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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not return my expired driving license photocard to the DVLA?

38 replies

tribyootband · 26/04/2023 13:54

I've just renewed my driving license photocard as it was coming up for its 10 year expiry. The instructions say I should now cut up the old one and send it to the DVLA, but they don't include a postage-paid envelope. People questioning this on Twitter have been told the DVLA do accept unstamped envelopes, but they advise you to use a stamp to avoid it going astray. Aibu to just put it in the bin instead?

OP posts:
Nordicrain · 26/04/2023 13:56

To save the cost of a stamp?

YABU. This is just part of having a drivers licence OP. If you don't want to follow the rules, just don't have one.

NewNameNigel · 26/04/2023 13:57

I'd just keep it and see if they chase.

HangingOver · 26/04/2023 13:58

I forgot to send my provisional back when I changed my address and nothing happen

mycoffeecup · 26/04/2023 13:58

I just cut mine up and put it in the bin.
If they come back just say you put it in the postbox - must have got lost in the post. Unless they're paying for tracked delivery what does it matter?

OhmygodDont · 26/04/2023 13:59

I’ve got two technically valid ones. One worth my old address and one my new address. I just forgot about it at the back of my purse tbh.

MintJulia · 26/04/2023 14:00

I applied for my new licence yesterday. I'm supposed to have cut the old licence in two and returned to them, but I will only do that when the new one arrives. I don't think any govt department is particularly reliable at the moment.

But when the new one arrives, it'll only cost 75p. Second class, unrecorded.

I'm not sure I see the issue.

Sameiam · 26/04/2023 14:02

I didn’t send mine back and no issues. When I had to get another one after address change again they wouldn’t post it until they’d received my (new) old one back, so clearly flags something in the system.

OhmygodDont · 26/04/2023 14:02

What is the purpose of returning them though? Genuinely. Like I’ve paid for it, I should get to keep it if I want to. Just like I don’t get having to return old passports.

Sleepyandconfused · 26/04/2023 14:03

I never sent one back. They never checked.

Hugasauras · 26/04/2023 14:05

I've never returned any of mine. No one has ever said anything or followed it up Grin

Neededanewuserhandle · 26/04/2023 14:05

Seems a daft requirement that's not enforced. So standard Uk admin.

pinkpirlie · 26/04/2023 18:54

I have several old driving licences in my possession. I never return them. Never once been chased going back 10+ years.
They are great for keeping in wallet for ID when out (collecting parcels, alcohol if younger, etc) so you don't accidentally lose the proper one.

Roselilly36 · 26/04/2023 19:18

return it, otherwise you could risk being fined.

Gymithoughtyousaidgin · 26/04/2023 19:19

I have never sent mine back and never had an issue

EmmaEmerald · 26/04/2023 19:20

OhmygodDont · 26/04/2023 14:02

What is the purpose of returning them though? Genuinely. Like I’ve paid for it, I should get to keep it if I want to. Just like I don’t get having to return old passports.

I just had to do this
except I can't recall if I did it due to postal strike. I'm guessing nothing will happen, why should it?

kenyaswhiterefrigerator · 26/04/2023 19:20

Two expired here. Never sent one back. Nothing happened.

Doggymummar · 26/04/2023 19:20

I've never returned mine, and they send your old passport back when you renew so you don't return that either.

Meredusoleil · 26/04/2023 19:22

I had to renew mine late last year and also found this a bit odd. I did actually comply and cut up the old licence and post it back to the DVLA, but was thinking I probably could have just kept it and nothing would have happened!

13Bastards · 26/04/2023 19:23

I've got about 4 knocking around the house. I've never sent one back until I needed to change my name

Kablea · 26/04/2023 19:27

I’ve never returned any of mine. Why would you get fined? You don’t get fined if you’ve lost it.

Fandabedodgy · 26/04/2023 19:27

I just put mine in the bin

Original poster
tribyootband · 26/04/2023 20:02

OhmygodDont · 26/04/2023 14:02

What is the purpose of returning them though? Genuinely. Like I’ve paid for it, I should get to keep it if I want to. Just like I don’t get having to return old passports.

I'm guessing they shred them, but I can do that myself with a pair of scissors. If they recycle them then they should say so, because that would incentivise me to return it.

OP posts:
OhmygodDont · 26/04/2023 20:10

Roselilly36 · 26/04/2023 19:18

return it, otherwise you could risk being fined.

Fined for what though? I’ll just say I posted it and it got lost. Prove I didn’t.

Its stupidity. Red tape for the sake of red tape. Plus I paid this plastic piece of rubbish.

bloodywhitecat · 26/04/2023 20:14

I've still got DH's, no-one has ever coming knocking for it and, if they do, I will say it's been sent back.

LeggyLinda · 26/04/2023 20:15

Your post has got me thinking. I renewed mine last year and I don’t recall being asked to send the old one back. But my memory of such things has been shocking recently.
I do know that I’m the kind of person that follows instructions like this to the letter, so if that’s what it says I must’ve done that.
But, if anything, I thought I had to send the old one off first?

I do know I did it online and they used passport photo and then sent instructions via email. Maybe that is why I thought I had sent the old one back first?
I’m going a bit crazy I think - imagine forgetting something like that. I really hoped I could add something and help.