Give more than 12 weeks to renew Licence at 70
While I collected up my birthday cards this morning, still disappointed not to find a little pink plastic card (aka driving licence) from the DVLA!!
It's taking quite a time for licences to come through. If anyone on here is approaching the grand age of 70 and wishes to keep their 'full driving entitlement', I reckon it's worth giving the DVLA 6 months notice!! I waited for the forms to come through and filled them in straight away. Organised the Doctor's appointment, paid £75 for the privilege of him filling in his form, and posted them off the same day.
Unless you send the application recorded delivery, they will not be able to check even if they have received your application. I never even gave it a thought when I sent off my application and therefore just got a certificate of posting.
However, I now know they have received my application, as instead of the new licence, they have acknowledged receipt by sending me a letter saying they need to contact my Doctor for further information.
As my GP has already indicated that I am absolutely fine to drive (although I do have medical conditions to declare), I will now need to exercise my right to drive without a licence under Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act.
This is just a word of warning for anyone who wishes to keep their full driving entitlement after the age of 70. If you wish to 'downsize your licence' (I.e. not to tow or to tow something a bit smaller), you can apply on line. If you want to keep your full entitlement, give them plenty of time (it's taking them longer than 3 months for me) - and for peace of mind, send the application registered post. You can get the forms at any time from the post office.
David
P.S. Give your GP time to arrange an appointment to fill in the form (£75 for me).... and your optician will also need to fill in the first page (free for me).
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Hope they sort you out soon, David.
I'm glad I decided the B+E was quite enough for my needs. This info is really useful -
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/advice-for-beginners/driving-licences/
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I don’t think many opt to keep it, David, unless they have heavier MHs. The scope for towing is quite generous for tuggers.
I've read on other forums of people experiencing delays if they wish to retain the C entitlements so you're not alone.
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Last year, due to covid an extension was given for 2020 licence renewals, I think there must be quite a delay due to this and covid working restrictions. I applied for mine a couple of weeks ago, still waiting but I'm carrying round a print out to prove I've done it. According to the gov.uk web site there are also two million people who haven't realised their photo licences need renewing after ten years! There's a £1000 fine if you forget.
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David
Just out of curiosity why are you wanting to retain your full licence? I imagine you might have passed your test before 1997? Not many towcars over 3500kgs? Perhaps a large motorhome on the horizon
Margaret has just had to renew her medical licence which was by self declaration, subject to her doctor being consulted if necessary, and that came through pretty quickly. Probably more work to do when it's the first time.
David
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Sound advice about sending it recorded delivery. I didn't and was worried it hadn't been received but I did retain copies of my application just in case. My renewal took 7 weeks and was received before the current licence actually expired. They do warn about delays indicating typically it is taking 6 weeks for renewals. It can take much longer if medical enquiries are necessary but as long as your application is in you can continue to drive until the application is refused.
peedee
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but as long as your application is in you can continue to drive until the application is refused.
Just to clarify, for anyone who is reading this, ....this is the Section 88 of the road traffic act which I referred to in the OP. In order to do this your GP should agree that it is OK for you to drive. You are allowed to drive for 12 months under the conditions of your old licence .
David
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A neighbour has been waiting for well over 12 months for his 'over 70' licence as he has a medical condition. He had a letter from the DVLA telling him to use the letter as authority to drive for the following 12 months or until he hears otherwise but this has now also expired. He isn't particularly bothered whether he continues driving or not, he doesn't use his car much at the best of times but as he pointed out, he is still paying insurance and road tax and his car's value is being reduced whilst ever he can't legally drive it.
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I posted my renewal quite some time ago with no medical requirement but had nothing back yet from DVLA, but my 11 months extension is good until September.
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I've just renewed my three year licence again (approaching 73 yrs) and did it online on the 5th May. New licence arrived last week whilst away.
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