Question: Change from old paper license to new style?

[Gallen]

Hi,

I still have an old paper style license registered to my parents house (as is much of my mail/V5's etc) as this makes things easier for me.

Now I have an insurance co who isn't happy that the address on my license doesn't match my home address, so likely need to change things.

Are there any pros/cons of either or should I just bite the bullet?

Thanks,
G.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Licence.

[mcflurry]

Cons - the new licence will only last for 10 years, and needs you to smile in front of a £5 picture booth..

[lbc]

mcflurry said:

needs you to smile in front of a £5 picture booth..

If you already have a Passport there is no need for a new picture with online application.

Mine took less than a week to arrive.

[Gallen]

lbc said:

If you already have a Passport there is no need for a new picture with online application.

Mine took less than a week to arrive.

...just tried that, but I am "...not eligible to apply for this service" (for some reason)

[mikeveal]

Pros:
Updating your licence is free.
Having the correct address on your licence means you're no longer eligible for the £1000 fine.

Cons:
None.

[andy118run]

lbc said:

mcflurry said:

needs you to smile in front of a £5 picture booth..

If you already have a Passport there is no need for a new picture with online application.

Mine took less than a week to arrive.

yep, did mine a year or so ago as was in a similar position to the OP.

Already have a passport, so did it all on-line, the licence arrived soon after. Really could not have been simpler. Go for it.

[Gallen]

andy118run said:

yep, did mine a year or so ago as was in a similar position to the OP.

Already have a passport, so did it all on-line, the licence arrived soon after. Really could not have been simpler. Go for it.

Eventually managed it. No joy on the DVLA website initially (as mentioned above).

Cut a long story short, I figured out that you can register on the "Government Gateway" web site to get a log in number.

After a few attempts, it then seemed to work and application is underway.

Passport next.........

G.

[Dogwatch]

Can you amend a paper licence? I thought you were moved over to plastic without the option.

[Gallen]

Dogwatch said:

Can you amend a paper licence? I thought you were moved over to plastic without the option.

Nope you can't

(Which is why I've held on to it for so long).

Any change of details and it's a default switch over to the [not so] new style.

[Fast forward to 10 years or however long, when I know I'll forget to renew.......]

G.

[ging84]

mikeveal said:

Pros:
Updating your licence is free.
Having the correct address on your licence means you're no longer eligible for the £1000 fine.

Cons:
None.

He's not eligible for any fines based on the details given

[mikeveal]

He says the address on his licence does not match his home address.
"0 seconds of googling yielded the following:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-23...
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/renew-driv...
http://www.yourmoney.com/insurance/millions-risk-g...

[PanzerCommander]

ging84 said:

mikeveal said:

Pros:
Updating your licence is free.
Having the correct address on your licence means you're no longer eligible for the £1000 fine.

Cons:
None.

He's not eligible for any fines based on the details given

Indeed, as far as I am aware you only have to be easily contacted at the address the licence is registered.

[marshalla]

mikeveal said:

He says the address on his licence does not match his home address.
"0 seconds of googling yielded the following:
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-23...
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/renew-driv...
http://www.yourmoney.com/insurance/millions-risk-g...

All well and good, but tertiary sources at best - and all based on the same press release. Where's the Act or SI which requires a licence holder to inform anyone of his or her home address for the purposes of holding a licence ?

Edited by marshalla on Monday 11th May 14:57

[mikeveal]

I'm sure you'll find the relevant act if you're that keen on disproving the links. Personally I don't have the time and can't be arsed.

[marshalla]

mikeveal said:

I'm sure you'll find the relevant act if you're that keen on disproving the links. Personally I don't have the time and can't be arsed.

I've tried. There isn't one. The closest thing is a reference to an address for service, and another about deliberately providing false information in order to obtain a licence.

I like to know the truth, not what the scaremongers at DVLA would like us to believe.

Edited by marshalla on Monday 11th May 15:11

[Meoricin]

mikeveal said:

I'm sure you'll find the relevant act if you're that keen on disproving the links. Personally I don't have the time and can't be arsed.

Well, I'm convinced!

[Gallen]

...not that I'm bothered BUT I guess you'd only likely encounter problems if the DVLA tried to contact you and could not.

It's not ever caused an issue in 22 years and the only issue it has caused has not been from the perspective of the DVLA but from an insurance company for admin purposes. It's quite likely that it's a digital form throwing up a miss match or conflict, or something similar.

I've always been able to have my letters read immediately rather than having to wait until I get home and ironically there will likely be a delay now!

Edited by Gallen on Monday 11th May 17:37

[tony wright]

Eventually managed mine but only after ringing their helpline after umpteen failed attempts on line. Kept saying address not recognised on my old paper icence, turned out to be the abbreviation Rd... Once sorted they took photo from my passport and new shiny card and paper attachment turned up inside a week free of charge.

[Red Devil]

I presume by 'attachment' you mean the paper counterpart.
Less than a month before you can frame it and hang it on your wall...