Driving license renewal and Grandad rights

[CoolC]

I've just received notification from DVLA that my license is due for renewal in November. This reminded me that I'd read something a while ago about how to ensure grandad rights remain (7.5t driving and trailer towing etc) Sod's law I can't find the thread (but it might have been a tangent within a thread about something else) again now.

So, anyone been through this process recently? is there anything specifically I need to do when renewing? or is it a case of renew, and then chase if the new one comes through with categories missing?

TIA

[Mammasaid]

https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70

[CoolC]

I'm not 70 for a fair while yet. This is just the standard 10 year renewal.

I just recall seeing stories of people renewing only to find the new license had categories missing when it came through. Or worse still, didn't notice something had been removed until it bit them on the bum some time later.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Afaik, your 7.5tn entitlement will be downgraded to 3.5tn, which is what people who passed after 1997 get anyway. I wasn't aware you could avoid this, other than to take the appropriate 7.5tn test.

[alscar]

CoolC said:

I'm not 70 for a fair while yet. This is just the standard 10 year renewal.

I just recall seeing stories of people renewing only to find the new license had categories missing when it came through. Or worse still, didn't notice something had been removed until it bit them on the bum some time later.

If you are between 60 and 70 then the licences will expiry on your 70th and you’ll need to apply for a free 3 year renewal at that point having self declared yourself ok to drive.
At that point your C1 / D1 ability to drive expires and can only be renewed if you take a new applicable test having applied for a new provisional licence ( Form D2 ) and get a medical examination / GP completed form - D4.

[Watcher of the skies]

CoolC said:

I'm not 70 for a fair while yet. This is just the standard 10 year renewal.

I just recall seeing stories of people renewing only to find the new license had categories missing when it came through. Or worse still, didn't notice something had been removed until it bit them on the bum some time later.

You're getting on for 70 and you still can't spell licence. It's even written across the top to help you.

[Mammasaid]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Afaik, your 7.5tn entitlement will be downgraded to 3.5tn, which is what people who passed after 1997 get anyway. I wasn't aware you could avoid this, other than to take the appropriate 7.5tn test.

Only at 70 and only if you don't reapply to keep those entitlements with a medical and sight test. With a regular photocard renewal you keep those categories on your licence.

[CoolC]

I'm not 70, I'm only 50, this is just the standard 10 year renewal.

[alscar]

CoolC said:

I'm not 70, I'm only 50, this is just the standard 10 year renewal.

Then a standard renewal should see all your entitlements simply renewed.
Just checked my wife’s who renewed in August 2024 and they are all on there.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

CoolC said:

I'm not 70, I'm only 50, this is just the standard 10 year renewal.

So your driving licence isn't due for renewal. Your photocard is. Different thing entirely.