Check Your Driving Licence

Thanks, mine expires in 2 months! Mrs Mouse's has expired and she didn't receive any kind of notification. (She doesn't actually drive a vehicle at the moment)

Think expiry date is because they want you to renew the photo every 10 years or something like that. Licence qualifications expire at age 70 when you need you get medical OK every 3 years thereafter I believe.

 

Had to renew mine last year.

 

It's also worth pointing out that if you use Google to search about renewing driving license the first thing you will be presented with is a ad for a scam site. Make sure you go to the government site.

 

What is this "photo card" licence of which you speak? I still have the green paper one! Runs out on my 70th.

 

I understand that the licence is valid for ten years and even if you move house in that time and apply for a change of address, the licence will still expire ten years from its original issue irrespective of the change of address amendment. I always take a copy of mine before returning anything to the DVLA as the Motorcycle entitlement has a nasty habit of disappearing. I lost count of the number of customers at my training school who had been riding having updated their licence which was returned without the bike entitlement and as such they were riding without a licence unless they could prove that they had previously had it.

 

Though the photocard driving licence needs to be renewed every 10 years, in general paper driving licences (pink or blue) are valid until you're 70, after which it needs renewing every three years. If you only need to update your address or name, or you're over 70 and you're just renewing it, this is free, although if changing address and you have the paper licence (pink or blue) you will receive a new photo credit card sized licence that you have to legally renew every ten years. When you reach 70 and apply online for a new licence then the following will happen, it lasts for 3 years only and a new application has to be made, also any entitlement to drive a mini bus or heavy truck (non HGV) will be removed, the way to keep these entitlements is to make a paper application, there is however a very long delay, furthmore if your licence expires before the new one arrives you can't legally drive on public roads, and the Court's take a very dim view of driving without a valid licence. I have all my old licences, the old red book, blue and green paper ones just for sentimentality really, although they are no bloody use. Contrary to what a lot of people think a driving licence is a privilege and not a right. Ride safe all.

 

I can't believe this, checked mine and it expired in Sep 20..! However, it looks like anything that expired that year got an extension for 11 months because of covid, but also states you should get a reminder, Well I haven't any reminder. Trying to renew now.

Thanks for the warning.

 

Thx, just looked at mine and it expires next June

 

thanks, i just checked mine got a couple of years left, I'll have to put a note in my diary

 

I’ve just done that…01.08.2024. In a few years time I will be so impressed with my powers of organisation….
Thanks for the heads up Johne

 

Mine came up for renewal a few months back, I did get a reminder. Had to pay for a 10yr renewal however I turn 70 in 3 years, think I ought to get a refund!
It seems licence renewal is free for us oldies, shame I can't keep C1 & D1 without hassle though.

 

Don't suppose you had a change of address or entitlement in 4/10/13? (issue date could be when something changed)
..........unless you're 70th is 18/11/21?

 

TOP TIP (you probably do this anyway)
Take a photograph of both sides of the licence when doing any transaction with DVLA, address change, renewal, whatever. That way you have proof of your categories/entitlements, it’s not unknown for motorcycle group etc to get missed and without proof of test pass (which none of us keep) your screwed. There were some well publicised cases a few years ago, one I believe was a mechanic working in a police workshop, and he had to start from scratch to get his group A reinstated.

 

17/12/23 so ok for now but will need to make a note as there's no way I'll remember. Thanks for the heads up

 

Can’t remember when I got my current licence. I think I will need to double check when it needs renewed

 

The mechanic working for the Police was supported through the Police HR department, they provided the DVLA with a copy of the paperwork including a photo copy of the mechanics licence clearly showing his licence and entitlements when he took up his post, DVLA would not budge, stating their records show he was not entitled to ride motorcycles and refused to re instate the entitlement, hence he had to take a re test. Even the photocopy and letter from the Police to DVLA did no good so god help anyone else when such a mistake happens, a similar case I know of personally with a sworn affidavit from a Solicitor confirming his entitlement failed to re instate the persons motorcycle entitlement. There appears to be complete intransigence to rectify mistakes within the DVLA when things go wrong. Personally I never send the DVLA my Licence when changing anything, I keep it for proof if ever needed. By all means return the old one when you have the correct entitlements on your new or replacement licence, ride safe all.