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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Then though, my licence could be a good couple of months out of date and I'd have apparently not done anything about it...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

morelikeaclubsandwich · 07/05/2020 23:32

@nikkylou did you get one at the post office? I'm in a similar position can't renew online

Rosebel · 08/05/2020 01:59

You can't do it over the counter if it's out of date, you have to get the form. I can't renew mine because the photo booth is out of order at the Post Office and the others,are locked. But I thought mine was out of date the end of last month but I was a day out so they said they couldn't do it over the counter. You can do it online if you have a passport.
But if you need to drive for work or to get food then it's essential as you're not supposed to drive without a,licence, but you can drive while it's being processed.

Whitegrenache · 08/05/2020 02:26

I realised yesterday when filling in forms for my new employer that my licence card had expired at end of March
I had no idea and no reminder from DVLA

I renewed on line but it cost £79 ish

returnofthemollymawks · 08/05/2020 03:16

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.

My Ds's license has a picture of him when he was 13

MrsFezziwig · 08/05/2020 04:10

I had the same issue last month - waiting for a reminder by post to renew the photocard. When it got to the day before expiry I realised the reminder was never going to come!

I presume you’ve checked that the Post Office you are going to can do the renewal (check it out on the Post Office website, it says what services each branch offers). Mine was quite close but also has a photo booth so they will take a suitable photo (I didn’t have one which had been taken in the last five years which is what is required). Cost was £21.50 and they take your photo card and give you a receipt so you’ve got proof it has been applied for.

The Gov.uk website is still saying they send reminders in the post. Clearly they don’t, certainly not at the moment.

MrsFezziwig · 08/05/2020 04:10

@Whitegrenache why did your renewal cost so much? - just wondering as the site at the top of the Google search for “renew driving licence” is called applyukdrivinglicence.co.uk and basically is one of those sites (like for passports) which you need to beware of as they charge a substantial fee for something which you can do for yourself through the official channels.

redshifter · 08/05/2020 05:40

About ten years ago I renewed my licence online. It said if I have a digital passport they can use the photo from that.
I thought, great that will be easier than getting a new passport and sending it to them.
My passport only had 2 years left till it expired. When I recieved the new licence it only lasted for 2 years.
I wish the DVLA had made this clear that this would happen as I didnt notice the expiry date. I only noticed when showing my licence for a new job 4 years later.

Original poster

nikkylou · 08/05/2020 08:55

Yes I managed to do it. Picked up the form from the post office that had them, and got a photo from the supermarket, as their machine was broken.

Form already sent. The paperwork once I had it said I was fine to drive while I wait, but I've taken a photo of my license front and back just in case and sent it recorded just so I had proof of postage.

I sent it last Monday and haven't had it back yet, but can't imagine its gonna be too speedy...

It was £17, but the post office if their machine was working would have been 21.50 including a photo, which techincally is cheaper when you consider the photo booths are about 6 quid...

OP posts:

Whitegrenache · 08/05/2020 09:05

@MrsFezziwig thanks so much you are absolutely right! Total scam...

Thanks to you I have cancelled it and will get a refund

MrsFezziwig · 08/05/2020 10:42

Glad you got sorted White. I knew there were these sorts of scams with passports but didn’t realise until yesterday that they were doing it with driving licences as well.

Sceptre86 · 08/05/2020 12:14

I had to renew my provisional. I got the application before lockdown and it has been 4 weeks but no response. I contacted the dvla who couldn't even say if they had received it as they only put your details on the system when they open it. I wouldn't bother sending them any applications at the moment as you wont get a response for ages.

As previous posters have said you can still drive. Renew the photo card once lockdown is over.

1555CC · 08/05/2020 12:15

If the driver has a current passport, you can renew online, with your passport number, and they link to it and use that photo. Cost is £14.

PammieDooveOrangeJoof · 08/05/2020 12:19

I did mine at the post office March 30th and it arrived yesterday so don’t worry if it takes a while. You can still drive whilst you are waiting for it to come.

MrsFezziwig · 09/05/2020 11:18

Thanks Pammie that’s helpful to give an idea of the timescale - I didn’t renew mine until 17th April so it seems I’m probably looking at another 3 weeks or so - not a worry though as I’ve got the receipt.

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