Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driving licence expired help!

39 replies

TwinklyGiraffe · 17/01/2018 15:20

AIBU or will I have to resit my test?

I’m so worried about this, please don’t tell me how stupid I am as I know this already.

I moved house and never thought to inform DVLA so licence had old address on it. My licence expired August 2017 and this has only come to light as I’ve bought a new car and the finance company need to contact DVLA to confirm I have a licence number.

I didn’t get a renewal letter as my address has changed.

Have been reading about the penalties I can face, £1000 fine and having to sit my test again. Shock

I really feel sick at the thought of this. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’ve sent all the renewal stuff back to them but am fully expected it to be sent back to me again.

I’m so so worried 😟

OP posts:
stickytoffeevodka · 17/01/2018 19:26

YY they do.

I got reminded about three months before mine expired.

barefoofdoctor · 17/01/2018 19:31

I only just got a card license-been living on a boat/at Uni etc so no fixed abode. Was slightly worried as been at my forever home for 4 years but DVLA folks were lovely on the phone and couldn't give a toss. They aren't cunts like HMRC/the Benefits Nazis who try to trip you up/fuck you over then treat you like a criminal even when you 've done nothing wrong so relax.

GlomOfNit · 27/09/2019 09:56

Sorry sorry for resurrecting a Zombie Thread, but ...

I just realised (whilst trying to fill in a DBS check form for school volunteering) that my photocard is waaay out of date. It's not ever been renewed (I was a late starter to driving, FWIW) and expired in 2012... it also has my old address on and naturally, a photo of me, pre-kids, that looks dewy and bambi-like in comparison to the dried-out husk of a woman typing now. Grin

Obviously I need to get this sorted NOW. This sort of bureaucratic nightmare sets my anxiety off and if I'm honest, at the back of my mind I did sort of know about the change of address thing but I'm a colossal idiot with my head in the sand and conveniently forgot. Luckily I've never been pulled over, eh?

Has anyone else been this stupid/negligent, and what happened? Did they fine your arse off? Court??? Shock or do you just renew the card as if nothing was wrong? Please be kind, I know I'm an idiot.

Goldenhedgehogs · 27/09/2019 13:09

You will be fine, only a problem if you have an accident or are pulled by the police. My husband swerved and avoided an accident with the car in front who was driving erratically. There was a police car behind us who arrested the driver in front and asked to see husband's license. It still had our old address in Wales but we had been living in Essex for about a year. Police officer sarcastically said we were far from home and advised us to get it changed sharpish. We didn't get a fine but if we were the erratic driver I am sure we would have.

norfolkskies · 27/09/2019 13:14

i got a reminder 3 months before my photocard license expired. so yes DO send a reminder. you can renew online with a valid passport or go into a postoffice with the machine that does it (like I did).

Beesandcheese · 27/09/2019 13:43

Having got a reminder I renewed mine recently online. But not renewing when moving is very risky as you need your address to match for insurance purposes. It's a pain to do it, but worth keeping on top of.

Jmh110 · 23/06/2021 14:20

I've got a problem and am having massive anxiety. As stated in the other posts I know how silly I am but I've just been offered a new job and they need a copy of my driving licence, now the panic sets in. It's over 2 years out of date and after some Google g I read that I could have to retake my test. Tried to call dvla to no avail. Any help and advice on this situation would be very appreciated 🙏

Oldraver · 23/06/2021 14:27

@Jmh110

I've got a problem and am having massive anxiety. As stated in the other posts I know how silly I am but I've just been offered a new job and they need a copy of my driving licence, now the panic sets in. It's over 2 years out of date and after some Google g I read that I could have to retake my test. Tried to call dvla to no avail. Any help and advice on this situation would be very appreciated 🙏
Jus apply for a new one straight away
Shapesorted · 23/06/2021 14:31

DH got his new one back in 7 days earlier this month, apply today for a new one!

alishylishy · 23/06/2021 14:40

I can reassure everyone with my story!
I hadn’t driven so hadn’t kept my license up to date, I’d got married, changed my name, changed address, and my photo card was 8 years out of date and then to top it off my purse was stolen with my license in it. I posted the form along with my passport, marriage and birth certificates and my shiny new license dropped through the door a month later! I fully expected to have to resit my test, hopefully this gives reassurance to those worrying about it.

OnTheBoardwalk · 23/06/2021 22:32

Appreciate this is zombie thread but replying to Jmh110 recent post the retest is usually down to expired health or age issues

If you do the renewal at the post office they’ll give you a DVLA reference number to show that you’ve applied for the renewal

Hughbert · 23/06/2021 22:50

Every time these threads appear I get the fear. This has been on my things to do list for a while. Must. Sort. It. Out. If only I knew where my birth, marriage, divorce certificates were...

DynamoKev · 23/06/2021 23:00

They won’t fine you, they never fine anyone for that.

CanIBeACurlyGirl · 23/06/2021 23:34

Also appreciate a zombie thread, just renew your licence with an up to date picture, all will be fine

New posts on this thread. Refresh page