driving licence renewal at post office

[eastlmark]

Just had notification of my photocard expiring, the form says I can renew at my local post office and dont need to bring a photo as the "dedicated member of staff" there will sort that for me. Does that just mean he/she tells me to go to the photo booth in the post office or will there be some kind of high tech camera at the counter? (sounds daft now I have written it down!)
it also does not say how much this extra service will cost, anyone done it this way?

[Mudfugly]

It costs £25 and for that they take your picture in a booth and then do all the paperwork and send it off registered post.

[eastlmark]

Mudfugly said:

It costs £25 and for that they take your picture in a booth and then do all the paperwork and send it off registered post.

is that on top of the £20 renewal fee?

[Bamboozle]

Not every post office does this service, I tried my main branch who told me the nearest that did it was 15 miles away, just fill the form in, get some passport photo's and send it all off, don't expect your local post office to do this

[GeraldSmith]

It's an extra £4.50, for which they take your picture, make sure everything is OK, give you a receipt and send it off for you. Is it worth it? Your choice.

[ad551]

I did this when I had to renew my license. It meant I got evils from everyone in the fking massive Saturday morning queue as I was allowed to jump it to pay at the end. No problems though and my license came very quickly. Only problem is you have to sign on an electronic pad and so my signature looks like it was written by the 9 year old me.

[eastlmark]

Well, took the plunge and went for this in my lunch break. Yes, the post office (my local one at any rate, obviously not every two bob PO) has a high tech photo thingmy against one of the counter windows. Having joined the chavvy queue and got to one of the normal windows, I was instructed to go to the money change window as he was the "designated person" to do the job for me. Quite what happens when he is on lunch break or whatever is anyones guess. He did know what he was doing though and told me to enter the booth a few windows down and close the curtains (legs still on show for the queue to laugh at). None of the old photo booth comedy here (revolving stools etc), its more like a hospital scanning room. I just stood there and he adjusted the lens from his side of the counter and took the photo. Then I needed to sign the electonic pad and then got a preview of both the photo and signiture for aproval, I guess had I not apporved we could have had another go but by this time I was the entertainment for the queue and just wanted out. he then told me to go back to "cashier number 5 please" to pay etc which is when I got the evils as the previous poster mentioned. I guess they all asumed my photo was being taken for the child sex offenders register or something. The form and photo image is then sent direct to DVLC by "electronic means" and I was given a reciept for my handed over licence and photo card. Hopefully speeding up the process and, lets hope, less chance of my licence getting lost in the post. Total cost £24.50 which is £20 renewal fee and 4.50 for the po service including the photo. Cheaper than a photo me photobooth I think but obviously no spare photo's for other uses.
One other tip for anyone renewing, take a photocopy of the reverse of the photocard as it has been known for some to be renewed with less vehicle type coverage than what you had when you originaly passed your test.

[eastlmark]

...and new licence arrived today, only 3 days later. good service IMO.

true, photo and signiture dont entirely resemble me but what the heck.

Edited by eastlmark on Thursday 4th November 13:03