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It is now 10 years since the first photocard driving licences were issued, and those who received their licence 10 years ago must now update the photograph.
Unlike the old style paper driving licence the photocard driving licence expires after ten years and failing to update means that you will be driving on an Expired Licence. The expiry date of the licence can be found on the front of the licence.
For most people this will not be a problem as you will receive a reminder from DVLA two months before the expiry date of the licence.
The problem is for those who have not notified DVLA of a change of personal details such as change of address. You are therefore advised to check your driving licence immediately. The cost to renew a photocard licence is £17.50.
Please be aware it is an offence to drive with an expired licence and/or for failing to notify the DVLA of a change of address, if prosecuted you could receive a fine of up to £1,000 so please check.
Due to omissions being made by DVLA you should take a copy of your existing licence before you send it away and check your new licence closely on return, the text below explains why.
The DVLA are making mistakes when driving licences are being submitted for variation i.e. address change, or 10 year limit on photo licences.
For drivers who passed their test pre 1997 with automatic entitlement for Category BE, C1, C1E, D1 and D1E may find their licence coming back WITHOUT these entitlements. This will mean that the driver is technically driving illegally and subject to prosecution.
Without being able to prove that these entitlements existed before the licence was submitted for variation the driver will be required to take a test for the various groups before these can be reinstated on the licence.
The only protection is for the driver to take a copy of the licence before sending it off; otherwise they will need to take another test!
Categories - Pre 1997
Unlike the old style paper driving licence the photocard driving licence expires after ten years and failing to update means that you will be driving on an Expired Licence. The expiry date of the licence can be found on the front of the licence.
For most people this will not be a problem as you will receive a reminder from DVLA two months before the expiry date of the licence.
The problem is for those who have not notified DVLA of a change of personal details such as change of address. You are therefore advised to check your driving licence immediately. The cost to renew a photocard licence is £17.50.
Please be aware it is an offence to drive with an expired licence and/or for failing to notify the DVLA of a change of address, if prosecuted you could receive a fine of up to £1,000 so please check.
Due to omissions being made by DVLA you should take a copy of your existing licence before you send it away and check your new licence closely on return, the text below explains why.
The DVLA are making mistakes when driving licences are being submitted for variation i.e. address change, or 10 year limit on photo licences.
For drivers who passed their test pre 1997 with automatic entitlement for Category BE, C1, C1E, D1 and D1E may find their licence coming back WITHOUT these entitlements. This will mean that the driver is technically driving illegally and subject to prosecution.
Without being able to prove that these entitlements existed before the licence was submitted for variation the driver will be required to take a test for the various groups before these can be reinstated on the licence.
The only protection is for the driver to take a copy of the licence before sending it off; otherwise they will need to take another test!
Categories - Pre 1997
- BE - Cars + Trailer where the total combined mass does not exceed 3,500Kg
- C1 - Lorries between 3,500 kg – 7,500 kg with a trailer up to 750kg
- C1E - As above with a total weight not exceeding 8,250kg
- D1 - Vehicles between 9 – 16 passenger seats with a trailer not exceeding 750kg
- D1E - As above but the total combination of vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12,000kg
- Loss of Licence through prosecution
Must go and have a look.
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