Driving licence renewal after 70

Thanks for all your replies. I have tried again online but no luck. They say I need to change my driving licence photo as they cannot confirm my identity online from my passport. Have I changed that much ?😒

I applied about a year ago - dont have a car now - and they came back, quickly, to ask me for a photograph. I was nearly 80 and had red hair so……..

I renewed mine easily online but only for ID purposes. I haven't driven for over 30 years and wouldn't want to. I am due to be 80 next year.

cc - I use my bus pass for everyday ID, like collecting parcels or receiving concession discounts.

I have just renewed my driving licence at 70. If I’d chosen my passport photo it would have arrived very quickly, but I decided that my passport pic was awful! I received a form on the post from DVLA and sent in a new photo. (Not sure if it’s any better or not!). I was instructed to cut up my old paper licence (from 1979 when I married), and send it back to Swansea. Job done. 👍

4allweknow

Never had to supply a new photo. I do have a chuckle at my bus pass photo, not renewed in 18 years.

The photo on my bus pass is truly awful, I almost hope that people think that it isn't me to be honest. How can I look like that, even on a bad day?!

Hi, I had to do a postal application because my passport and driving licence don’t exactly tally re my place of birth, as the name of the country I was born in has changed!

I rang the Driving Licence office and they were v helpful. I went to Sainsbury’s photo booth to get the photo (quite expensive, was shocked!). I photographed my driving licence for safety, the. Posted the actual driving licence and paperwork and got new licence back in 8 days.

Never had to supply a new photo. I do have a chuckle at my bus pass photo, not renewed in 18 years.

Boz

I am just about to renew mine. I should hope to take a selfie with my phone and add to online application form. Anyone had a problem with this?

Yes they are very particular with the photos they even refused one the Photo Booth had accepted so had to another one in Tesco. Got it done free

David49

You have to consider physically disabled drivers, there are many that cannot control their car as a fully able person would.
I knew one man, he struggled on sticks but his reaction ability was much slower than normal, one day he entered a roundabout in town, but for some reason carried straight on to the pavement injuring several pedestrians, one very seriously.

He must have been under close medical supervision, there should be a point where doctors call for a driving review.

Possibly his doctor was not aware that he was still driving? If he wanted to continue driving he may have avoided mentioning that he still drove.
I agree that some people are driving who really should not be on the road, but I doubt that GPs would agree to getting involved in any assessments of driving capability. It would be very time consuming, and they'd probably want to charge for the letter.

I just sent mine off and got it back pretty quickly, I didn't need to send a photo - and I don't have a passport. I'm starting to think I'd better get a passport again as you seem to need ID for more and more purposes now.
An ID card would probably be cheaper, but I'm not sure if many places accept them, though I've sometimes been able to use my Freedom Pass as ID in the past.

What browser are you using?

When some or other official site refuses to accept my forms, I switch to Firefox and fill in the form again, and there is no trouble.

Grandmotherto8

I've just renewed for the 3rd time. It was a new procedure that was being trialled, and was very easy. Had to do an electronic signature via a photo taken on my phone then cropped and uploaded and that too was simple. Within an hour I had confirmation that all was ok and I was ok for another 3 years.

I shall do this, I think. Was the electronic signature easy. Did you use a laptop or a phone?

Greenfinch.
I had exactly the same problem renewing online, apparently because my passport has an electronic signature,
But!! I filled in the form; photo was from a booth in Tesco which has a special thing for driving licences and passports, countersigned by friend and posted.
Back with 10 days. No problems and photo cost about a tenner.
All worries unfounded.

I've just renewed for the 3rd time. It was a new procedure that was being trialled, and was very easy. Had to do an electronic signature via a photo taken on my phone then cropped and uploaded and that too was simple. Within an hour I had confirmation that all was ok and I was ok for another 3 years.

I renewed my passport (for the third time) about six months ago. I had to have my GP’s written agreement that I was fit to drive, I think because I have MS. Anyway, I passed and all is well. It did take a while for the examination to be arranged, but I could drive in the meantime.

welbeck

I read that from ?Oct next year a GP letter would be needed for over 70s renewals.
Also a cognitive and sight test.
Every 3 years I think.

I didn't scrutinise it beyond vaguely wondering how much GPs would charge for the letter.

Excellent news.

I read that from ?Oct next year a GP letter would be needed for over 70s renewals.
Also a cognitive and sight test.
Every 3 years I think.

I didn't scrutinise it beyond vaguely wondering how much GPs would charge for the letter.

M0nica

I do not think age is any indication of whether you should stop driving or not.

I have had friends whose driving started deteriorating in their early 70s. I have also travelled quite confidently, sitting in the front passenger when the driver was over 90.

The main cause of accidents with older people is failing eye sight or dementia and that could be resolved by requiring a renewing driver to provide evidence of an up to date eye test and there is a very quick screening dementia questionnaire they use in A&E departments in hospitals that takes less than 5 minutes to administer, that could be used to screen renewing drivers. Score less than 7/10, or whatever, and you have to undergo a more extensive test and your licence could be revoked.

Sensible post.

You have to consider physically disabled drivers, there are many that cannot control their car as a fully able person would.
I knew one man, he struggled on sticks but his reaction ability was much slower than normal, one day he entered a roundabout in town, but for some reason carried straight on to the pavement injuring several pedestrians, one very seriously.

He must have been under close medical supervision, there should be a point where doctors call for a driving review.

Jaxjacky

Astitchintime

OH was reading an article recently which stated that revised legislation means we have to have a GP letter confirming we are fit to drive each time we renew……….has anyone any knowledge of this or is it just scaremongering?

No current legislation, but apparently discussions happening on eye and cognitive testing according to Google.

I hadn't read this but I think it would be absolutely the right thing.

Those selfish enough to drive with inadequate eyesight, or, sadly, are descending into dementia, do a lot of damage to the reputation and insurance costs of those older drivers, who are sound in eye and mind and are still capable of driving safely and well.

Astitchintime

OH was reading an article recently which stated that revised legislation means we have to have a GP letter confirming we are fit to drive each time we renew……….has anyone any knowledge of this or is it just scaremongering?

No current legislation, but apparently discussions happening on eye and cognitive testing according to Google.

I do not think age is any indication of whether you should stop driving or not.

I have had friends whose driving started deteriorating in their early 70s. I have also travelled quite confidently, sitting in the front passenger when the driver was over 90.

The main cause of accidents with older people is failing eye sight or dementia and that could be resolved by requiring a renewing driver to provide evidence of an up to date eye test and there is a very quick screening dementia questionnaire they use in A&E departments in hospitals that takes less than 5 minutes to administer, that could be used to screen renewing drivers. Score less than 7/10, or whatever, and you have to undergo a more extensive test and your licence could be revoked.

ferry23

Astitchintime

OH was reading an article recently which stated that revised legislation means we have to have a GP letter confirming we are fit to drive each time we renew……….has anyone any knowledge of this or is it just scaremongering?

I renewed mine a month ago and there was no GP letter mentioned.

I think GP's have enough to do without writing a letter for every over 70 renewing their licence!

I totally agree with you……this is supposedly forthcoming legislation apparently and not in action already so it wouldn’t have affected you.
I was asking if anyone else had read the article, that’s all.

Astitchintime

OH was reading an article recently which stated that revised legislation means we have to have a GP letter confirming we are fit to drive each time we renew……….has anyone any knowledge of this or is it just scaremongering?

I renewed mine a month ago and there was no GP letter mentioned.

I think GP's have enough to do without writing a letter for every over 70 renewing their licence!