Renewing photocard driving licence, time limit?

Semiskimmed · 13 Aug 2010 at 13:57

im just wondering if anyone could shed some light on a possible problem i have.
ive not renewed my photocard licence, its been out of date for over 6 months now (as ive not been driving anyways)
but im wondering if theres a time limit or cut off point where i cant renew it anymore and have to retake the driving tests again?

any help woudl be great

JBod · 13 Aug 2010 at 13:58

Semiskimmed said:
im just wondering if anyone could shed some light on a possible problem i have.
ive not renewed my photocard licence, its been out of date for over 6 months now (as ive not been driving anyways)
but im wondering if theres a time limit or cut off point where i cant renew it anymore and have to retake the driving tests again?

any help woudl be great

Call DVLA?

Semiskimmed · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:15

JBod said:
Call DVLA?

yeah i could do, but before i get in a 30mins queue, i thought id try my luck here for a answer

Colbaker · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:19

You don't have to re-take your test, your photo card only needs renewing every 10 years because of the photo, the same as passports, If you check the expiry date on the paper part you will notice it has loads of time left (i think it will expire the day before your 70th birthday?).

I am not sure of the consequences of driving with it expired because effectively you have a licence just not an upto date photo card.

Edit: just had a look and it would seem that if your photo licence has expired the it invalidates your paper licence, you could also be fined £1000 and get points if you are stopped whilst driving, Will cost you £20 to renew, You can even do it online, Although it looks like that if your licence has expired for 2 years you have to re-take your test.

shine · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:27

You can drive if your photocard has expired - your license is still valid. But if your photocard has expired than you could potentially be fined £1000 for having an expired photocard part of your driving licence.

Semiskimmed · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:30

thanks for replies, im not driving any sort of vehicle atm so its not a problem of gettign fined, i am just worried about having to retake my tests again.
@Colbaker, have you got a link with the 2 years to re-take your test?

thanks again

Colbaker · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:33

http://www.yourdrivinglicence.co.uk/what-happens-if-driving-licence-has-expired.html

At the bottom

Semiskimmed · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:38

awesome, thanks very much

buy_my_cookies · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:39

i am glad i read this thread mine runs out in a week and i never throught of even checking, in fact i didnt even know they ran out! (i did know passports did so i really should have known that a photo licence would as well

)

ah well there goes £20, as if it costs that much to make me a new card and update a database!

robotSocks · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:40

i've recently had to pay for mine to be renewed, and yes - there is a potential £1000 fine if you don't renew it

Colbaker · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:42

I work for a Car Rental Company and they will not rent to you if your photo card has expired.

shadow_boxer · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:45

Yeah theres no way they could rent a car to an expired licence! I didnt think you had to pay for it to be renewed...better just go check mine I think...gingerly wandering to find wallet!

Semiskimmed · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:47

ive also found out that some post offices do it all for you there and then for a £4.50 charge on top of the £20 and the cost of your picture. im going to do this next time im in town i think. not all post offices do it though, you can check here:

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=19100187&mediaId=118600819&campaignid=PR0303

/edit, actualyl seems youre photo is included in this. what a bargain as they take it to the correct specs dvla need and also check out your paperwork too

Abraham · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:51

shadow_boxer said:
Yeah theres no way they could rent a car to an expired licence! I didnt think you had to pay for it to be renewed...better just go check mine I think...gingerly wandering to find wallet!

Colbaker said:
http://www.yourdrivinglicence.co.uk/what-happens-if-driving-licence-has-expired.html

At the bottom

Except an expired licence is an entirely different thing to an expired photocard.

Rroff · 13 Aug 2010 at 14:58

Semiskimmed said:
ive also found out that some post offices do it all for you there and then for a £4.50 charge on top of the £20 and the cost of your picture. im going to do this next time im in town i think. not all post offices do it though, you can check here:

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=19100187&mediaId=118600819&campaignid=PR0303

/edit, actualyl seems youre photo is included in this. what a bargain as they take it to the correct specs dvla need and also check out your paperwork too

Cheers for the link - need to get mine done but the only way it seems to pay when sending off the form is via cheque (haven't bothered with those for years) or bank transfer which I can't be bothered with lol.

Semiskimmed · 13 Aug 2010 at 15:45

Rroff said:
Cheers for the link - need to get mine done but the only way it seems to pay when sending off the form is via cheque (haven't bothered with those for years) or bank transfer which I can't be bothered with lol.

ive just rang them and you can pay the post office everything, cash/debit card/credit card etc the full amount so no messing and it deffo includes the new photo