Renewing paper licence at age 70

[TheAngryDog]

Hi,

The DVLA website is ambiguous, and despite my mother being an NHS Key Worker, the DVLA do not appear to be taking calls.

My mother needs to renew her licence as she is 70 in 7 weeks and hasn't received the D46P form. She isn't computer literate so is trying to fill in a D1 form, but the guide to this seems ambiguous as well.

She doesn't hold a valid UK passport anymore. She does however claim a state pension.

She has a letter confirming her pension and has got a new photo that has been signed.

What does she need to send back? I believe that she can send the D1 form, original letter from DWP and her photo. Does she need to send back her licence?

Like I said, she would ask the DVLA, but their Key Worker number wasn't taking calls when she called during their opening times.

Thank you.

[paintman]

https://www.olderdrivers.org.uk/the-law/renewing-y...
https://www.myukpost.com/userfiles/dvla%20INF1D.pd...

Edited by paintman on Thursday 11th June 22:26

[TheAngryDog]

paintman said:

https://www.olderdrivers.org.uk/the-law/renewing-y...

We did look at that, but that is contradictory of the ambiguous information on the DVLA site. That says she can renew for a photo card licence for free, but DVLA says £20.

[paintman]

Had a quick look at the DVLA fees.
Reads to me that if you're just swapping a current valid with time to run paper licence for a photocard one there is a charge of £20, but for a licence renewal it's £17 unless you're 70 or over in which case renewal is free.

As it also says "You can also renew your expired licence at a Post Office, it costs £21.50" I'd suggest you go into a Post Office, pick up a form D1 & ask.

[RSTurboPaul]

+1 to asking at a Post Office - if there's a small local one with long-serving staff, they always seem to know their stuff.

[TheAngryDog]

She asked at he post office and they didn't have any idea either. She isn't 70 yet but her licence expires on her 70th birthday.

[paintman]

All licences expire at 70 so she's renewing.

I can only reiterate what it says on the yougov website "Renew your driving licence online with DVLA for free if you’re 70 or over – or will be 70 in the next 90 days."
All the other websites I've looked at incl RAC & the AA say that a licence renewal at age 70 & every three years after that is free.

If you're still in doubt send them a completed D1 with a cheque & see what happens.

[TheAngryDog]

Thanks all, she has managed to speak to the DVLA this morning and is sorted on what she needs to do.

[Riley Blue]

I renewed mine at 70 last November, fully expecting to have to submit an up to date photo but no, they were happy to use my existing passport photo from decades ago which shows me with a full head of hair, no glasses and a much darker beard.

[surveyor]

This keyworker stuff is now just annoying. How would the dvla know that it’s a ‘nhs keyworker’ calling...

[randlemarcus]

surveyor said:

This keyworker stuff is now just annoying. How would the dvla know that it’s a ‘nhs keyworker’ calling...

Maybe she called the published "keyworker line"?

Go on then OP, save the next Pher some googling, and tell us what it is she needed to do.

[Riley Blue]

surveyor said:

This keyworker stuff is now just annoying. How would the dvla know that it’s a ‘nhs keyworker’ calling...

Perhaps she used the secret code word.

[RSTurboPaul]

TheAngryDog said:

Thanks all, she has managed to speak to the DVLA this morning and is sorted on what she needs to do.

Which is... ??

[TheAngryDog]

I have no idea. She just message me this morning saying she knew what to do now.

[StuntmanMike]

TheAngryDog said:

I have no idea. She just message me this morning saying she knew what to do now.

If you pay for services you should get for free the DVLA will send her money back anyway.

[Dogwatch]

My second over 70's renewal is coming up towards the end of the year. i haven't had any problems with renewals so far but I do have a current passport which helps.

[TVR1]

surveyor said:

This keyworker stuff is now just annoying. How would the dvla know that it’s a ‘nhs keyworker’ calling...

Possibly the same as Driving instructors calling DVSA to book/amend tests etc. We use the same number as the General Public but have a #15 extension number that we type. It isn’t prompted but gets you through to a dedicated instructor team.

• its not #15 BTW!

[unident]

Riley Blue said:

I renewed mine at 70 last November, fully expecting to have to submit an up to date photo but no, they were happy to use my existing passport photo from decades ago which shows me with a full head of hair, no glasses and a much darker beard.

How long is your passport valid for? I thought they needed renewing every 10 years.

[Old Merc]

unident said:

Riley Blue said:

I renewed mine at 70 last November, fully expecting to have to submit an up to date photo but no, they were happy to use my existing passport photo from decades ago which shows me with a full head of hair, no glasses and a much darker beard.

How long is your passport valid for? I thought they needed renewing every 10 years.

Correct, Passports are valid for ten years, and once over 70 driving licences have to be renewed every 3 years.
Just renewed my licence online, quick and easy.

[DoubleD]

Old Merc said:

unident said:

Riley Blue said:

I renewed mine at 70 last November, fully expecting to have to submit an up to date photo but no, they were happy to use my existing passport photo from decades ago which shows me with a full head of hair, no glasses and a much darker beard.

How long is your passport valid for? I thought they needed renewing every 10 years.

Correct, Passports are valid for ten years, and once over 70 driving licences have to be renewed every 3 years.
Just renewed my licence online, quick and easy.

I presume when he says existing he means his last passport, even though it would have expired.