Covid-19: should I send in my licence for points?

[Jimny]

I have been given 3 points for doing 80 on dual carriageway and have to send my licence in for the points to added. But I’m a bit nervous about sending it in because I think it’s an important document to have on you during covid restrictions. Is this an irrational worry?

[Boosted LS1]

Yep. take a photocopy and ask for a few extra points. It all helps.

[SS2.]

Almost certainly.

The alternative is failing to comply with the terms of the Fixed Penalty which is likely to lead to matters being proceeded.

For some peace of mind, you could send the documents via special delivery.

[PDP76]

I’m not quite sure which departments of the dvla etc are working.
I moved house before lockdown and sent off my licence and that came back with the new address on it.
Just after lockdown I sent off my car docs and still not had them back.
Currently carrying my licence with me in my wallet if i have to go out in the car, because as far as I’m aware it’s still registered at my old address.
I’d take a copy and send it.

[Boosted LS1]

SS2. said:

Almost certainly.

The alternative is failing to comply with the terms of the Fixed Penalty which is likely to lead to matters being proceeded.

For some peace of mind, you could send the documents via special delivery.

Yes defo the recorded delivery and with photographs.

[ging84]

Are they still asking people to send in a photocard for no reason, or is this some 30 year old bit of paper covered in sellotape with no photo?

[jondude]

All you really need these days is the driver id number - usually your DOB mixed up and a few letters and numbers.

With that the police have all they need to run a check as do you, is also available online. (Think you and I also need our NI number to run a check)

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

• You can then either print the record or take a snapshot on your phone.

[bstb3]

PDP76 said:

I’m not quite sure which departments of the dvla etc are working.
I moved house before lockdown and sent off my licence and that came back with the new address on it.
Just after lockdown I sent off my car docs and still not had them back.
Currently carrying my licence with me in my wallet if i have to go out in the car, because as far as I’m aware it’s still registered at my old address.
I’d take a copy and send it.

I sent off my V5 for an address change around two weeks ago (might have forgotten to do it for a while ), it came back within 7 working days. Remember worrying when I sent it how long it would take, was pleasantly surprised.

[LosingGrip]

Jimny said:

I have been given 3 points for doing 80 on dual carriageway and have to send my licence in for the points to added. But I’m a bit nervous about sending it in because I think it’s an important document to have on you during covid restrictions. Is this an irrational worry?

Not sure why having your licence on you will make any difference to COVID19. Completely ittational.

[agtlaw]

ging84 said:

Are they still asking people to send in a photocard for no reason, or is this some 30 year old bit of paper covered in sellotape with no photo?

Yes, it’s ludicrous. Police force requires the physical licence for a fixed penalty. However, if your case progresses to a court hearing then the court does not require your licence either at the SJPN stage or at an actual court hearing.

The result of this nonsense is that thousands of people who pay the £100 fixed penalty online but fail to send in a licence get an SJPN / Postal Requisition. The court then deals with the case without requiring the physical licence.

[ging84]

Is there actually some quirk of the law that means the police must still request it, or are they just being obstructive?

[agtlaw]

ging84 said:

Is there actually some quirk of the law that means the police must still request it, or are they just being obstructive?

When DVLA abandoned paper counterpart licences and moved online, courts no longer required physical licences to be produced. The police, sadly, didn’t adopt this approach. I haven’t looked closely at the reason for this. I believe that the RTA legislation requiring production of a licence at court is still in force - but in practice that is now taken to mean production of a licence number rather than a physical document / photocard.

Edited by agtlaw on Tuesday 7th April 09:26

[Reciprocating mass]

Guidance
DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
Please use our online services, which are all currently available. Please do not send in any paper applications until further notice.

Published 25 March 2020
Last updated 7 April 2020 — see all updates
From:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Contents
Contact Centre
Taxing with an MOT exemption
You can access our online services and information at GOV.UK.

In line with the government’s advice we have a very limited number of staff on-site who are only dealing with applications from those who are directly involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we are prioritising applications relating to HGV drivers and key workers to make sure they get any documentation they need as quickly as possible. We are unable to deal with any other paper applications until further notice.

DVLA’s customer reception in Swansea is closed. Please do not travel for assistance in person as there will be no one available to help you.

[agtlaw]

Relevance of paper applications to the DVLA?

A fixed penalty involves sending your driving licence to the police.

[Jimny]

Thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts.

Yes, they ask for it to be sent to the Conditional Offer Unit, Freepost, Southend on Sea, Essex - so not DVLA.

I have taken copy and will send signed for.

[Reciprocating mass]

It was in relevance to the posters above discussing sending stuff to the dvla, but as you have stated not relevant sorry your honour