Coronavirus: Over 70s face licence renewal confusion

   on 4 May 2020

Only in the UK would you get this sort of bureaucracy, by living in Spain, one gets 5 year licence for over 70's, then every 5 years. Simple.

Acrorat    on 4 May 2020

A few months ago the DVLA sent a licence renewal letter to my late husband [who died 15 years ago] but did not send one to me [I am 10 days younger than him].

I did try to renew my licence at that time, but wasn't allowed as it was apparently too soon.

I will be 70 in July, so do I try to renew again, given that my licence is a paper one, and I can't get a photo or an eye test?

Maxonian    on 4 May 2020

Mine is waiting for Doctor and Specialist reports from people who at present have better and more important things to do.

Lucha    on 4 May 2020

I have had to apply for a new licence, as I am 70. I sent all my documents in, along with my application form and photo etc.
This was sent off on the 12th of March and I'm still waiting!

I realise after reading this article that there is a delay, because of the Covid-19 lockdown but I would have thought that, at least I would have got some acknowledgement from them.

Does anyone have any idea, what should be my next move, or to just wait and see?

Thanks
Carol

David Finch    on 4 May 2020

Just going through this thread. Attached to the Honest John site a scam ad came up to obtain a driving license without a test . Language and punctuation is poor so it is definitely a scam.
Honest John s people ought to look into this a bit sharp.

otter valley    on 5 May 2020

Hello,

I have just renewed my driving licence with my 70th birthday looming in two weeks time. I can say that I got warnings about delays due to staff shortage caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.

The driving licence is valid for three years and I must renew again. I had declared Cataracts and was told about the need to watch this viz driving and given the medical stuff about this from DVLA.

As to delays DVLA has said that people can carry on driving and if stopped say that the DVLA are considering their renewal. Cannot give you the link to that but it was in one of their recent bulletins

From an email there was a DVLA contact number given: 0300 790 6801
It is there contact centre number I believe.

Regards
Brian

Lancashireguy    on 5 May 2020

I had to renew my photocard licence in December 2019, DVLA did everything it could to make it difficult, even as far as telling me I was disqualified when I wasn't, trying to charge me £65 rather than the £14 it should be, in the end it cost me £900 + Vat for a firm of solicitors to sort it out and get my licence renewed

VINCENT MILLARD    on 5 May 2020

If the government can consider releasing prisoners early, extend MOT's for 6 months . Surely someone who has common sense can extend 70 + licences for a further 6 month's, highlighting the point if you would fail the medical test and found to have caused an accident or offence you will be prosecuted.

See Otter Valley!

VINCENT MILLARD    on 5 May 2020

If the government can consider releasing prisoners early, extend MOT's for 6 months . Surely someone who has common sense can extend 70 + licences for a further 6 month's, highlighting the point if you would fail the medical test and found to have caused an accident or offence you will be prosecuted.

See Otter Valley!

VINCENT MILLARD    on 5 May 2020

See the remarks from " Otter Valley".
They should make you feel better.
And always keep records of your Licence.

amn    on 5 May 2020

common sense I am afraid is not encouraged in government rules are rules and if I follow them I will not get into trouble

Tom Scott    on 5 May 2020

My wife needs her first 70+ license with groups C1 & D1 so she can continue to drive her 7.5 tonne horsebox. Without an eye test and medical assessment she will loose these entitlements. Her license renews in June. The 1 year extension announced earlier by the DVLA does not apply to "implied entitlements". We wait patiently to see what happens.

Dr David Rose    on 5 May 2020

Don't know if this is relevant at present but :-

Section 88 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 may allow you to continue driving even though you do not hold a current driving licence.
In practice, this will be when you have applied to the DVLA to renew your licence, but the licence expires (runs out) while we are processing the application.

Copied this from the relevant literature

   on 6 May 2020

Once you have applied for a renewal you allowed to drive under section 88 of the road traffic act 1988

dmo    on 6 May 2020

There are plenty of internet services that you can upload a digitial photo to and they will post out suitable passport/driving licence photos to you, the last time I used this service it cost less than £5.

ianbar    on 12 May 2020

I am coming up to 70 and applied for my licence online on 5 May. I received it on 11 May, and it probably would have arrived earlier if it were not for the postal delays over the Bank Holiday.

Wayne Burnett    on 14 May 2020

As noted by other contributors. Application is in with DVLA but no means to check status. My license has now expired so am wondering where that leaves me. I have 'Grandfather' rights vis-a-vis CI and D1 entitlements. HGV and bus drivers have had their licenses extended I believe but this does not apply as far as I know to first time renewal requiring a medical. In anticipation that any medical appointment would be cancelled, which it was, I submitted my renewal without the C1 and D1 entitlement. As has been said, it would seem sensible to simply issue an extension for renewal at 70, which only requires a self declaration as to ones health.

retiredspeedmerchant    on 14 May 2020

DVLA Licencing is a nightmare. Try having a HGV licence and a notifyable health condition. A former work colleague has to renew his every 3 years. He waited 2 of the last 3 years for DVLA doctors to process it. He has to start the rigmarole again later this year. He couldn't work as insurance companies and employers will not recognise the letter of authority sent by DVLA.
At least mine was simple. Straightforward revocation and came back within a month.

Stephanie Russell    on 15 May 2020

I'm so pleased and relieved to know I'm not the only one in this position as I've literally been losing sleep over renewing my licence ahead of my 70th birthday. From where I live it's a 3 mile circular walk to my GP, pharmacy, Co-op and other amenities. I thought it was best to write to DVLA using the address given, enquiring especially if I was likely to need a new picture and the difficulty of getting one. Now I understand this office isn't currently being manned.

Lesley Worstencroft    on 27 May 2020

I have checked my husband's Over 70 licence renewal application status on the DVLA site but it still says, "Awaiting application return form" This is in spite of sending the form AND then a second one with covering letter just in case the first was lost. Application was made on 20 March, and there is no way to contact them.

   on 28 May 2020

Michael Wilkinson

Yes, exactly the same for me. I get to the end of the online application to renew for my 73rd birthday, to be told that my driving licence and passport are invalid. Not true in either case. You can't contact the DVLA by phone or email unless you are a Key Worker, which I guess few over 70s are. The DVLA are not processing paper applications. All camera shops and photo booths are closed during the pandemic anyway, so you have great difficulty obtaining a photo. All Grant Shapps /DVLA need to do is defer the renewal date by 12 months (on the grounds that people can remember their birthdays). Just needs one line on the DVLA website. No cost to the Government. Done! How hard can it be?

Covey    on 5 June 2020

The DVLA change to renewals announced on 4th June is pure bunkum! It has nothing to do with helping the licence holders, but covering up for the fact that DVLA cannot process renewals fast enough to keep up.

The "over 70 C1 licence holders" are in a hole. You cannot talk to DVLA and they state that we should not send written applications, yet the application process to retain the C1 requires sending an application form, multi page medical report, and the Specsavers eye sight test form. You cannot use the online renewal process because it automatically removes C1 + D1 from your licence leaving you with a basic car licence.

NickNike    on 8 June 2020

I just received my over 70s licence, 8th June, having applied on line on the 4th June and have a current passport so the necessary details were copied digitally from the Passport office. I'm not moaning.
They allow application 90 days before the 70th birthday (mine was 89 days before to give plenty of time) and I read months agom they were not processing anything posted to them.
I appreciate there are some applications where the post is necessay, but if it is a straight forward application like mine, yiou should have no problems applying on-line.

Margaret Mowbray    on 12 June 2020

My husband applied in April, to renew his licence as he will be 70 on 16th June,(, by post as he does not have a passport or photo driving licence) he has not heard anything since, cannot contact DVLA, leaflet states you can drive while they deal with your application, but the Police say it would be illegal for him to drive. Who do we believe?

Dougal McGuire    on 18 June 2020

I hope this may bring some relief for those still waiting. A family member applied via post on the 20th March using recorded delivery. This was prior to the advice of using the online application only. Even with the situation, concern was obvious due to no contact available with DVLA and no absolute information available. I am pleased to say that her licence was received on the 15th June, so it does appear that previous postal applications are finally in the process box... Good luck to all.

Edited by Dougal McGuire on 18/06/2020 at 19:57

Bob higgins    on 26 June 2020

I'll be 76 in July , couldn't renew online as I don't have a passport...(even though I always have in the past)..I posted a D1 form with a new photo, wasn't sure if it was needed, but I enclosed a cheque for £17 also for the new photo...I never received a licence reminder either..they received it on the 15th of June as I sent it tracked and signed for special delivery...let's hope I get it back eventually..

   on 1 July 2020

As i'm shielding until end of July, i'm unable to go out.

My driving licence expires on 26th July, so unable to pop into photo booth.

Would it be ok to sort out a new driving licence photo at the beginning of August?

Roland Hartley    on 7 July 2020

Roland Hartley
I submitted my old paper licence on the 28th April ,to notify the DVLA about changing
my address . i have since turned 70 so presumably i would have to submit the photo
card licence to update this , however i have seen or heard nothing since i posted off my old paper licence back in April . i have been on the contact page for the DVLA
and received a reply (unfortunately unable to help). The telephone contact is a recorded message ,which i guess ,the situation will remain the same until furlough ends at the end of October, that will be over 6 months from my initial application
I will be going abroad in the not to distant future , and will be unable to hire a car without a valid driving licence.According to the DVLA website i could be fined for, not having the correct address, having an out of date licence ,and not having the over 70s licence, frustrated and annoyed are not really strong enough words.1
Do i carry on driving or not !

Bob higgins    on 8 July 2020

When my licence runs out I'll continue to drive...it was sent in good faith..apparently dvla have got a reduced workforce so they're not all furloughed...there are thousands of us in the same situation...and surely what they are doing is illegal...I have emailed my local MP..who have emailed dvla who are yet to respond...

Sue Clark    on 9 July 2020

I've been trying to renew my expired driving licence online (postal applications not being accepted) for several weeks. After filling in the form, many times, my application is refused. Trying to contact the helpline is impossible. What do I do now? Will I automatically be reminded when the 7 month extension expires? Should I keep on trying online in the meantime?

   on 14 July 2020

It is clear that the DVLA is no longer "Fit for Purpose". I urge everyone to write to their MP pointing this out. Hopefully then it will come to the attention of Government and something will happen. It is ridiculous that while the rest of the country is getting back to normal that an organisation the size of the DVLA is still acting as if it is the very start of the pandemic.

maltaman    on 14 July 2020

Hi Everyone,
I've been trying to renew my License via DVLA website as I turn 70 in cple months time.

After about the 3rd page of questions .. I get the msg ' You are not eligible for this service ' ..It's impossible to contact DVLA by phone ..

Anyone else have this problem ?

I read somewhere that one can not renew online if one has a Paper Licence ( like myself ) , it must be done via post .. Can anyone confirm ?

Has anyone sent in a postal application recently ? how long did it take ?

tnx

Hilary Webster    on 14 July 2020

I wanted to renew my over 70 license which expired at the end of June and found on DVLA website a notice saying current licenses will be valid for a further 7 months and that you will be notified nearer to that time about renewing.

Bob higgins    on 16 July 2020

Good news..
Having sent in a paper application for renewal of my over 70 driving licence, and emailing my MP about concerns of dvla not dealing with anything..my MP rang dvla and dvla have been in touch with me..they are dealing with the backlog,and more staff are back at work at dvla..they are dealing with May at the moment and are slowly catching up...I have been assured that section 88 of the road traffic act applies to me...and I can continue driving etc until my application is being dealt with...hopefully this will give some relief to all of you who are still waiting for your licences..

Joan Reeve    on 23 July 2020

My licence was not renewed and DVLA wrote and told me that medical enquiries and info showed that I do not meet the visual acuity standards and cannot read a number plate from 20 metres.My last eye test was normal so there must be a mistake but it will probably take a long time to rectify.

Glinda asprey    on 27 July 2020

Hi I am 73 years old, my driving licence ran out, 11thfeb iv filled out the application new photo sent back my photo licence still waiting, the extension runs out 1st August, what then do I do, I may have to take dvla to court and claim copansation

Acrorat    on 1 August 2020

I did get my renewed 70s licence three weeks after it ran out on 31 June, having tried to renew it since April. That said, 'too little, too late' is the polite way of describing this

Edited by HJ Editor on 10/03/2021 at 12:13

Michael Chant    on 24 August 2020

May I add my frustration to all the others? Applied by post on May 28th (it's now August 24th) - a month before my 70th Birthday - and included the old cut-up old licence. Impossible to contact DVLA via email or telephone, and as it's (necessarily) a postal application, I have no reference number with which I can check progress online.

I continue to drive, assuming the '7 month' rule applies, but the appalling lack of contact is a national disgrace. I, like others, am very frustrated and worried that the application may not be 'in the system'.

Do we need some kind of national media coverage to alert the government to this problem.

