Driving Licence Renewal

[rsvp]

I'm a lady of 'a certain age' - I have a new type driving licence which I understand is only valid for 10 years (I found this out from a friend, checked on my licence but can't see anywhere where it tells me this ) - now there is a little arrow pointing down in the bottom left hand corner with Dec 15 showing if I flick the card around a bit. Is this it? the time I need to renew it? and if so how do I know what date I need to do this or will the DVLA notify me? Seems a little tenuous to me, I really did read through my driving licence and couldn't find anywhere to tell me how long the licence ran for. Long sigh......I really must be getting old.

[lady-janine]

i expect the DVLA will let you know when you need to renew.

[bednobs]

if you have a photocard , it'll be on there what date it's valid till. It's in the middle (4b on this example) https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=driving+licence&hl=en&;rlz=1C1AFAB_enGB450GB450&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ZnQuUaj5NtLM0AWMhIDIDA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#imgrc=ZPv-8EflwLQcWM%3A%3By_IvrWw-eArxaM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages.motoring.co.uk%252Fimages%252FnewsImages%252Fdriving-licence-exchange-rules-tightened-52313-1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.motoring.co.uk%252Fcar-news%252Fdriving-licence-exchange-rules-tightened_52313%3B400%3B249

[ABerrant]

If you are a photocard licence holder, the expiry date of the licence is shown in section 4b.
It is a legal requirement to keep it up to date.
If you fail to do this, it could cost you a £1000 fine.

https://www.dvla.gov.uk/dvla/forms/~/media/pdf/leaflets/D100.ashx

[rsvp]

thanks lady janine - I'm hoping that's the case - don't suppose that in 2015 I'll remember where I've put the note 'renew driving licence' - it's unlikely I'll remember where I've left the car at that stage.

[rsvp]

bednobs and ABerrant - can't believe I missed that - thank you so much - maybe I shoudn't venture out without a carer from now on. Feel stupid and creep off into a darkened room.

[DJHawkes]

mine is up 03 05 2016 just 6 months after yours, if I'm still here (the man upstairs willing) and if you're still here (ditto) I'll try to remember to remind you in time!

[rsvp]

DJHawkes - it's a date - love the idea.

[DJHawkes]

i hadn't even noticed it expired then, I thought it expired when i reached 70! Also didn;t notice that on the back it says when I first got my full license, (18-02-76) .

[DJHawkes]

That can't be right though as I passed my test when I was 19 (Feb 1975), I think back then the provisional license was valid after passing a test and you only needed to send it in when it expired rather than exchange it for a full as soon as you passed the test.

[rsvp]

so I've maybe saved you from a fate worse than death - if the DVLA catch up with you - (I'm told) terrible things follow!

[Hopkirk]

Don't worry, the DVLA will write to you near the time.

[rsvp]

thank you hopkirk - appreciate the reply

[jubieanna]

Sorry rsvp to go off topic slightly but I still have my paper licence. is this still legal?.....she says hopefully

[rsvp]

Jubianna -Think there is something about the paper licences on the dvla web site but I haven't read it.

[EDDIE51]

They don't remind you , it is up to you to remember. Many people have been caught out driving without a licence as they failed to renew.

[rsvp]

I'll remember that Eddie 51 - thank you.

[EDDIE51]

Paper licenses are still valid but if your details change at all , new address etc then you have to get a new photo ID licence . Again many people have been caught out by not renewing the licence when they moved house .

[EDDIE51]

Hopkirk , ok they do remind you sorry I though they didn't. The problem is very many people move house in the 10 years the licence is valid but do not change the details so the reminder goes to the old address and no one sees it. Just checked mine runs out on my 65th birthday , it this normal or just a co-incidence?

[Hopkirk]

If it expires you are not driving without a licence - you are driving with a valid licence which has an expired photo.

[EDDIE51]

Hopkirk you are wrong , if the licence has expired that is it expired , no longer valid , people have been fined convicted and fined for it. You have an absolute obligation to make sure your licence is valid.