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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help - Driving Licence photocard

39 replies

nikkylou · 20/04/2020 14:58

I know this isnt a AIBU, but I don't really know where else to go, and hoping someone can help...

I've just realised my photocard licence expired on the 14/04. I knew it was due this year but it's not exactly been the forefront of my mind.

I definitely never received a reminder, which would apparently come about 1/2 months before expiry. I can understand that this might not be priority post for the DVLA.

Anyway that's all by the by, I've realised now. But I don't have a passport, so can't apply online.

The post office that would apparently have the form/do the renewal is not walking distance, and can't imagine this comes under essential as I'm not a key worker.

To top it off, I can't order the forms online, and I should only call the DVLA if I'm a key worker.

I don't know what to do. Do I drive to the post office and see if I can do the application (probably will call to confirm I can/pick up a form)?

Do you think I'll be allowed some grace if by chance today is the one occasion in my life I see a police officer AND get pulled over?

Or is this totally non-essential and I should just wait until this all blows over and I can order the forms.

Then though, my licence could be a good couple of months out of date and I'd have apparently not done anything about it...

It's probably going to be several weeks regardless before I get a new licence I imagine but at least if the application is posted I won't feel so criminal.

Obviously I'm not driving a lot at the moment but I live in a village so need to drive for food shopping etc.

OP posts:
woodencoffeetable · 20/04/2020 15:01

how far away is the post office?
up to 2 miles is definitely walking distance to an able bodied person.

tbh I would think this is an essential journey.
look up everything you need so you have everything together and don't need to do the journey again.

jimmyhill · 20/04/2020 15:01

Do you really need a physical form to do this? Can't you renew online? You can renew a passport online so surely a driving licence too

jomaIone · 20/04/2020 15:03

I would class a driving license as an essential TBH. Just drive to get your form on your way to the supermarket.

Gatehouse77 · 20/04/2020 15:03

From memory, so worth checking first.

You can renew online and they’ll use the same photo if you say you haven’t changed and are still recognisable.

Original poster
nikkylou · 20/04/2020 15:06

Nearest post office is 5/6 miles by car, as it's the next town over.

If I had the reminder, apparently that would have had the form to post, which I could do at my local...

Unfortunately by the looks of it I do need a physical form; I don't have a passport, and the online application states I need that...I assume it uses the same photo or something...

OP posts:
PleasantVille · 20/04/2020 15:09

Why wouldn't you go to the post office to get the form? If you check first and only go if they have one what's the problem? Some people are paying no attention to the rules at all I really wouldn't worry about a 10 minute trip to the post office, they are open so why wouldn't you go?

Or have I missed the point?

viques · 20/04/2020 15:14

Could you write to the DVLA, enclose a stamped addressed envelope and ask them to send you a form?

Lazypuppy · 20/04/2020 15:17

Just drive to the post office

BrightYellowDaffodil · 20/04/2020 15:19

Firstly, go on to the post office website and find one that offers driving licence renewals: www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder (select DVLA photocard renewal under 'Driving').

Pop in with your old licence (they will take it away so take some photos of it if you want to use it for ID/proof of licence) and they can do it on the spot - they take a new picture etc, it's all done over the counter, you pay £20 and wait for your new licence to arrive. They'll give you a receipt to show that you've applied for a replacement licence and you can carry on driving while you wait for the new one to show up.

I renewed mine at a post office last week and I can't imagine anyone saying it's not 'essential' travel. Personally I'd drive if I couldn't walk but if you don't want to take that risk then walk if you can.

As an aside, they don't seem to be sending out reminder letters any more. I certainly didn't receive one and it was more luck than design that I remembered it was due to expire this month!

BrightYellowDaffodil · 20/04/2020 15:20

Just seen that it's 6 miles - I'd definitely drive!

dementedpixie · 20/04/2020 15:20

It's only the photo that expires not the licence itself. Some people don't realise for years that its expired.

Online renewal can only be done if you have a current uk passport as they then use the photo from that.

user1495884620 · 20/04/2020 15:23

I think the point is that the op's driving licence has expired, not whether it is an essential journey!

