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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driving licence expired help!

79 replies

BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 11:47

Just reliezed my driving licence is 3 years out of bloody date!!!
I haven't been driving for two years but that's not the point. I feel so stupid. It's a photo ID card, will I have to pay the £1,000 fine and retake my test?
I'm devastated at how stupid I've been! Sat in tears, never received a reminder and it's been shoved in my purse and never needed. BlushSad
I'm going to the post office this afternoon to get the forms and have my photo done and immediately send it off.

OP posts:
TeaStory · 10/02/2022 11:49

You may get fined but you won’t have to retake your test. You should have had a reminder when the old one expired - is your address not up to date?

thewhatsit · 10/02/2022 11:50

Mine expired once and I also realised pretty late and just renewed it? Didn’t realise there was a fine Blush.. nothing happened.
Going to find my licence now and check it hasn’t happened again!
(NB I hate driving and don’t so I’m not driving with an expired licence)

Original poster
BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 11:50

Address is up to date. Never recieved a reminder, I did have problems with my post going missing for a while though guessing my reminder was with that. Sad
I feel so stupid.

OP posts:
User0610134049 · 10/02/2022 11:51

I realised mine was a year out of date
(Also address was old so no reminders).
Just went online and did the renewal, really easy. Came very shortly after.
Don’t worry just apply now for the renewal.
They used the photo and signature from my passport so didn’t even have to faff about sorting out a photo.

Original poster
BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 11:52

@thewhatsit

Mine expired once and I also realised pretty late and just renewed it? Didn’t realise there was a fine Blush.. nothing happened. Going to find my licence now and check it hasn’t happened again! (NB I hate driving and don’t so I’m not driving with an expired licence)
That's reassuring, hopefully I can just renew and be okay. Do I have to get someone who knows me to sign my photo? I can't do it online I don't have a passport.
OP posts:
MorningStarling · 10/02/2022 11:53

You won't have to retake test because your entitlement to drive lasts from the day you pass your test until your 70th birthday (you have to renew it then).

The photocards are valid for 10 years after which time you have to renew them.

If you haven't been (caught) driving you may get away without a fine, but it's hard to know for sure.

Silverswirl · 10/02/2022 11:53

@BuritoCat

Address is up to date. Never recieved a reminder, I did have problems with my post going missing for a while though guessing my reminder was with that. Sad I feel so stupid.
Nothing will happen. Just go online and renew it. Takes 10 mins!?
Auntieobem · 10/02/2022 11:53

You'd only get fined if you are caught driving with an expired licence. If its more than 3 years out of date you might have to retake your test

MorningStarling · 10/02/2022 11:54

Do I have to get someone who knows me to sign my photo?

Last time I renewed, I didn't have to get it signed. I think that's only if you look significantly different in the new photo. I could be wrong, it was 8 years ago.

ApolloandDaphne · 10/02/2022 11:54

www.gov.uk/renew-photo-driving-licence

Here is the info. You don't need to have the photo signed.

Original poster
BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 11:54

Haven't been caught driving as thankfully I've been choosing public transport over driving and I'm a very safe driver (people get angry as I'm one of those who stick to speed limits lol). Luckily I wasn't that stupid. Ughh. Just so angry with myself.

OP posts:
icannotbebothered · 10/02/2022 11:55

Well OP if it makes you feel any better, your post made me look at my driving license and it expired in September 21! Ffs!!

Theoldcuriosityshop · 10/02/2022 11:55

I didn't need anyone to sign my photo. I just sent my old one back and within 48hrs I had my new licence.

MiniatureHotdog · 10/02/2022 11:55

If you don't have a passport it's a phaff to renew, you have to go to certain post offices to have your picture taken. I had to go to one 40 mins away it was a right pain (mine wasn't expired but was due to).

Original poster
BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 11:55

@ApolloandDaphne

https://www.gov.uk/renew-photo-driving-licence

Here is the info. You don't need to have the photo signed.

Brilliant thank you means I can go post office today and sort it all out then.

Can I just say I lost my old licence? Will they really want it back? I'm worrying incase they reliese Blush

OP posts:
thewhatsit · 10/02/2022 11:56

Ah mine was simple so because when I went online to renew my driving licence my passport photo just flashed up and it asked if I wanted to use that one, sorry.

I have just renewed my passport however and I didn’t need to ask a friend to counter sign, I guess they will just compare old to new photos. We did need a counter signature for DC but that’s all online now so it sends your designated person an email - much more simple.

MusicByTheLake · 10/02/2022 11:57

Mine also expired once, by a couple of years, as did my partners. We renewed them when we realised, no fine or retaking of tests.
You’re renewing it today, it will be fine.

Hadjab · 10/02/2022 11:57

You won’t get fined. Mine was out of date by two years, it was a paper version, and I hadn’t updated it with my ‘new’ address. Sent off for a replacement with no issues.

MiniatureHotdog · 10/02/2022 11:58

It does seem to suggest you can do it by post though. I can't remember now why I couldn't do that. So maybe you can do it by post.

You definitely can't do it online without a passport though.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 10/02/2022 12:00

I was a couple of years over. Nothing happened. I had even hired a car with it in that period.

pieonthesofa · 10/02/2022 12:01

So many dramatic responses on here honestly it's borderline hysteria.

My driving licence was expired for about a year. I also hadn't updated the address (moved 2 years before it expired).

My passport has also expired.

I just went to a post office that has the driving licence service, which was only 15 minutes away for me. They took a new photo, I gave them my new address, paid about £20(?) and had a new one through the post in a couple of weeks. No. Drama.

PheasantsNest · 10/02/2022 12:01

Don't panic OP. They could fine you but it's very unlikely. Just get it sent off. If it's a paper application you may be waiting a while to get it back. They were working about 3 months behind.

Original poster
BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 12:01

Thanks everyone so let me get this right my licence is fine just my photo I'd is out of date?
I obviously won't drive until I get my new one but still I panic with stuff like this I'm not good with paperwork. 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
PheasantsNest · 10/02/2022 12:02

Yes that's right.

Original poster
BuritoCat · 10/02/2022 12:04

Brilliant thank you. Going to sort myself out no more tears and get myself to the post office!

It really helps to know I'm not alone in this. @icannotbebothered I hope you get yours sorted too, sorry for the reminder! X

OP posts: