Driving licence renewal
I will be 72 in November and my license runs out in December, can you apply too early?
Do they send reminders?
I will tell you why I ask when I see a few replies.
Comments
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I am pretty sure they send you a reminder along with the medical questionnaire.
David
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They used to for my 5 yearly medical for PSV / HGV groups ?
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It does. It has to be renewed at 70 and if you want to keep you C1 category you will need a medical every three years. Not sure what the remewal period is otherwise. Think it is also three years. No doubt someone out there will tell us what the period is for category B
peedee
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JV, in some cases the existing licence is allowed to run beyond 70. Perhaps it was obtained when the OP was 69 and DVLA have used a bit of common sense.
My last was obtained at age 68 so I might find out in due course.
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Probably.
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More a case of can’t be bothered to go and look. 😛
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I had to renew mine again this year.First was at 70,last one was at 72.5 years of age when I moved house,that one expires when I will be 76.So I reckon it is every 3 years after the age of 70.They will send you a reminder.
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Every three years.
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Sometimes the driving licence is put on a three year renewal prior to someones 70 birthday, usually for medical reasons. This could explain why the licence is being renewed at an unusual gap. When Margaret started to use insulin this happened to her.
David
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I suppose there is no excuse as the renewal date is there to be seen. People wouldn't turn up at the airport with an expired passport, or would they!!!
David
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Depends how 'on the ball' they are.
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Wow!
Thanks for the replies....the reason I asked was that I had often read about people of my age having to jump through hoops and having to wait a while for the new one.
My licence was renewed at 69? for 3 years and the next one is due this December, so I thought I would get in early and renew.
The new licence came through in a few days and is valid for 3 months and I still have to renew it again in December.
Thanks again
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It seems the older you get the more difficult the renewal process gets. I had a lot of trouble at last renewal inspite of my doctor's ok. The DVLA still demanded supplementary information. After phone calls, emails and complaints they finally renewed it 7 weeks later.
peedee
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There is nothing that I have heard of to suggest any such thing. peedee had problems with a C licence where medical evidence has always been required.
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I think it would be quite easy to do.Over 70's are entitled to a free eye test every year so it would be easy enough to send that to the DVLA. If necessary the test could be amended to include the number plate reading ability.
David
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The over 70s annual eye l test according to our optician is not an entitlement unless you have a problem that needs it , is still by annual otherwise
But now some police forces have started to check you can read a number plate at the specified distance during their roadside checks depending on what the results will be , it will soon be part of the licence renewals, an opticion at the moment I understand ,can only refer you to your doctor not advise the Dvla
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There are different situations for "over 70" renewals and I describe two .In both cases the renewed licence will last for three years normally dated from previous licence expiry.
1. Where the driver wishes to retain C1 (up to 7.5 tonnes) entitlement and
2. Where the driver does not have or does not wish to retain that entitlement.
In both cases the driver must be medically fit to drive and able to pass the "basic" vision test.
In case 1 though medical and eyesight fitness must be evidenced by a full medical report (at the drivers expense) and an eyesight test report which must be submitted with the renewal application. These will be scrutinised by DVLA Medical branch who may raise queries with the certifying doctor. Interestingly the eyesight standard for case 1 is higher than before 70 and higher than case 2 because to retain the C1 entitlement the driver must have vision in both eyes. So if your case 1 application is taking a long time check with DVLA. Their query may be languishing in your doctors in tray.
In case 2 the medical and eyesight fitness is effectively self certified. Regardless of age drivers must meet the standards its just that over 70 they are obliged to "declare fitness" more often.
I think DVLA send out reminders three months before. They will in certain circumstances accept an early application and send out the forms early for example if the driver is going for a long trip abroad before the expiry date. They will also allow you to retain your physical licence (i.e. not submit it with your application) so that it is available up to the expiry date for exhibition to foreign authorities. Where a medical report is needed it is valid for 5 months which has a bearing on when you can apply.
Bear in mind also that your GP may have a waiting time for "private" work so if you want to keep your C1 start the process in good time.
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Reminder turned up today, so I wasn't that much too early.
You can apply online, so I sat down to do it.
As it proceeded, I had to search out my Nat/insu number, then go and find my passport number, no problem, until at the end of all this faffing around, it then stated...'if you want to retain your C1, you can't do it online!
So it is back to form filling.....why couldn't they have said that at the start.
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I have to renew annually with a full D4 medical report since I want to retain my full lorry and bus entitlement. Interestingly one can renew with vision in only one eye, or complete deafness, etc.
Should apply to everyone driving on the road whatever age or vehicle. Would cost a lot to do, but save lives and injury. It will never happen because cost divided by number of lives saved/injurys treated does not give a good payback level for society.
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Well, the licence has turned, so quite good service I think.
Only thing is, the C1 has been removed and as I have no intention of ever wanting a bigger motor home, I am not that bothered.
Just about to leave for a few days in Suffolk.....it is all coming to an end for this year.
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