SavoyCabbage · 20/04/2020 15:23

I can’t imagine how you can’t imagine that this would come under an essential trip.

user1495884620 · 20/04/2020 15:25

www.gov.uk/government/news/motorists-reminded-of-the-importance-in-renewing-their-photocard-driving-licences

Says here can't drive. I suspect there is more chance of you being pulled over at the moment because there are fewer cars on the road and police are checking for essential journeys.

1555CC · 20/04/2020 15:26

Your photocard isn't your driving licence. Your driving licence is valid to age 70, your photocard for 10 years. Two different things. If your photocard expires, you can still drive. You are committing an offence, but it's not a motoring offence, just a normal offence, like out of date tv licence, so no points on your driving licence. A max fine of £1000 (for people whose card is years out of date and who have been warned but just don't care). In your case, they wouldn't bat an eyelid, definitely not in the current circumstances. Just carry on driving, and apply as soon as you can.

WanderingMilly · 20/04/2020 15:28

I'd have said this is essential, just drive to the Post Office and pick up a form...at the same time as shopping or whatever.
I've never had a reminder myself for renewing my licence so you may not have been sent one anyway.
Just do it, I can't see the big issue to be honest.

VerbenaGirl · 20/04/2020 15:28

DVLA website currently says: “ Please do not send in any paper applications until further notice.” So I don’t think a form would do you any good right now.

1555CC · 20/04/2020 15:28

Says here can't drive.

No it doesn't. Read it properly. It actually says you can drive!!

VerbenaGirl · 20/04/2020 15:32

It’s a bit unclear as to whether you can still apply in person at the Post Office (as they might link electronically to the DVLA) - so that could be worth checking...

user1495884620 · 20/04/2020 15:34

No it doesn't. Read it properly. It actually says you can drive!!

You're right. It doesn't say you can't drive, just that the fine is £1,000. Perhaps you could tell me where it says you can drive though?

^News story
Motorists reminded of the importance in renewing their photocard driving licences

Motorists must renew their photocard licence when it expires. If they fail to renew their licence they will be breaking the law and risk a fine of up to £1,000.
Published 24 June 2013

From:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Photocard driving licence

Motorists must renew their photocard licence when it expires. If they fail to renew their licence and supply a photo that is a recent and true likeness, they will be breaking the law and may have to pay a fine of up to £1,000.

It is important that licences are renewed. Appearances can change and it is important that photocard licences are updated every 10 years to ensure the police and other enforcement agencies have the best possible photograph. This helps them correctly identify whether a driving licence is being used fraudulently and also prevents driving licence impersonation – stopping disqualified and perhaps dangerous drivers taking to the roads.

Getting a new photocard will mean that a motorist’s driving licence will contain the latest security features to protect them against fraud. It may also make things easier when they hire a car at home or abroad.

You can now apply for a driving licence online – the service is convenient, easy to use and available 24/7.

Once DVLA has received the driver’s application, the new licence should be back with them within 3 weeks.^

BrightYellowDaffodil · 20/04/2020 15:39

It’s a bit unclear as to whether you can still apply in person at the Post Office

You can, I did.

RingtheBells · 20/04/2020 15:40

Its a money making farce anyway they took my photo for my new driving licence off my passport which was nine year old, they also did the same for DS so he will have a driving licence when he is 36 with a photo on it from when he was about 17.

AlwaysCheddar · 20/04/2020 15:46

Just get the form!!

MayDayHelp · 20/04/2020 15:47

It’s fine, I had the same thing a couple of months ago and phoned the DVLA. They confirmed my licence was still valid and it was fine for me to drive. Just get it sorted as soon as you can.

Original poster
nikkylou · 20/04/2020 15:51

Thank you all, as most people said, it's the fact its expired as opposed to an essential trip, although that does factor in whether I should go in the first place.

I'll time my next trip out with a trip to the post office, and if by a stroke of bad luck, I see a police office and get pulled over, I'd hope they're understanding.

Glad to here someone renewed last week, last thing I want is to get there and be told they're not doing them! And getting a receipt to say I've applied is definitely reassuring...can cope with waiting for the card to arrive!

Disappointing they are not sending reminders...considering its 10 years between each renewal...I can imagine lots of people forgetting!

OP posts: