Do You own a UK photo type driving licence

[Keeper of The Kitten]

I had to get mine done last year, they do send a reminder in the post but I was a tad narked to be paying again, naturally (the only reason I have one is because I had to surrender my original licence in 1995 due to epilepsy and had short term licences until 1999). The new version is supposed to be more secured against forgery as it contains extra detailing, holograms and engravings.

I've read about people losing entitlements and even the entire licence in the post and DVLA being very sh!tty about whether you ever had entitlement, in fact there was something on TV about it. The solution is to have copies of your details available and actually go to the offices in Wales and tell them to sort it face to face, apparently that has resolved things for those who've been in the unfortunate position of being unlicensed through no fault of their own. Not really fair to be put through that sort of expense but it's better than not having a licence at all (and it's nice to be able to stick the finger to them).

[Error404]

WTF? I just renewed mine and the ****ing c***s charged me £20

[K Simmonds]

WTF? I just renewed mine and the ****ing c***s charged me £20

Yes this Britain we live remember, where everyone just bends over and lets the powers that be bum them half to death then thank them for the privilege. I'm thoroughly disenchanted with this country, mainly due to our foolish complacent Government. Remember though there are whole populations far worse off than us, we could live somewhere like Zimbabwe or North Korea, where I dare say paying the equivalent of a couple of hours work or getting half cut for the right to drive yourself around would be the very least of your concerns.

[Jamo]

It's nothing new, it's the same system as a passport as we change in looks over a 10 year period, much as we all would love to look 17 all the time

[benntenn67]

[QUOTE=K Simmonds;461356]Yes this Britain we live remember, where everyone just bends over and lets the powers that be bum them half to death then thank them for the privilege. I'm thoroughly disenchanted with this country, mainly due to our foolish complacent Government.

This is the greatest country in the world, IMHO, but we are unfortunate to have a pi55 poor goverment (at the moment)

[K Simmonds]

[QUOTE=benntenn67;461367]

Yes this Britain we live remember, where everyone just bends over and lets the powers that be bum them half to death then thank them for the privilege. I'm thoroughly disenchanted with this country, mainly due to our foolish complacent Government.

This is the greatest country in the world, IMHO, but we are unfortunate to have a pi55 poor goverment (at the moment)

Yep, I'd agree with that.

[Nuvo]

I'm sure this thread will be resurrected time and time again... Okay my turn to breath some life into it.

I recently got my renewal reminder for a photocard licence through from the plums at the DVLA. My respect for this organisation is close to nil.

Why? Suffice it to say that I and 1000's of others were fined because *they* didn't receive a document I sent in the post.

My dilemma is this; I hold both a paper licence which I understand is still valid, and I also have a photocard (soon to expire) albeit without the paper counterpart as I have mislaid this. I would therefore need to declare that I lost my driving licence as a consequence.

I would be interested to hear if anyone holds both a paper and expired photocard licence if they have had any trouble when producing their paper licence to a hire car company, the police or courts for example.

For an easier life I know I should probably put my contempt for them to one side and just pony up the cash for something I already blo*dy have.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts and experiences on this subject please (either publicly or privately).

[Sonic]

unrelated, but you've just reminded me i need to renew mine!

[HPmuirt]

I have just been through this as my card expired last month, however I was out of the country at the time (with a hire car )

When I returned, I went to the nearest Post Office main branch to renew it as they send everything electronically to the DVLA, rather than by post. Did this on the Monday lunchtime and received my new licenses (you surrender both paper and photo card) on Thursday the same week. You can only do this at main branches as they have a specialist to do it and a dedicated electronic photo booth. I was advised by the specialist that in the past, they were not allowed to renew expired licenses (i.e. you had to do this BEFORE it expired) but that now they could.

I also asked about driving. He said that since I hold a license to drive until I am 70 - my paper license, he believed that I was legally allowed to drive with an expired photo card. I said "Good, because I drove here and I am driving away again". But personally I doubt you could hire a car without a valid photocard. Therefore the £1000 fine would seem to be for having an out of date photo card (an ID card by the back door). The fine is not for having an expired license to drive.

In fact I support the ID style drivers license as I support the use of ID cards - non criminals have nowt to fear irrespective of what the scare mongerers say about civil liberties and privacy. if you want safety, you need control - period. I just hate having to pay for it £24

So I say, head to the main post office, be nice to the bloke as it's not his fault the gov are fleecing us for a card with our picture on it. The new paper and card licenses will be back quick smart and if you get caught, the police can see that you have applied as the electronic transfer to the DVLA is instant.

Cheers n

Si

P.S. Doing it at the Post Office costs an extra £4 but if you post it, you have to spend £4 getting passport photos done anyway and it apparently takes much longer to get back.

[Jamo]

I went to my local dvla office, how did you hold both licenses? when I did mine you had to surrender your old paper license, you guys must have done the original when you could keep both.

[goodall]

if you want safety, you need control - period.

How does a Photocard give any form of control, and how does control give safety. By nature of people having free will how would not having a photocard id stop a criminal from driving to o from committing a crime, they're going break the law, why would not having valid licence going concern them, don't think getting stopped or caught comes into the equation

As for licences, reapplying for mine today, as 12 months ago lost it, should applied for 3 weeks ago but didn't as going holiday in 2 days so decided whats point, not be here till start November 2days on L plates hardly worth it. As for the price seems application for new licence is £50 now but for some reason I have to pay £65, seems the £250 fine I paid to the court wasn't enough and want £15 more from me to do same work someone who hasn't had ban has to pay, on top this I'm going to have to do an extended driving test costing me more and travel 80miles to do the test and pay more on insurence (my falut) by all these things with increased cost have proportionally increased tax on them, but anyway I want drive so have pay it, I'm a convicted criminal, apparently, no one going listen to me

[Nuvo]

@HPmuirt: I appreciate your advice on this, I didn't know that main Post Offices provided this service.

Very helpful indeed.

@Jamo : I can't remember how I came to own two types of licence. Perhaps it is yet another snafu courtesy of the DVLA?

[Rikki Kitto]

I am a motorcycle instructor and come accross this problem every week. Some licences even have less than 10 years life on the photo section. The shortest I have seen is Three years from start to finish. Tried to find out why to no avail. Be careful it's easy to get caught out.

[Rikki Kitto]

Did you know that the photo I.D. card and paper counterpart are linked with a code number too? If you apply for a new one don't get them mixed up the relevant authorities will not accept mixed parts. Look for the issue number, should be same on both with a letter suffix on the paper section

[Greg_S]

Did you know that the photo I.D. card and paper counterpart are linked with a code number too? If you apply for a new one don't get them mixed up the relevant authorities will not accept mixed parts. Look for the issue number, should be same on both with a letter suffix on the paper section

I never knew that, I knew you had to have both bits for them to be valid, but not that they were linked in that way.

Greg