Anyone tried renewing their Driving Licence over 70 - why is it so difficult?

On top of that looking at the form I received in the post it says I do not need to provide a photo if I am renewing my licence. I just complete the form including signing medical conditions if any and send back with my current licence. So do I just scrap the post offices letter and send in the form by post which is much easier.

Jings! They don't make it easy. Good luck.

I'd definitely do it by post, I think.

I don't recall having to navigate this rigmarole when I renewed at 70 and that was only 5 years ago.

If you can track down a phone number for the DVLA (it's on their site somewhere) I've found that they can be pleasant and helpful. Perhaps you should have a go at ringing them.

I have just been through that ordeal but was allowed to use my passport photo as ID.
I am still awaiting the actual licence card.
This is the 2nd time I am renewing on line since my 70th

Hey ho. I've been driving since 1967. I have regular eye tests and have had cataract surgery in both eyes.

I do agree with sight and cognitive testing for us older drivers but it seems rather unfair to test us on our internet skills .
Now if there was a mental arithmetic test....... 😉

It's not difficult, I've done it three times now with no problems,

It was straightforward for me last year, although I use an iPhone. Did it say why your Android phone was ‘unsuitable’? Perhaps it needs a the latest update, if you’ve not done that lately.

I don’t think it’s an age-related thing, though. My 38yo dd ended up having to renew her licence in person last year because the online programme refused to accept her ID. When she got to the PO with all the paperwork in hand, they still couldn’t do it because the PO was in the process of changing from it’s WHSmith name to the TJJones name but their computers hadn’t been upgraded to run the programmes.

She ended up going to an actual, stand-alone PO about 30 miles away to renew it. 🤦‍♀️

I've done it twice online (laptop, not phone, if that makes a difference) and it has been straightforward and quick. Have they changed the system since 2024, when I last did it?

I had to do mine recently.

I did it online, and the licence came very quickly.

It used my passport photo, which wasn’t as nice as my previous DL one, but it seemed the easier option.

I found it relatively simple and you do have to do this every three years.

I do need to submit a new photo next time, but definitely not my passport photo!!

My husband renewed driving license at 70 years of age, having been born in England and lived here all of his life. He was told he was not born here would need a visa to stay here and get a driving license.

Fairynan Unbelievable!

DH was trying, unsuccessfully, to renew his Blue Badge so asked me to do it.
What a rigmarole, I tried to edit one tiny thing at the end, so it then decided to send me back to the beginning, progress so far and back to the beginning again about five times.
Ever decreasing circles.

I did it this August, online. I did nto have a problem. I do _not- use apps and I have an android phone.

Sorry you’re having these problems. I renewed DH’s licence for him online last year without a problem. Let’s wait till I try mine.

I was invited to renew my licence three months before my 70th birthday. Very straightforward. Took about ten minutes to do. DVLA has a link to the Passport Office and used the same photo. New photo licence received two days later. So no, not difficult at all.

If you think it's bad at 70, it gets worse at over 80. Between 70-80 I renewed my licence very easily, receiving it back within a week. Now, over 80, I applied mid November, at last got the medical forms last week but my licence has now expired. I am fully expecting it to take them as long to deal with medical form and then tell me I need a new test. I know there is a government move to get unsafe, older drivers off the road and I don't disagree with that but at least send the medical forms out at same time as renewal notice. The only redeeming feature in my extended application is the marvellous help I got from my doctor's surgery and hospital department (pacemaker) with info and dates. I got the feeling they were used to such DVLA requests. Fingers crossed we both get positive outcomes.

That's really awful and I sympathise.
But I've renewed my driving licence several times with no problems.
But I didn't do it online. Things are changing . Not always for the best
Good luck.

I’ve renewed my driving licence online twice with no problem, but since last time the website has been changed, so it’s now more complicated. I got as far as downloading the QR code and started to download the app. It needed me to put in a password, which it wouldn’t accept, so changed it and messed up my email etc. it took half an hour on the phone to BT and a visit from my son in law to get the email back!

I gave up then, filled in the paper form & sent it back with my current licence. I got my new licence back in 2 weeks!
It’s almost enough to make me give up driving!

Yes I did it 3 years ago online with no problems. Just this time. It never gave me any security questions so I am wondering if there was a blip in the system. There is an online chat which I might take it up with.

They sent me the paperwork and I just sent it back No issue.

Wish I’d done that Visgirl but last time it was so simple online.

I did mine for the second time on line a month ago. No problems took about 5 minutes and they used the photo from my recently renewed passport. I received my licence less than a week later

I did the 70s one digitally at a post office which had a special photo kiosk. It came back almost return of post.They took all that out!?! So 73 one was done old-fashioned way with post and a stamp. Not return of post. Still waiting several weeks later.

I am 79 and have renewed in the past with no difficulties. This time, I had to post the old licence with a photo. I also ticked the box to say I have Type 2 diabetes - maybe I didn't do this in the past and this has caused the problem.

I posted the licence and photo at the beginning of November and still don't have the new licence. Their website is a maze - trying to find an email address or phone number was really difficult. One tip - if you manage to find a phone number make a note of it, because you will probably never be able to find it on their website again.

One - very polite - man I spoke to confirmed they had received my old licence, then a few seconds later refused to confirm that they had received it. Very peculiar.

The latest is that I am now waiting to receive a medical questionnaire through the post, which I have to fill in and return. Lord only knows how long that will take and how long they will take to process the questionnaire.

They have, however, said I can continue to drive without a licence, because it is in the process of being renewed.

I posted the licence on 7 November 2025 - just how long can it take to do such a simple job? I'm losing the will to live.

You only have to tell them you have diabetes if you are being treated with insulin. I just looked it up on their notes.