Driving Licence renewal 70+

[Ross365]

I had the dreaded renewal form arrive about three weeks ago. Going online to renew, at one stage, I think it was suggesting that I had declared a medical condition which they did not know about, but it didn't then say what they were referring to . The only thing I could possibly think of is that I now wear glasses, which I didn't when I got the licence in ~1973; perhaps I didn't tell them?

Can anyone tell me how long it normally takes the new licence at 70 to come though?
Thanks

 

[Trevorleach]

I had the dreaded renewal form arrive about three weeks ago. Going online to renew, at one stage, I think it was suggesting that I had declared a medical condition which they did not know about, but it didn't then say what they were referring to . The only thing I could possibly think of is that I now wear glasses, which I didn't when I got the licence in ~1973; perhaps I didn't tell them?

Can anyone tell me how long it normally takes the new licence at 70 to come though?
Thanks

Never send you old licence back, if they ask you have lost it, then when/if they cock up your new one you can amazingly find your lost licence and prove what entitlements you had.

 

[jenki]

Mine was pretty quick 3 years ago but I have lost the large trailer towing category, I'm OK up to 750kg unbreaked as I understand it. If you want to keep that category then you need a doctors confirmation of your health on some form. Good luck with that.
As I understand it you can purchase the confirmation its the same as HGV/PSV licences from private companies but about £70 when I enquired. This info may be out of date as some changes were made when we suddenly realised we had a HGV driver shortage.

 

[Seadog]

Glasses are not notifiable. As suggested, keep your old licence. Categories have been known to go misding. Take a photo of it which can be presented in evidence

 

[dave h 2]

You send it back after you get the new one mine came in less than 2 weeks. I can't drive 7 ton trucks anymore - gutted

 

[Beanwood]

Be careful if going to the post office. I went there to sort out the digital photo - they took my card off me to fill in the details for renewal, and without telling me what they were going to do, chopped it up there and then!!

 

[Revs1972]

There's no need to notify them if you need glasses for driving. When you apply for a driving license, however, you have to state at that time if you wear glasses when driving, in which case your license is usually endorsed with the code 01.

As per

 

[8ob]

Not sure if the rules are different for a car licence, a truck one is valid until they inform you that it isn't. So basically as long as the application is in you have a licence even though it expired.

Bob

 

[Revs1972]

Very timely this . Upon looking at my licence it appears I need to renew it in July of this year

 

[Onoff]

Glasses are not notifiable. As suggested, keep your old licence. Categories have been known to go misding. Take a photo of it which can be presented in evidence

Take a photo of BOTH sides.

 

[Morrisman]

Never send you old licence back, if they ask you have lost it, then when/if they cock up your new one you can amazingly find your lost licence and prove what entitlements you had.

I currently have 3 old licences, I had to sign that I would cut the old ones in half and post them to DVLA, but I never did and nobody has ever said anything.

 

[Seadog]

I have all of my old licences, that's back to 1967.

 

[colnerov]

I have all of my old licences, that's back to 1967.

The little red book?

 

[Seadog]

That's the one.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I have compromised vision in one eye but there's only a tick box saying that you only have sight in one eye. Been driving like this for the last 11 and a bit years.

No problem with online renewal at 73 but this time, despite inputting all details requested (even my current passport info) I twice got the message "Sorry, we are unable to confirm your identity".

So I did it the old way and completed/posted in the form. Weeks went past and no sign of the new licence. I eventually phoned DVLA to find my application was being reviewed by their medical section. Passed through to someone there who said it was being "looked at". I told them all the details and that I'd had an eye test in the July when I was given the all clear.

Functionary couldn't explain why it was being reviewed but that he'd "look at it again". Nor could he explain why my two attempts at online renewal hadn't worked.

My new licence arrived within the week. Complete bunch of MUPPETS!!! .

Makes one wonder what would have happened had I not been proactive?

 

[Ross365]

Absolutely right.... I have not destroyed or returned my existing licence, and but have made an enlarged photocopy to carry in the car.

My advice to anyone filling in that online form is make sure you are wide awake when you do it.

I have had my problems with Companies House in the past and suspect that DVLA could be much the same .

 

[The Artilleryman]

DVLA and license renewals (with medical problems) has always been a nightmare. Colleague of mine who was over 65 - so yearly D4 medical for his PSV - would normally wait about 9 months for DVLA to decide he could still drive and then a week later get his next renewal application paperwork.

All this time he can still drive a bus.

 

[The Artilleryman]

Complete bunch of MUPPETS!!! .

They can't even answer a simple question like "Is class C1/C1E (test passed before 01/01/1997) Group 1 " I asked as I had a minor stroke early last year and wanted to check that driving what will soon be a 4t motorhome, would be covered by there letter saying I can continue to drive Group 1.

At age 70 you require a D4 medical to drive Class C1/C1E (3.5t to 7.5t). Also Stroke/TIA are an automatic 12month ban (for Group 2).