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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not send the licence back?

35 replies

Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:06

My provisional driving licence is due to expire.

I have zero desire to drive and received a letter claiming if I don't want to learn I should return the provisional with a letter explaining that I don't want to learn to drive.

What will happen if I just don't return the provisional?
Will I be fined?

I am not driving and have no intention of ever driving

OP posts:
Deuxcaggages · 19/07/2019 11:12

Apart from the cost of a stamp, I don't see what the problem is with returning it if you have no intention using it ?

I guess you could just say you've lost it, if you feel some kind of sentimental attachment to it, beyond that I have no idea what happens if you don't return it.

Yugi · 19/07/2019 11:13

Are you using it for proof of age? Is there another alternative?

youngestisapsycho · 19/07/2019 11:14

I've had my provisional for 26 years! Why would it need to be returned.. you paid for it too I assume?

Original poster
Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:20

This will sound quite terrible, but to be utterly blunt I just can't be bothered!

I am not on the road, I never will be, why should I have to waste my time writing a blimmin letter and paying for a book of stamps (can't access the post office easily and the supermarket only offers books) to send this silly card back that I paid for, is no use to anyone and will never be used anyway!

The other slight concern I have is one of safety.
That provisional has my photo and other personal details, what if someone opens it thinking it's a credit card and uses my details?
Maybe that is silly to worry about that?

DH thinks I should just ignore but the letter makes it sound like I could be fined!
Or is that only for actually driving with it?

OP posts:
ems137 · 19/07/2019 11:21

They expire after so long don't they? Pink driving licences do after 10 years and you have to send the expiring one back and pay £10 for a new one.

Slightaggrandising · 19/07/2019 11:22

Tbf, you've spent longer on this thread than it would have taken to put it in an envelope...

RezCowgirl · 19/07/2019 11:23

Ask for refund if they want it back. You've paid for it.

Original poster
Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:23

Yes ems I've had the provisional 10 years so it's expired.

I have no use for it.
I do not want to drive so don't need a provisional or an actual licence.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:27

tbf, you've spent longer on this thread than it would have taken to put it in an envelope...

Not so.
First I have to walk to the supermarket and buy paper and envelopes to write and post the letter as I have no paper or envelopes in the house because we don't write letters, any notes go on the whiteboard on the fridge or on the phone.

Then I have to buy a book of stamps because the post office is inaccessible to me and the supermarket don't sell single stamps.

Then I have to walk back home and write the letter.

Then put the letter and licence in an envelope and write on the envelope.

Then take another walk to the post box and back home.

OP posts:
newmomof1 · 19/07/2019 11:27

You could have written the letter in the time it's taken you to write this post.
Just send it back.

newmomof1 · 19/07/2019 11:28

Cross post

But it would take you less than an hour to do all of that...

Original poster
Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:29

Will anything actually happen if I don't send it back though?

OP posts:
ElizaPancakes · 19/07/2019 11:30

I’m totally confused. Did you call them or something? My husband got a letter reminding him to renew it - he just didn’t bother. Never had any other correspondence about it.

Floralnomad · 19/07/2019 11:30

You don’t have to write a letter just cut it in half and stick it in an envelope I’m sure they will get the message . If you do that now and address the envelope then you can stick it in a box next time you are near a post office . Alternatively ask a friend or neighbour if they have a stamp you could buy off them .

Zippyx · 19/07/2019 11:32

YANBU.

Ignore it.

Original poster
Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:35

i’m totally confused. Did you call them or something? My husband got a letter reminding him to renew it - he just didn’t bother. Never had any other correspondence about it.

No, they sent the letter because it's about to expire.
I don't want to send it back for the reasons outlined above and just want to clarify if anything will actually happen to me if I just ignore and don't send it back.

Will I be fined, receive a barrage of letters etc or can I just ignore it?

They say in the letter about a fine but I'm not sure if they mean I'll be fined for not returning it or if they mean I'll be fined for using it (as it's expired)

I never use it because I don't want to drive anymore

OP posts:
stucknoue · 19/07/2019 11:37

They expire after 10 years you have to return the old one anyway, everyone does but you need to apply for a new one if you wish to keep your provisional status

Original poster
Fucksandflowers · 19/07/2019 11:46

They expire after 10 years you have to return the old one anyway

Yes but will they come after me if I don't?

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 19/07/2019 11:49

Cut up licence in small bits and put mist if the bits in the envelope that the letter came in, put the letter back in. Seal the envelope with sellotape. Ask your neighbours if you can borrow a stamp from them or write return to sender on envelope.

QforCucumber · 19/07/2019 11:49

Yes but will they come after me if I don't?

Nobody really knows, because everyone just returns them or renews them.

Call them and ask?

familycourtq · 19/07/2019 11:54

It seems like a typically wanky admin system in this country where they demand something back that is expired anyway.

It seems like a similarly typical set of responses where a load of automata pop up on this thread and say "just do what they say without question".

Unfortunately I don't know what will happen if you ignore it.

QuickThinkOfAName · 19/07/2019 12:01

If it helps when moving house I found the envelope containing dhs old driving licence which he had put in an envelope intending to send back but clearly never made it.

Nothing ever happened. He got a shiny new one with our new address on it.

PerfectPear · 19/07/2019 12:05

I never sent mine back when I moved house. Nothing has happened yet

EatingBreadAndHoney · 19/07/2019 12:09

Why do they want it back if it's expired? Confused I've had a provisional licence for 28 years and never been asked for one back.

Lucywithout · 19/07/2019 12:29

I got a new full licence (age) and never returned the old one. Lazy just chopped it in half - no comeback at all!