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Original poster

Is this for real?

31 replies

peterpepe · 20/02/2023 15:19

Either I've missed this completely or it's a scam. Those who passed driving test pre 301; have to renew?

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dvla-driving-test-check-b2285642.html DVLA issues £1,000 warning to every driver who passed their test before 2014

OP posts:
Original poster
peterpepe · 20/02/2023 15:19

*Pre 2014 that is supposed to say

OP posts:
Circumferences · 20/02/2023 15:20

Everyone has always had to renew their licenses every ten years I thought. Like a passport.

Circumferences · 20/02/2023 15:20

You don't need to take a test or anything, just send your form off.

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Driving & parking
TheGriffle · 20/02/2023 15:21

It doesn’t mean you have to take your test again, it’s the photo part that expires every 10 years I believe so you just have to send off a new photo for an up to date card.

Franklin2000 · 20/02/2023 15:21

Driving licenses only last 10 years. You then need to renew with DVLA. It’s £20 I think. It doesn’t mean you have to re do your test, just getting a new licence. Check yours for an expiry date.

Mortimermay · 20/02/2023 15:22

Yes there's an expiry date on your driving licence. It's so you can update your photo as well, like a passport.

APlaceOfGreaterSafety · 20/02/2023 15:25

It’s about renewing the photo on the license.

You need a new photo every 10 years, just like with passports.
You don’t need to do the test again.

AlwaysLatte · 20/02/2023 15:29

I didn't know that either! Thanks v much - just checked and it expires next year. My husband still has a paper licence with no expiry date so I assumed mine would be the same!

Alwayswithalacrity · 20/02/2023 15:30

People who have an older style paper licence (pre photo card) only need to renew once they reach 70.

Alwayswithalacrity · 20/02/2023 15:33

@AlwaysLatte Your husbands should have an expiry date (on his 70th Birthday) That’s what mine has

LakeTiticaca · 20/02/2023 15:40

Not a scam but it is a scam in the respect that with a paper licence it doesn't expire. You don't have to pay every 10 years for renewal. I updated to a photo licence about 7 years ago I wish I hadn't bothered tbh

VogueDarling · 20/02/2023 15:44

You always need to renew your licence

This article is reminding people to do so surely or risk a fine

YogaLite · 20/02/2023 15:44

I also still have a paper licence so no faff with photos and renewals.

OhNoNotThatAgain · 20/02/2023 15:54

If they are going to fine people, then they need to send out reminders. My work colleague has just discovered that his ran out before Christmas, so he is renewing it today, but what if he hadn't realised?

When you're middle-aged, you don't very often need to use your driving licence for photo id (like young people often do when buying alcohol for instance), and I know I never keep mine on me. It is in a drawer upstairs, and a date ten years hence is a long time to have to remember.

BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn · 20/02/2023 15:55

Why would The Independent be running a scam?

MyriadOfTravels · 20/02/2023 16:06

But the DVLA sends you a reminder to renew your driving licence anyway??

At loss as to what the problem is tbh.

MyriadOfTravels · 20/02/2023 16:08

Or why the Independent felt the need to write a scary article about something that is pretty normal and never an issue?

Slow day?
Need for a catch title?

YukoandHiro · 20/02/2023 16:08

That's such a weird article - but you have to renew every 10 years, so yes, you need to do it now if you haven't don't it recently

chelle0 · 20/02/2023 16:10

I thought everyone knew this?

SoupDragon · 20/02/2023 16:14

it is renewing the photo card, not your licence. The licence doesn't really expire, just the photo.

Easy to renew online if you have a passport as they just take the photo from that.

Jijithecat · 20/02/2023 16:20

OhNoNotThatAgain · 20/02/2023 15:54

If they are going to fine people, then they need to send out reminders. My work colleague has just discovered that his ran out before Christmas, so he is renewing it today, but what if he hadn't realised?

When you're middle-aged, you don't very often need to use your driving licence for photo id (like young people often do when buying alcohol for instance), and I know I never keep mine on me. It is in a drawer upstairs, and a date ten years hence is a long time to have to remember.

I received a reminder from the DVLA three months before mine was due to expire. Does the DVLA have your colleague's current address? If not that is something else "they could" receive a fine for.
Or perhaps it simply got lost/delayed in the post.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 20/02/2023 16:23

I passed my driving test in 1991 and have renewed it several times since! My guest one was paper, but I think I've had a photocard since around 1999, which is what needs renewing every 10 years.

mrsbyers · 20/02/2023 16:25

Just filled my form in today , thought I’d better change my name too as I’ve been married a decade

Bunnykins34 · 20/02/2023 16:29

My photo driving licence expires in April (10 yrs), i received a reminder letter on Saturday from the DVLA to renew.
Just renewed it online today, fill form in, popped passport number in and they use your passport photo for your new card....cost for an online renewal is £14.00, think its £21.50 if you do it at the Post Office.
Due to arrive within the next 2 weeks. Simple and easy to do 😀

Oigetoffmylawn · 20/02/2023 16:29

OhNoNotThatAgain · 20/02/2023 15:54

If they are going to fine people, then they need to send out reminders. My work colleague has just discovered that his ran out before Christmas, so he is renewing it today, but what if he hadn't realised?

When you're middle-aged, you don't very often need to use your driving licence for photo id (like young people often do when buying alcohol for instance), and I know I never keep mine on me. It is in a drawer upstairs, and a date ten years hence is a long time to have to remember.

They do. About a month before it expires. Then a week after it has expired and a final warning a month after if has expired.