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Original poster

Renewing a drivers licence at the Post Office - do they let you keep your old licence?

27 replies

idonotmind · 13/02/2023 14:25

Need to get mine renewed and it says online that they send your old one back to the DVLA for you - is this mandatory?

Seems odd, you'll be driving without a physical card on you? Or do they give you a letter that explains it's under renewal?

OP posts:
HamHand · 13/02/2023 14:26

I was behind someone in the post office queue doing this, they said to take a picture of the old license before it was sent off

mrsmoppp · 13/02/2023 14:28

Literally just sent mine off along with my marriage certificate. Didn't even occur to me that it would me an issue not having it

BamBamBilla · 13/02/2023 14:28

You don't have to carry your license every time your driving.

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Driving & parking
frenchnoodle · 13/02/2023 14:28

If you get stopped by the police you explain its being renewed and they tell you to bring it into the station within two weeks.

You don't need the licence on you to drive your car.

SoupDragon · 13/02/2023 14:29

You don't need a physical card in order to drive. Police would check computerised records if you don't have the card because it's being renewed.

CatOnTheChair · 13/02/2023 14:30

We had to sign a declaration when renewing online to say we would send the old one back. Not quite sure what they would do if you didn't tho.

Samcro · 13/02/2023 14:30

i was told to take a photo of it and given a receipt. so I the police had stopped me I had that.

ApolloandDaphne · 13/02/2023 15:12

I hardly ever carry my licence with me when I'm driving. It's in my purse but I mostly use my phone to pay for things so don't take my purse out often.

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 13/02/2023 15:13

I renewed mine at the post office, they offered to send my old one back to dvla for me.

Keep the receipt and show that if you're stopped.

WrendaleCountryDogs · 13/02/2023 17:58

My driving license lives in fire proof box in my house. It's never been in my car

fatoneatthegym · 13/02/2023 18:59

You've just reminded me I need to send my old one back to the DVLA. Do I literally just put it in an envelope addressed to the DVLA and that's it? I've got my new one already.

SunshineAndFizz · 13/02/2023 19:00

Just done mine. They take your old licence off you but give you a receipt in case you're stopped.

Augend23 · 13/02/2023 19:02

My major use for my driving licence is a convenient form of ID (i.e. not having to lug my passport everywhere) so while one might not have to have it on you to drive, not having it at all could be pretty inconvenient.

jannier · 13/02/2023 19:03

If you have a current passport do it online had my new licence in 4 days.

SunshineAndFizz · 13/02/2023 19:04

It only took 3 or 4 days to get the new licence in the post (using Post Office).

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 13/02/2023 19:04

CatOnTheChair · 13/02/2023 14:30

We had to sign a declaration when renewing online to say we would send the old one back. Not quite sure what they would do if you didn't tho.

Nothing happens if you don't. I have two old ones. My third, I renewed at the PO and she took it off me.

PriamFarrl · 13/02/2023 19:06

You send the old one back when you receive the new one. (I’ve not sent mine back as I don’t know where I’ve put it. It was 6 months ago and no one has said anything yet).

Marmite27 · 13/02/2023 19:08

The post office gave me a receipt that said license renewal on it, and said to show the police that if I needed to until the new one came. It only took a few days.

Original poster
idonotmind · 13/02/2023 19:46

Thank you so much for all the replies - very reassuring!

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 13/02/2023 19:57

Really important to remember to return the old license cut in two, you risk a fine otherwise.

2chocolateoranges · 13/02/2023 20:28

I did mine online last year, totally forgot to send old one back! Nothing has been said about it.

mrsmoppp · 28/02/2023 22:15

Anyone had theres back yet?

Chorr12 · 13/11/2024 08:41

I have sent my Driving licence for renwal after a year of it expired and sent it through the post office. I was wondering how long will it take. I know it said 3 weeks on there website but want personal experience please.

SiobhanSharpe · 13/11/2024 08:45

I renewed online and held onto my old license until the new one arrived. I sent it back but I'm sure I didn't cut it in half....

SiobhanSharpe · 13/11/2024 08:46

Mine took around a week.

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