New Eye Test rules for DL renewal - over 70's from July 2025

This YouTube is run by Camel Finance not the government, I’ve seen nothing yet stating changes to over 70’s driving licensing is now law.
There are proposals, that’s it. Please be careful which sites you read and don’t ever send money.

You could be right and I will be careful but have had great difficulty renewing online as there is no facility to download a photo - I have to send a signed actual photo like a passport. They now want eye test details and ask for your NI number to probably check your general health.
I cannot really mind and will comply as it is for safety reasons.

That’s interesting Boz. I could not apply online as it came up that they were not able to identify me from my passport details!! I also had to send the photo by post but did not have to sign it. I am now waiting to hear from them.

Greenfinch

That’s interesting Boz. I could not apply online as it came up that they were not able to identify me from my passport details!! I also had to send the photo by post but did not have to sign it. I am now waiting to hear from them.

I spent several fruitless hours trying to renew online - nearly losing the will to live let alone drive.
Today I will get a photo done and have booked any eyetest on Thursday even though I had one 16 mths ago which should be valid. Heres hoping all will be ok.

I spent hours as well Boz even getting my son to help me. I had to have a new photo done as I was not sure they would accept the one I used before. Check about the signing though. I think the small print says it doesn’t have to be signed.

The DVLA site DOES NOT request proof of an eyesight test, you just sign to say you’re eyes are ok and renewal is free.

I also couldn't renew online as my passport has expired and I haven't got a new one. So had to send photo in with form but nobody had to sign it and I just had to tick a box to say I'd had my eyes tested.

New licence arrived within a week

As Jaxjacky has said the information on YouTube is not correct. So much false information on there. Look at the DVLA website for the correct information.

OK, Got the point. Will take this post down soon, so as not to spread disinformation but I would very much like to thank those who have helped me.

Boz

You could be right and I will be careful but have had great difficulty renewing online as there is no facility to download a photo - I have to send a signed actual photo like a passport. They now want eye test details and ask for your NI number to probably check your general health.
I cannot really mind and will comply as it is for safety reasons.

But what has our NI numbers got to do with our state of health??? Nothing in my opinion as the two are not linked, NI links to DWP records not health records.

It sounds as though you might have been trying to renew via an unofficial site, unfortunately.

I posted my renewal application on 20th June, which is more than the three weeks ago that DVLA assure the new licence should be received by. Wondering how long I should wait before contacting them? Does anyone else have experience of delays?

Boz
I think this is the right site:

www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70

Boz

OK, Got the point. Will take this post down soon, so as not to spread disinformation but I would very much like to thank those who have helped me.

Please don’t feel bad. It was soon corrected and made it clear how easy it is to be misled. The YouTube thing seemed very authentic. As it turned out, you started an interesting discussion, highlighting how easy it is for us to be drawn in by nefarious people and fake websites out there. I would say that it ended up being a very helpful post.

I ‘ve been waiting two weeks Jenny.

Greenfinch

I ‘ve been waiting two weeks Jenny.

Did you apply online or by post?

Post. See up thread.

I did mine on line and it came back within a week.

Jennerdysphoria

I posted my renewal application on 20th June, which is more than the three weeks ago that DVLA assure the new licence should be received by. Wondering how long I should wait before contacting them? Does anyone else have experience of delays?

My husband recently received his within a couple of days

The misinformation which started this thread ought to be taken down. Eye tests are not required.

Grantanow - Correct, eye tests are not required. My 84 year old husband renewed his licence online yesterday and the only question asked related to whether nh needed to wear spectacles for driving. He said no (as his recent cataract operation has meant he no longer wears them for anything at all) and the prompt came to ask him if that was the correct answer as it was different from the information on their system. He repeated that it was correct and he went forward to the next step unhindered.

My husband has just renewed his via the Gov.uk website, you do NOT need to provide a photo or N.I. number, and you do NOT need an eye test. Please double check what website you are using as there are so many scams around

New one on me? Never heard of this???

I'm about to renew mine as I'm about to be 79 - couldn't see anything different on the form from before? Hopefully I'll be able to do it all on line without any difficulty.