How to get a free driving license replacment

[jimothy]

A mate of mine has a paper driving license, and this proved to be a pain in the bars of Portsmouth on Saturday as they only except photocard ones as ID.

Is there a way to get a free replacement, rather than cough up £30 or whatever it is?

[robbieduncan]

Change of address is free I think...

[esselte]

jimothy said:

A mate of mine has a paper driving license, and this proved to be a pain in the bars of Portsmouth on Saturday as they only except photocard ones as ID. Is there a way to get a free replacement, rather than cough up £30 or whatever it is?

It's £19 I think.

[boiler]

The kind people at DVLA have just told me that replacing my Swiss license with a photocard will be free when I return to the UK.

[Einion Yrth]

Change of name or address seems to be free as is 'add entitlement to existing licence'. though to get that you'd presumably have to pass another test, which would cost money.

[jazzyjeff]

Yes, change of name and or address is free.

This is the only type of exchange which is free AFAIK...

JJ

[jimothy]

robbieduncan said:

Change of address is free I think...

Not really as you have to pay stamp duty, mortgage arrangement fees, solicitors fees....

Bit drastic to save a few quid...

[Dwight VanDriver]

Enquire of the Bar/Pub some run an Identity Card scheme free?

dvd

[Plotloss]

boiler said:

The kind people at DVLA have just told me that replacing my Swiss license with a photocard will be free when I return to the UK.

Really?

They took my UK one off me in America when I got the American one.

I really should get a driving licence, I came back in 2001!

[pdV6]

If you're of an age that photo id is necessary, are you a student?
Could you do a change of address to your term-time address and then switch it back to your "home" address at the end of the year?

[Pigeon]

Can't he get one of those "prove your age" photo cards?

[Einion Yrth]

How has anyone young enough looking to require ID in a pub got a paper only driving licence? The hand over to photocards was completed over five years ago.

>> Edited by Einion Yrth on Monday 12th December 16:02

[pdV6]

Good point!

Unless its an "over-21's" place.

[boiler]

Plotloss said:

boiler said: The kind people at DVLA have just told me that replacing my Swiss license with a photocard will be free when I return to the UK. Really? They took my UK one off me in America when I got the American one. I really should get a driving licence, I came back in 2001!

indeed - the thought's had crossed my mind as well. but i don't fancy the insurance company wiggling out of any future claim.

[stubydoo]

When I needed a replacement new style licence, I realised that my postcode had been changed by the Post office, sent it up with the new postcode details and got one FOC

[MR2Mike]

Einion Yrth said:

How has anyone young enough looking to require ID in a pub got a paper only driving licence? The hand over to photocards was completed over five years ago. >> Edited by Einion Yrth on Monday 12th December 16:02

I was asked for ID at 23 once. Very embarrasing as I didn't actualy have any on me. I obviously have "naturaly youthfull" looks

[jimothy]

Einion Yrth said:

How has anyone young enough looking to require ID in a pub got a paper only driving licence? The hand over to photocards was completed over five years ago. >> Edited by Einion Yrth on Monday 12th December 16:02

My mate is 29. This was in Portsmouth and in some bars they were id'ing everybody, including a bunch of guys who looked over 40.

BTW - NONE of them accepted the Citizen Card, the Home Office supplied age ID card that has to be signed by a policeman or similar. They all insist on a passport or photo driving license. One of my mates looks about 12 (he' actually 26) and has never learnt to drive or been abroad so he decided to get the cheaper Citizen Card. Biggest waste of £5 ever.

[smac]

My other half got asked for ID in a bar in florida at 32 ( which she looked at the time!)

[Boosted Ls1]

I've still got my pink paper license and don't want a photocard jobbie. As I've changed address will they still want to make me pay for an upgrade. Do I have to have it?

Boosted.

[pdV6]

Boosted Ls1 said:

I've still got my pink paper license and don't want a photocard jobbie. As I've changed address will they still want to make me pay for an upgrade. Do I have to have it? Boosted.

Unfortunately, you are required to update your address and when you do you can only get a photocard-type license. ID cards via the back door is what it is.