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Original poster

OMG I've just realised I have no driving licence - will I be fined/told off/put in prison?!

26 replies

itchyandscratchy · 19/04/2009 20:03

Have had a HORRIBLE hour as the realisation has dawned on me.... when we moved house seven years ago, I never got round to changing my address on the licence and therefore I never got one of the new photo licences !!!!

In my defence, shortly after moving house I was hospitalised for AGES having dd1 and then when she arrived everything went bonkers and the licence was forgotten.

How to I apply for a new one given the circumstances? What will happen to me when I have to admit I never renewed it? Will I have to take my test again??? Please NO....

OP posts:
scienceteacher · 19/04/2009 20:04

Do you have a paper licence?

If so, you can send it off with a change of address.

I don't have a photo licence - they are voluntary for folks who passed their test before they were introduced.

LauriefairycakeeatsCupid · 19/04/2009 20:05

I've never changed mine. Might get round to it one day, still have my old paper license with my old address on it from 15 years ago

no, you won't have to take your test again providing it's a full license

NotmyELFtoday · 19/04/2009 20:06

IIRC you can get in trouble for not changing the address.
I would phone DVLA tomorrow. I suspect that you will just have to fill in a zillion forms to get a new one

RockinSockBunnies · 19/04/2009 20:07

Um...I wouldn't worry too much. You won't have to take your test again.

I know I never updated mine after moving a few times. I think in the end I called the DVLA, told them I'd "lost" it somewhere, and somehow got a new one with new address on it. Sorry not to be more specific.

Have a look at the DVLA website - it might give you more info!

Original poster
itchyandscratchy · 19/04/2009 20:07

I did have a paper licence... and it might be in the house somewhere. Will they take pity on me if I tell the truth or will they be all jobsworth?

OP posts:
Monkeyandbooba · 19/04/2009 20:08

It is illegal to not have a licence with your current address on, send it of and change it ASAP

Original poster
itchyandscratchy · 19/04/2009 20:08

or shall I lie about when I moved and say that it was more recently?

OP posts:
scienceteacher · 19/04/2009 20:09

Don't lie.

nancy75 · 19/04/2009 20:10

i got a photo one recently because i had lost my paper one, it was still in the address i lived at 14 years ago they didnt ask when i moved afaik, just paid the fee and got it changed

NotmyELFtoday · 19/04/2009 20:11

Dont lie, be honest, be all mortified on the phone. Phone first thing so you get somebody who hasn't been stressed out

ComeOVeneer · 19/04/2009 20:11

They will have no idea of when you moved so if you apply now they will be none the wiser. However if you are stopped and have to produce it you can be in big trouble if the adress isn't correct (I got a right bollocking from my dad - a magistrate because mine was out of date for 2 years!)

Whenever you apply for a change on a licence these days it is upgraded to a photo one if you still have the old type.

In other words you aren't in trouble yet and as long as you apply now you will be fine.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 19/04/2009 20:12

I don't think it asks when you moved. Try to find the old one, get a form from the PO and get it all sent off.

NotmyELFtoday · 19/04/2009 20:12

you can change the address online

traceybath · 19/04/2009 20:12

Just say you lost it.

Phone dvla - get the licence number which they'll give to you and then fill in the form.

et voila.

ComeOVeneer · 19/04/2009 20:13

You don't need to lie, just apply on the paperwork and get a new one. You don't have to say anything about when you moved.

ComeOVeneer · 19/04/2009 20:14

Here you go

Paper driving licence holder
When changing your name or address (or both) you?ll need to:

complete a D1 'application for a driving licence' available from the DVLA form ordering service or from any Post Office® branch
provide original documents confirming your identity
enclose a passport type photograph and your driving licence
send all your documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BN or use the premium checking service at selected Post Office® branches or DVLA local offices

jkklpu · 19/04/2009 20:18

It;s only one form which they'll send you if you phone up. There are lots of options for reasons to tick about the renewal, including change of address and want a photocard one. All very easy and very fast - they sent mine back by return of post. And you need only 1 photo. But don't put it off as you are risking a big fine if there's ever an incident that means they find out the address is wrong.

clumsymum · 19/04/2009 20:21

You don't need to lie, but you do have to get it changed.

If the police ask to see your licence and it's got your current address on it, you will get a fine (happened to my dad years ago when he got a speeding ticket, fixed penalty for speeding, and I think a bigger fine for out of date licence).

So get it done tomorrow. It says here you can apply online

Original poster
itchyandscratchy · 19/04/2009 21:04

brilliant.

don't think I can apply online without a photo as my old one was paper with no photo. Will look for it in a bit. Phew!

Thanks

OP posts:
ComeOVeneer · 19/04/2009 21:09

IandS see my post 3 below yours, it tells you exactly what you need to do - you can't apply online, but you can get the necessary paperwork online (or at the post office)

zipzap · 19/04/2009 22:06

Took me a while to realise to change mine too, but you have just made me realise, they sent it back with the title wrong - I use Ms and was very careful to make sure that this was on the form - they have just put Miss on.

Must admit have been so busy so never did get around to sending it back to them to change - should I have done? So many other people make the same mistake of assuming that I obviously can't spell Miss and putting in Miss for me instead of Ms that I got all ranty and then just got fed up so gave up fighting all of the battles and this is one of the ones that fell by the wayside.

Sorry for little hijack. Good luck getting your new license!

SlightlyMadStirrup · 19/04/2009 22:13

You seem to have your problems answered...but just to be politically correct - you DO have a driving licence - it just has the worng details on.

A driving licence with the wrong details on - although still an offence is a much lesser offience than having "no licence".

clumsymum · 20/04/2009 17:23

YES YOU CAN apply online, as long as you have a current passport. They can use your passport photo on your new licence

Original poster
itchyandscratchy · 20/04/2009 18:26

No - Passport has run out! Got to apply for that as well now. DON'T let me forget before the summer!

OP posts:
jkklpu · 20/04/2009 20:09

You just stick a photo on the DVLA form.

And for a passport renewal, you can apply online, and they send you a printed off version to sign and return with a photo and the old passport. See www.ips.gov.uk/passport/apply-online.asp for details. Make sure you follow the instructions on the photo - NO SMILING - or they send it back and you have to do it again.

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