
SpacePotato · 29/07/2022 13:11

It's not really a big deal though surely?

I only did mine due to a house move and couldn't change address without swapping to photo one. I didn't even need to send a photograph with the application as they just used the one from my valid passport that they accessed online.

Original poster
TeenDivided · 29/07/2022 13:13

Well, that's what I think. Just checking there weren't any downsides that I didn't know about.

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 29/07/2022 13:16

Over 70s have to renew their driving licence every three years

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Driving & parking
MuffinMcLayLikeABundleOfHay · 29/07/2022 13:16

No, there is no downside.
My mum had been (pointlessly) avoiding a photo licence for decades too. She had to get one when she was 75 or whatever it is and now she thinks she was being stubborn for no reason.

abblie · 29/07/2022 13:22

Northern ireland driving licenses are photo I'd with paper part

Dougieowner · 29/07/2022 13:23

Until 8-months ago I had neither a passport or photo DL, my passport had expired 25yrs previously and having lived at the same address for over 30yrs I still had a paper DL.
We then sold 2-houses, bought a new one (with all associated checks), registered with new doctors etc etc and always got through ok without any photo ID.

Of course I now have a photo DL (address change).
The application process was awful taking nearly 5-months, indeed my new DL only arrived 1-week before we moved for the second time so I had to do it all again but this time it was only a couple of weeks (used existing photo).

PattyMelt · 29/07/2022 13:23

How is it done? Online?

PattyMelt · 29/07/2022 13:25

OK I googled, I'll have a go at mine online.

AppleHa · 29/07/2022 13:27

I just did mine, had been putting it off for years because I had a stupid worry that I would have to retake my test (I hadn’t driven for 20 years and had moved in the process). I didn’t of course. If you have a passport it’s very easy, they just use the same pic.

LondonQueen · 29/07/2022 13:39

I thought everyone had a photo card these days! I didn't think the paper parts were still valid.

Original poster
TeenDivided · 29/07/2022 13:42

If I do it now, it will have my passport photo from 9 years ago on it.
That sounds like a reason to do it before passport renewal.

London iirc when they were first brought in there were 2 parts, but now the modern ones only have the plastic bit. My licence predates all of that and is 25 years old from when I married.

OP posts:
Dougieowner · 29/07/2022 13:56

LondonQueen · 29/07/2022 13:39

I thought everyone had a photo card these days! I didn't think the paper parts were still valid.

The paper ones are still perfectly valid, you just can't get it replaced like for like if any of your details change.

Confuzzlediddled · 29/07/2022 13:59

One advantage is you have a card that fits nicely in your purse!

BarbaraofSeville · 29/07/2022 14:14

But if you carry it around with you and your bag gets lost or stolen, the thief has your keys and your home address.

I still do it, but it's something I do worry about.

limitedperiodonly · 29/07/2022 14:15

A young man at a bank advised me that that my paper driving licence wasn't legal and I might get prosecuted if I didn't get a new one. He was only trying to help I suppose but I was annoyed because he was talking crap but he clearly thought I was senile and was making it up as he went along for my own good. Maybe he even believed it but when I asked what happens to people who can't drive so didn't have any kind of licence he said that didn't count.

Anyway, a photo driving licence is good as an acceptable form of photo ID though and it is worth getting one. But I have others so don't need one. I have managed to open bank accounts and stuff and am still not in jail. But maybe that's because the law hasn't caught up with me yet.

Blowyourowntrumpet · 29/07/2022 14:37

I’ve still got a paper one issued in 1989. Just don’t want to pay for a new one

BlueThursday · 29/07/2022 16:28

My in laws still have their paper o Ed. When they go to the council tip they have to take their passports and council tax bill

PattyMelt · 29/07/2022 19:27

LondonQueen · 29/07/2022 13:39

I thought everyone had a photo card these days! I didn't think the paper parts were still valid.

Apparently the paper one doesn't expire until you are 70 and if you don't change address then no need to get a photo one (but it's handy for ID) I'll also lose the bits on it that say I can haul a trailer and things like that not that I ever have

User639921 · 29/07/2022 19:41

DH did for ID, it's a lot easier and cheaper to replace a lost driving licence than a passport, he didn't like taking his passport out for things like click and collect which you sometimes need ID for

PattyMelt · 29/07/2022 19:51

Thank you all I finally did mine, took about 10 minutes online.

Crocky · 29/07/2022 20:12

Don’t you have to pay to change it and then remember to renew every ten years and have to pay again? My old paper licence just sits in a drawer merrily being valid without me having to pay for or remember anything.

BurscoughBooths · 29/07/2022 20:26

Crocky · 29/07/2022 20:12

Don’t you have to pay to change it and then remember to renew every ten years and have to pay again? My old paper licence just sits in a drawer merrily being valid without me having to pay for or remember anything.

Exactly! I’m not paying the government to get a plastic card when I have a perfectly good paper licence which is valid until I’m 70.

The only thing I’m missing out on is hiring an electric scooter from Voi, as the company insists on a plastic licence being registered. Don’t care, I only wanted to have a go so tried the one that DS hired.

cherrypiepie · 29/07/2022 21:16

Can you do it online? I had to send paper copies when I changed name and it took 12 weeks. This was last October.

I got a new passport in February it too less than 10 days. Now it has gone into meltdown.

Sandysandwich · 29/07/2022 21:34

Could you just get other ID like a PASS card? They are about £15 and then you could leave your licence alone.

Original poster
TeenDivided · 30/07/2022 07:39

Well, as no one came up with unexpected negatives I've just applied. Very easy to do and 'only' £20. I'll see how long it takes to arrive. £2 a year for valid ID without having to take my passport will be worth it.
Thank you all for your comments.

OP posts:
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