FRANKIE DEARDEN    on 23 January 2021

What chance do I have for renewing my driving licence any time soon?
I have just turned 73, and am abroad until 29th March.I have not driven for a couple of months and realised that my current licence had expired on the day before my birthday last month..
So, I thought, go online and renew it that way, as i certainly didn't get any reminder from DVLA 3 months prior to it expiring. However, having read the posts from so many people trying to renew their licence, without much success, I am filled with trepidation about the success rate. What on earth is happening (or NOT happening, as the case may be) at DVLA?.
As some people have already pointed out, The Vehicle Excise Duty section at DVLA are fast enough to take your money when the TAX is due on your vehicle. Covid is still the same for whichever department of DVLA we have to deal with.
This is a fiasco, and needs sorting out.Other businesses are managing to cope with their customers' needs without this level of incompetence.

Grant Shapps needs to get a grip, preferably on the top management's necks at DVLA, , and call them to account.

JUST GET IT SORTED

   on 23 February 2021

I applied, on 4th December 2020, to renew my licence. I very quickly got an eye test with Specsavers on December 17th. My licence expired 8th February 2021 and I still haven't had a renewal. I live in a remote area of Norfolk where it is 25 miles to one hospital and 15 miles to the other and my doctors surgery (when it re-opens since closing due to Covid in March last year) so being able to drive is imperative. I know that I passed the eye test and my hospital doctor told me that he is perfectly happy for me to drive as I keep myself fit and well. I have sent a few emails which were never responded to so I phoned half a dozen times before finding a number that would let me wait to be spoken to. After 50 minutes waiting I got a very rude young fellow with a very strong Welsh accent and spoke so fast that I couldn't get a word in. All I was able to pick up was that due to Covid etc. etc. there is a delay and yes they had received my eye test result and it was fine. He just referred me to INF188/6 which is Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act. Then he hung up on me. I won't go into that particular Section as it is there for all to peruse. However, when checking today, 23rd February, my licence states that I have no entitlement as it has expired. I then checked with my Insurance Company who told me that they will only cover me until my present insurance expires end of June. After that I will not be covered until I receive a new licence. The whole situation has become a fiasco. I know that I am not the only one but it begs the question, are they hoping that we will all die before they have to give us our licences?

   on 23 February 2021

I applied, on 4th December 2020, to renew my licence. I very quickly got an eye test with Specsavers on December 17th. My licence expired 8th February 2021 and I still haven't had a renewal. I live in a remote area of Norfolk where it is 25 miles to one hospital and 15 miles to the other and my doctors surgery (when it re-opens since closing due to Covid in March last year) so being able to drive is imperative. I know that I passed the eye test and my hospital doctor told me that he is perfectly happy for me to drive as I keep myself fit and well. I have sent a few emails which were never responded to so I phoned half a dozen times before finding a number that would let me wait to be spoken to. After 50 minutes waiting I got a very rude young fellow with a very strong Welsh accent and spoke so fast that I couldn't get a word in. All I was able to pick up was that due to Covid etc. etc. there is a delay and yes they had received my eye test result and it was fine. He just referred me to INF188/6 which is Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act. Then he hung up on me. I won't go into that particular Section as it is there for all to peruse. However, when checking today, 23rd February, my licence states that I have no entitlement as it has expired. I then checked with my Insurance Company who told me that they will only cover me until my present insurance expires end of June. After that I will not be covered until I receive a new licence. The whole situation has become a fiasco. I know that I am not the only one but it begs the question, are they hoping that we will all die before they have to give us our licences?

Jen Swift    on 11 June 2021

I live in France and applied in January 2021 for an exchange licence as I turned 70 in March . The French government have blocked all licence exchanges until they have a "reciprocal" arrangement with the UK and consequently I have been unable to drive since March.

I would like to know why it is not possible for the DVLA to extend expired driving licences for UK nationals in France until this reciprocal arrangement is in place ?

Surely this isn't beyond their capabilities.

Philip Le Cornu    on 12 June 2021

i applied for a driving licence renewal ...i recorded delivery i sent off my old licence.then received a letter and form asking me to fill in the form for licence renewal but not to bother if i had already sent an application.. when will i receive my new licence

Victoria Gascoyne    on 23 September 2021

I received a letter about 6 weeks ago. I opened it and saw the month July, so I thought it was for now. I then looked again and discovered it was dated July 2020, I have until the 27th September to get my licence back. I was devastated as I can get no answer to where my reminder was during the past year. The post office are no good and I don't know whether this even left the office until this year. I would like to know why we are being neglected and there appears there is no-one to answer for this mess. I drive a mobility car and from Monday I am stranded. What is happening?