Photo licence - compulsory?

[Boosted LS1]

I informed dvla of a change of address and they would like me to shell out for a nice shiney photo licence and send them all my personal paperwork at my risk. I don't really want my mugshot on the governments computer as I see this as being a part of the erosion of our civil libertys. I've asked them several times if it's compulsory to have to give them a photograph etc. All I get back is 'we only issue' photo licences but they never say 'it's the law'.

Does anybody know what the law is about this subject? Are they just stealthily building up a photo i/d system via the back door. I've notified them of a change of address so think I've fulfilled my obligations in that respect.

Boosted.

[rewc]

I thought that on a change of address the 'upgrade' from paper to plastic was free of charge.

[Boosted LS1]

rewc said:

I thought that on a change of address the 'upgrade' from paper to plastic was free of charge.

I don't mind the upgrade, it's the way they want to get my picture at the same time. That's the bit I'm resisting. Seems sneaky to me.

Boosted.

[s2art]

Boosted LS1 said:

rewc said: I thought that on a change of address the 'upgrade' from paper to plastic was free of charge. I don't mind the upgrade, it's the way they want to get my picture at the same time. That's the bit I'm resisting. Seems sneaky to me. Boosted.

If all else fails, grow a beard first, send them that photo and then shave it off.

[Boosted LS1]

sean5302 said:

Well, the Law is that only DVLA issue UK driving licences.

It's not at all clear. Is it the law or just what they do because they can get away with it?

Boosted.

[Teppic]

direct.gov.uk said:

Exchanging or updating your driving licence The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) no longer issue paper driving licences as a result of an European Union directive requiring all member states to issue driving licences in a card format and to contain the licence holder's image and signature. www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicenceArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022084&chk=19IS3h

So in effect yes, it is the law.

[Lois]

If you have a passport they'll already have your photo.

Talking of driving licence pics...how long before you update your photo? I look nothing like mine already!!

[Boosted LS1]

It's just a matter of principle Lois. This Government is accumulating personal data from everywhere. I don't need a passport so they don't have my photograph.

Teppic, thanks for that. By 'image' I presume a sketch or portrait would do Oh, well, time to start saving up the money so I can do this.

Boosted.

[vonhosen]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You have to renew you licence every 10 years up to 70, then every 3 years.

[Lois]

so I'll be 27 and still have that awful pic

[BigBob]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I may be wrong here and stand to be corrected but AFAIK the 'Photocard' isn't actually the licence - it's the paper bit you get as well.

If this is the case why can't you just throw the photocard in the fire?????




BB

[vonhosen]

BigBob said:

anonymous said: [redacted] I may be wrong here and stand to be corrected but AFAIK the 'Photocard' isn't actually the licence - it's the paper bit you get as well. If this is the case why can't you just throw the photocard in the fire????? BB

The licence is both photocard & paper counterpart together. Production of just one half of that is a failure to produce your driving licence when requested to do so.

[Boosted LS1]

But if one half was lost I doubt a prosecution would be successful? What's the point of losing it anyway. My objection is giving them the information in the first place.

Boosted.

[WildCat]

Despite growing up in place which has always had ID cards/papers.. I can quite understand the British aversion und suspicion given a government which rule und seek to control by nightmare politics und not common sense..

[BigBob]

vonhosen said:

BigBob said: anonymous said: [redacted] I may be wrong here and stand to be corrected but AFAIK the 'Photocard' isn't actually the licence - it's the paper bit you get as well. If this is the case why can't you just throw the photocard in the fire????? BB The licence is both photocard & paper counterpart together. Production of just one half of that is a failure to produce your driving licence when requested to do so.

Thanks for that info


BB

[Fat Richie]

vonhosen said:

anonymous said: [redacted] You have to renew you licence every 10 years up to 70, then every 3 years.

You sure Von? I was always under the impression that your licence was valid from passing your test until your 70th birthday - had mine for 30 years and never knowing renewed it.... (dons parachute, waits to be shot down in flames).........

[matchless]

I still have the paper one, I believe the photocard ones need renewing every 10 Years, a good reason for never replacing mine!

[vonhosen]

Fat Richie said:

vonhosen said: anonymous said: [redacted] You have to renew you licence every 10 years up to 70, then every 3 years. You sure Von? I was always under the impression that your licence was valid from passing your test until your 70th birthday - had mine for 30 years and never knowing renewed it.... (dons parachute, waits to be shot down in flames).........

I'm talking photocard licences. DVLA will send you a reminder when approaching renewal date.

[TOPTON]

Purely personal oppinion, but I am against photo licence because its a sneaky way in to photo ID. The licence I have now is the old style paper one, it contains all the relevent information. If I was to change to photo style, the paper part would contain the same information and the plastic part would be of no use other than a ID for a beer if I got refused entry to a pub[very unlikely]. If I ever got pulled by the BiB, then I would need to produce both the plastic and paper part, which really means the photo card I carry in my pocket is a waste of time

[streaky]

TOPTON said:

[ ... ] The licence I have now is the old style paper one, it contains all the relevent information. If I was to change to photo style, the paper part would contain the same information ...

From other posts on this Forum, there is a possibility that it won't contain the same information. Check that your entitlements to drive are the same on the new licence as on the old. Take a copy of the old licence before you return it. Anecdotal evidence hat, when entitlements to drive are "lost" from the licence, DVLA refuse to reissue without you retaking the respective tests - Streaky