new oldies driving license

[mutantpoodle]

lots of chat in media about DVLA staff not working in offices etc

does any know roughly how long it might take to get a 'new driving license' as required when turning 70

have existing paper since forever but am assuming they will require a new plastic one when I get to 70??

am hoping gto get back to usual trips abroad around that time

[Mike88]

Took a week for mine to arrive when I ordered online. Brilliant service from the much maligned DVLA.

[scrumpyjack]

I tried to do it online but the system wanted a new photo. Sent it in mid August, no licence yet received and old one has expired. I understand I am allowed to carry on driving while the DVLA take their time!

[Urbandreamer]

I tried to do it online but the system wanted a new photo. Sent it in mid August, no licence yet received and old one has expired. I understand I am allowed to carry on driving while the DVLA take their time!

Same problem with our son's provisional licence, save that he couldn't start to drive. A three month wait.

The KEY difference seems to be if you have to do it via paper (as in need a new photo) or can reuse your passport photo and do it electronically.

[pje16]

Took a week for mine to arrive when I ordered online. Brilliant service from the much maligned DVLA.

same as me when renewing my plastic one back in August
I was surprised it was so quick
and if you have a valid passport, enter its number and DVLA use it for your new licence (neat!)

[scrumpyjack]

Took a week for mine to arrive when I ordered online. Brilliant service from the much maligned DVLA.

same as me when renewing my plastic one back in August
I was surprised it was so quick
and if you have a valid passport, enter its number and DVLA use it for your new licence (neat!)

My passport was still valid but they wouldn't use the photo, hence I had to send it paper plus new photo.

[pje16]

My passport was still valid but they wouldn't use the photo, hence I had to send it paper plus new photo.

How strange (and annoying no doubt)
not sure what difference it makes but my passport was renewed 3 months before I applied for my driving licence

[Alaric]

not sure what difference it makes but my passport was renewed 3 months before I applied for my driving licence

I think that's extremely relevant. Whoever designed and implemented their renewals process did a
good job on getting it to work without obvious human intervention.

I used the passport photograph route, which had been quick for the passport as well. If you use a commercial photo booth, it can give you an electronic address for your photograph. It may be possible to quote that for a driving license rather than have to print and post.

[Urbandreamer]

If you use a commercial photo booth, it can give you an electronic address for your photograph. It may be possible to quote that for a driving license rather than have to print and post.

How do you manage the bit about getting some responsible individual to witness it as a true likeness?
Updateing a licence/passport may work, if you haven't changed that much. I doubt that it would work when replacing a old green driving licence.

[Alaric]

How do you manage the bit about getting some responsible individual to witness it as a true likeness?

That isn't needed for passport renewal.

[Lootman]

How do you manage the bit about getting some responsible individual to witness it as a true likeness?

That isn't needed for passport renewal.

I am not so sure about that. When I renewed my passport in May, I did it in person via the Post Office expedited service. The nice lady behind the PO counter told me that she would sign that the photo that I had supplied was a true likeness.

[Alaric]

I am not so sure about that.

I renewed online without having to do anything.

[swill453]

same as me when renewing my plastic one back in August
I was surprised it was so quick
and if you have a valid passport, enter its number and DVLA use it for your new licence (neat!)

My passport was still valid but they wouldn't use the photo, hence I had to send it paper plus new photo.

Yes, same for my wife. Not yet received new one.

Scott.

[6Tricia]

I no longer drive but as a driving licence is useful for identification purposes I renewed mine a month or so ago online. It was surprisingly easy - just filled out the form, pressed 'submit' and received the new licence just over a week later.

Tricia

[mutantpoodle]

many thanks everyone
would seem online and using passport info is far and away best route to go....as long as system accepts the passport info

i would guess that might depend on how far into the passport 10 years you are!
i will have 5 years left
and passport doesnt reflect waistline......so will keep fingers crossed

but its OK to keep driving while DVLA 'works'....fine here in UK, but....in EU? (and I do/will have international license)

[XFool]

many thanks everyone
would seem online and using passport info is far and away best route to go....as long as system accepts the passport info

Just to be complete... There is a kind of hybrid method. At least there was when I renewed several years ago, before the pandemic.

I didn't have a passport or a photo licence but applied online - was wondering if I might take photo myself. The online application said you required online photo ID for online application, but I pressed on nevertheless. Eventually got to point here photo was required, process then paused and said a letter would be sent. It was a shorter form than the usual paper application, mainly to supply a photo ID and provide a 'witness' ID. You send this off and the licence is renewed.

[6Tricia]

Just to add - my current passport was issued in 2013 and was accepted even though it has only 2 more years validity!

Tricia

[pje16]

Thanks Tricia
I had wondered about the time left
viewtopic.php?p=458432#p458228

Paul