Drinking Licence

[sherrardk]

Chatting today and apparently there is a huge fine if your driving licence is not up to date. I have just had a look and to apply for a photo card driving licence I must have my paper licence available (I have no idea where that is). Can I do it online without the paper licence? Also, I'm not overly sure what surname is on my paper licence - would that be an issue (probably should have checked this sooner seeing as we have been married nearly 20 years). Oh, and I have no idea what address is on my original licence (we have moved seven times since I passed my test).

[Eve]

Drinking licence, glad it's not just me with random words today :)

[sherrardk]

Whoops, I lame this stupid iPad!

[sherrardk]

Blame ^

[ummmm]

Pmsl...

[ummmm]

I also only have a paper licence. Luckily I remember the address from 15 years ago!!

[hippyhoppy]

Was having a chat about licences at work.. and as long as the name and address is correct on your paper licence there's no need to get a photo one. Once you do get a photo one (for £20) you have to update it ever 10 years at a cost (currently £20 but that's bound to go up over a 10 year period).. So I'm sticking with my dogeared pink one as I'm not bloody made of money...!

However, seeing as you can't find yours and you've moved you need to get a photocard one sorted as soon as you can.

Have a look on here as it says you can replace a lost one...

https://www.drivinglicence.uk.com/applicationtype.php

[Fitzer]

It is an offence not to update your licence with a current address so when you apply to replace your lost licence, it 'got lost in the move that just happened and is the only one in twenty years', nudge, nudge

[hippyhoppy]

Blimey sherr, just has a look and it seems to replace a 'lost' licence is going to set you back £50!!!!! Defo going to stick with my paper one from 1997...!

[boxtops]

I understood that when you change any details on your licence (e.g. your name or address) you have to have the card one.

[sherrardk]

Thanks all, there is one place where it might be so I will have a look tomorrow. Will have to get a photo card one because the address is definitely wrong on it.

[AlwaysConfused]

Phew, I am relieved. Looking at the title, I thought I was going to need a licence for the pint of cider in my hand!

[sherrardk]

£50!! I will definitely have a look where I think it might be (we have moved 3 times in the last six years and I don't remember seeing it).

[sherrardk]

Bugger, it's worse than I thought. Went and looked where it might have been and its not there (but neither is the stuff I thought it might be with - birth certificates, wedding certificate, degree certificate, etc, etc). Night of worrying now until I can have a proper look tomorrow.

[ABerrant]

There is no good reason to use the company in hippyhoppy's link - they are charging a £30 fee to pass on the details you need to give to the DVLA to obtain a replacement licence, which itself costs £20.

http://www.gov.uk/apply-online-to-replace-a-driving-licence

[Jeza]

When my car was stolen about 20 years ago the police asked me for my D/L. The address was wrong as we had moved and I hadn't updated it. They told me to update it immediately. No charges were brought. I still have the scraggy bit of paper that is my licence and will not be paying money to get it updated.

May I add when the paper licence was brought in ( as opposed to the little red book which was renewable every few years ) I was told it was a one off fee and the licence would last for life, Even if you moved house or changed your name. As in getting married. I think it was £5.

[parkie]

Hi sherrardk. The DVLA apparently intend to replace all paper driving licences with photocards by 2015.
These will then be replaced every 10 years to keep photo's up to date.
Over 70 years of age will not incur a charge.
So if you are now 69 ish and hold out another 12 months or so you could get your new driving licence free of charge.

[EDDIE51]

sherrardk You HAVE to change the details on your driving licence as soon as you move house . It is a legal requierment , cost's £20 a time though .
If you gave the new address on your insurance but did not change your driving licence then the insurance could be voided in the event of a claim .
Do you not keep your licence with you at all times ? it can cause a lot of problems if you are stopped for a check and you do not have the licence on you. The police will ask your address and you give them the current one but the licence record says diffrent. That means they have to arrest you until they can prove where you live and that you are who you say you are.
You may well have a problem as to get a new licence you need to state the details on the original one , to say I am not sure of my name or address on the licence will look very 'suspect' .
You do not need the paper licence but you DO need to know the details on the licence you can not find .

[Answerprancer]

That is one spectacular Freudian slip Sherrard!
I have serious objections to the 'voluntary ID card' driving license and proudly still have my paper one (though it is linked to a previous address).
Sorry that doesn't answer your question, but it links.

[Hopkirk]

Updating the address on a photo driving licence is free, Eddie.

The £20 charge only kicks in if you choose to update the photo at the same time.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees

[EDDIE51]

I repeat
IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT YOUR DRIVING LICENCE SHOWS YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS !!!
Those of you driving around with an out of date licence are breaking the law and in the event of a claim the insurance may refuse to pay out .