Absolutely fuming with renewing driving license.

[Gettingbysomehow]

AIBU?
Fucking government online licence renewing site won't accept my photo because I've lost 5 stone and my face is thinner than the rest of my IDs. I assume that's what it is they refuse to tell you and after three attempts you are out.
I have to do it online because I've had major surgery and can't drive yet.
I'll lose my job if I go back without a driving license - it's compulsory.
The nearest post office to me that does it is 10 miles away in a warren of streets with no parking and there is literally nobody to take me.
What the fuck am I supposed to do then?
Excuse the swearing I'm just so stressed.
I've just had equal shit applying for my blue badge and that's going to take 3 months to process.
I'm trying to get better so I can return to work and it's just stress and more stress.

Because if they don't have a valid passport to renew online then the fee is more at a Post Office.

Why would elderly or disabled people not have a passport!

She's just had a major operation and has no friends or family around to help. Read the thread

I don't have a passport. I am not elderly, even if you ask my dc, although tbf my dm objects to being called elderly.

Renewing at the PO is what I'd choose to do anyway-they will take the photo and check it which is helpful. Last time I was through in 5 minutes and the new licence was through within a week.

I'm sure I was able to just upload a different photo for renewing my driving license card - I was able to take a selfie with my phone, but not sure if you could with recovering from surgery

Do you have a voluntary community group near you? We have volunteer drivers that drive people to appointments for various reasons. It's a lifeline for disabled and elderly people here.

I feel your pain. I had to attend personally to get mine updated as I don't have an in date passport to use the photo from.

What I mean is I don’t see why disabled or elderly people are any less likely to have a passport than anyone else. It’s weirdly ageist and ableist for someone to think that. Of course there will be lots elderly and disabled people who don’t have passports, but lots do.

I've just tried this as we've moved house, but it won't accept it as my passport has less than a year on it (I assume that's what the problem is, they don't actually tell you!).

I'm happy to update to say I went to the post office courtesy of a Facebook friend who just happened to be off work today and offered to take me.
It was just a 5 minute job no hassle whatsoever, all they wanted was my reminder letter and the old driving license.
Then we went for a nice coffee and a piece of cake.
I have no idea why the online application has to be so long and complex.
But it also made me realise how close to the edge I've been lately, what with my illness and trying to work from home doing work I've never done before.
I realised I need to take more care of myself until I'm better.
Thanks for all the advise.

Glad you got it sorted and cake too!

Um perhaps because they don't go abroad? I'm neither elderly or disabled and I don't have a passport. My partner doesn't have one either. My parents, both elderly don't have one either and I doubt we aren't the only ones in the UK without a passport.

I have to say the only reason I got a passport 5 years ago was because it seems impossible to get anything done without one. Everybody asks for one as ID mortgages, driving licence applications everything. It just seemed impossible to survive modern life without one. I am going on holiday later on this year though.

ETA glad it's sorted out!

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the point is, is your photo passport compliant? where did you have it taken - is it a selfie or an actual photo in a proper booth.

if you go to Timpsons for example they guarantee that the photo they take of you will comply with the rules.

@Gettingbysomehow I have a paper licence valid for another 13 years, no mortgage, I now look too old to be asked for id to buy restricted items. I've got other forms of acceptable id as per gov.uk. No need for a passport if I'm not going abroad.

I’m disabled. Have to renew every ten years. To do it online I have to have a passport - difficult and expensive to travel so have never bothered with one as it’s not needed. I’m housebound and without a passport there is no other option than to go to the post office, which entails a carer to take me, and is more expensive than online renewal.

The last time I renewed the DVLA had my licence for over six months while they ‘investigated’ health conditions I’d already reported to them at onset with comprehensive medical evidence. Whenever I rang to chase it, I was given a different account of what was happening, and in the meantime the lease on my motability car was approaching renewal, which I couldn’t complete without my driving licence. It wasn’t until I approached my MP that it was sorted out. There has to be a better and less stressful way than this.

I’m severely disabled and it’s very difficult (and expensive) to travel. So I’ve never bothered with a passport because it’s another expense for something unnecessary. Now I find that I can’t apply online for a driving licence renewal without one and must pay more to have it processed by the post office. Doesn’t make any sense.

Because many don’t travel. What would be the point ?

I can't hear/read the word "fuming" without thinking of the daily mail for some reason.

This is why l have not bothered getting a photo license until l am 70

“Just get on the bus” - ha! OP, I feel for you. I’m in rural South Glos, not Somerset, and the last bus left our village around four years ago!

How did you manage that unless you didn’t learn to drive.

You dont need to change from your paper licence unless there is a need to do so e.g. if you change address or other details, at which point you'd get a photocard. The old stand alone paper licence is valid until age 70 at which point you'd need a photocard one.

Likewise. I haven't seen a bus in 5 years. I live in rural Somerset. No trains here either. Work don't understand not driving is a sackable offence here in the NHS as we could be working anywhere in the county at a moments notice. The day I go back I have to be driving or my contract is invalid. I'm going back in 6 weeks.

Oh, OP, that’s really hard. I hope now your licence is sorted at least some of the pressure is off, and you can start to properly rest up and recover from your operation. Sending you all the best for a speedy recovery and a good return to work x

Is there any evidence that elderly and disabled people travel less than the general population because they are elderly or disabled? I suspect not.