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

Fro the reading all the above, it seems everyone is having different random experiences!! I'm now 79 so have renewed my licence 4 times - don't remember having too many problems but who knows! Once they DVLA did call me to discuss an eye problem I'd declared - I was very surprised! But they couldn't have been more helpful. Good luck to all of you out there. Maybe new updates are making the whole process more nightmareish?

Renewed mine again earlier this month with no hassle. You may have gone onto the Gov.1 site which is a nightmare but can be used for everything government related. I use an android phone. Received new licence 10 days later.

I had no problem renewing online.

I dd it last year and I don't recall having any trouble doing it.

I renewed mine online a few weeks ago. It was a bit involved, I even had to take a photo, and I was wearing my pj’s. But it all went through great. I have an android phone, no problems.

We recently moved and had to apply for replacements online (we’re 68 and 61, not yet 70).
Found it very straightforward and received new licences about a week later.

We gave our car up a couple of years ago so no longer drive. However, I renewed my license as I wanted it for identification purposes. I used my iPad and don’t recall any problems. It was straight forward to do and came back quickly. When doing it online you get a reference number which allows you to track at what stage the process is at. This was so useful when my dh’s licence was taking a long time to come. We were able to produce this if stopped while waiting for its arrival. It would be far more difficult by post with no confirming email and no reference. I did set up a Government Gateway a few years ago and sometimes they ask you if you have that reference which makes things much quicker. I don’t recognise the performance that you have experienced so it sounds as if things have changed. I am 84 now so probably won’t renew and depend on my passport which was recently renewed although we have no intention of going abroad. Perhaps an id card would be easier.

Supernana1

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.

I am in the same position as you and I'm also 79. I've been waiting since November. I received a letter stating I could drive in the interim but no licence. I have an eye condition which may or may not at some time in the future prove a problem. I was informed that if they required any further information, they would contact me. Still nothing. I've decided that as it made me anxious, I'd try to forget all about it. Once your licence is transferred to the medical department, phone calls are a waste of time. They simply say "it's with the medical department". I feel glum!

Wait until you have several medical problems . I got forms to fill in in June because I have glaucoma ( only in one eye ) and am type 2 diabetic . My sight is hardly affected by either . I have to fill in lots of questions about both problems and go to an optician of their choice to have a field test . I did one ages ago but still have no license despite mine lapsing in October. If you phone the DVLA expect to wait hours . When I did speak to someone I was told if your applications in in progress you can still drive despite not having a current license .

I helped DH with his application on 2 January, online because it’s been so easy in the past. He was directed to get a one login account this time and it took a while, lots of faffing and double checking and inputting of security numbers etc. And it’s still being processed four weeks later. With hindsight it would have been quicker and simpler for him just to have filled in the paper form, but it should be a doddle next time.

My licence is the original paper one. I have a few years yet before 70. The system may well have changed agsin by then. I dont see the point of having a plastic licence that you have to renew every 10 years and pay for the privilege, when my original is still valid from 1981

Sheian57

My licence is the original paper one. I have a few years yet before 70. The system may well have changed agsin by then. I dont see the point of having a plastic licence that you have to renew every 10 years and pay for the privilege, when my original is still valid from 1981

You don’t pay to renew your licence when you are 70.

Did it yesterday. Once if signed up to a gov.uk account it was easy but the gov.uk account was more of a pain.

Last time they could use my passport photo but this time it was expired so just took a photo with my phone and uploaded it which was easy.

Maggiemaybe

I helped DH with his application on 2 January, online because it’s been so easy in the past. He was directed to get a one login account this time and it took a while, lots of faffing and double checking and inputting of security numbers etc. And it’s still being processed four weeks later. With hindsight it would have been quicker and simpler for him just to have filled in the paper form, but it should be a doddle next time.

Yes the one login account is the issue.

Sheian57

My licence is the original paper one. I have a few years yet before 70. The system may well have changed agsin by then. I dont see the point of having a plastic licence that you have to renew every 10 years and pay for the privilege, when my original is still valid from 1981

Are you sure it’s valid? I’ve just read an article about this in my local news which says they should be renewed every 10 years. Please check or else your insurance could be invalid.

The old paper licences are still valid until you have to change any details, or until you have to renew them at 70.

theworriedwell

Did it yesterday. Once if signed up to a gov.uk account it was easy but the gov.uk account was more of a pain.

Last time they could use my passport photo but this time it was expired so just took a photo with my phone and uploaded it which was easy.

Just wanted to update and say my new licence arrived yesterday. So applied on 29th and received it on 4th. I thought that was good.

Over 80 health check form they send is very poor. Not mine, but I was double checking for someone.

Lollipop1

Supernana1

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.

I am in the same position as you and I'm also 79. I've been waiting since November. I received a letter stating I could drive in the interim but no licence. I have an eye condition which may or may not at some time in the future prove a problem. I was informed that if they required any further information, they would contact me. Still nothing. I've decided that as it made me anxious, I'd try to forget all about it. Once your licence is transferred to the medical department, phone calls are a waste of time. They simply say "it's with the medical department". I feel glum!

Same as my husband, though not the same medical issue.
He sent off his application in early November and is still waiting.
He was informed when it eventually passed to the medical department - about a month ago, I think - but nothing since,

I was over 80 when I applied for mine on 11th November, 2025. I received the health forms mid January and sent them back. I received my licence February 6th 2026. Only took 12 weeks. Last time, when under 80, it took a week.

This is what happened next. I downloaded the letter and took it to the designated post office with my driving licence. They scanned the letter and took photos of both sides of my driving licence. These were handed back to me and a prisoner type photo taken. I then came home to an email from Gov.Uk one login. I managed to log in and access my drivers and vehicle account where I then applied once more to renew my licence. I was asked if I wanted to use my old photo which they attached or upload a new one. I opted for the former and was finally able to click on the eyesight and medical questions. My application was then accepted and I await my renewed licence to arrive in due course. Phew! What a rigmarole. How come no one else has had to do this?