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Do I need to change my paper driving licence for a photocard?

My wife will be 67 next January. She has an old paper license in immaculate condition. Does she need to change to a new photocard license before she is 70?

Asked on 3 August 2020 by Phillew

Answered by Georgia Petrie
You must get a new licence if:

- you change your address
- your licence has been defaced, lost, stolen or destroyed
- you change your name - you must apply by post using paper form D1 or D2, you can get them from most Post Offices
- you’re getting a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) driver qualification card (DQC)

If none of these apply and your paper licence is still valid, you do not need to exchange it for a photocard version. That being said, paper licence renewals have taken longer to process at DVLA recently because they weren't able to be handled during the peak of covid-19. I would personally change it, however, there's no need to. If you've got a bit of time before your next renewal (which you seem to) - I'd be inclined to wait for things to settle down at DVLA and then change to a photocard licence for ease of processing. Again, though, there's no requirement that you do so.
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