In praise of a Gov department! - Yes I know, that's a shock statement!
Had to do my over 70 Driving License renewal for upcoming birthday. Did the on-line application as it meant no hard copy support documents needed to be posted. Did that on Tues 11, got confirmation email near instantly that application was being processed, new license (all info being correct) should be received within two weeks. Blow me, 4 days later, Sat 15th, the new license plops on the doormat in today's post!
I'm not the biggest fan of Gov departments, had more than my fair share of run ins with them over the years, where they seem hell bent on demonstrating how moronically incompetent they can be! But all credit, got it spot on this time, I suspect a lot was automated with cross referencing of data references and retrieval of already held passport photo, so minimal 'human' input if at all! However it was done, it was done well, and I'm a happy bunny!
Did wonder how well it would all go, as I was still holding an old style paper licence issued way back in the last century, and had never held a photo-card license, and don't think paper one ever been updated since I passed my test back in 1973!
I'll miss the look of bewilderment when asked for my driving license when the garage wants to process my details for loan of a courtesy car, and I present them with a pink and green bit of paper, the 'youngsters' aren't quite sure it's a genuine license as never seen one before, one even quipped "blimey, that's a lot older than me!", one of the older managers usually gets called to confirm what they are supposed to do with it! Past joys, I'm now just one of the masses and will have to find other ways of befuddling the 'kiddies'!
I have my old paper licence filed away. Having hit 73, I had to send a new photo for the renewal this time; white hair and a light background meant the top half of my head sort of fades away, there's nothing much north of the eyebrows! I suppose it still looks a bit like me...It arrived quite quickly, I've no complaints. They do get some things right!
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I agree with you Monty, the driving licence renewal works a treat on line.
Beginning of this month I renewed the road tax (as it used to be called) on the Mondeo. I had not received a renewal notice for it, but it was so easy to do on line. Having finished I took the questionnaire and responded it was so easy, even I could manage it. This week I did the same for Young Aunty’s little ev. This does not yet need renewing, but I had taken note of suggestions to do it before April 1st and gain maximum time of zero rating. Even that was easy.
That's super quick, Monty15. I'm in the same boat, but have yet to renew my licence. One question: when you get your new licence, is it valid from the date it was processed, or from your (70th) birthday? Have tried looking that up online, but got nowhere.
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 15/3/2025
One question: when you get your new licence, is it valid from the date it was processed, or from your (70th) birthday? Have tried looking that up online, but got nowhere.
I can confirm that it will be valid from the date it was issued until the eve of the 73rd birthday. Did mine a few weeks ago and was equally efficient ... As was my replacement passport last month and the recent sorting of my wife's tax self assessment!
I think I waited until I was 70 before renewing. Maybe I had a reminder?
Those of you who have been driving in France should have changed to a photo licence, I'd been touring for 3 years before I realised! So my paper licence was retired at that point, over 20 years ago now.
Strangely, in the UK you have to update your photo every now and then, but not so in France. So my friend who has lived there most of her adult life has a photo of her aged 18 on it.
Anything with data already on file such as driving licence, passport is now very streamlined as a lot of the info is now joined up. Daughter bought a car last week, registered in her name on Monday, new V5c arrived on Thursday.
However HMRC is a different beast. I have an adjustment on my tax code based on historic and incorrect data relating to interest on savings accounts. This data isn't available online to change, so the only choice is to call.
After two weeks of trying every day, sometimes on hold for over an hour, I've given up in the hope it will be resolved at some point when the correct third party data is received
Quote: Originally posted by MrDasherD on 15/3/2025
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 15/3/2025
One question: when you get your new licence, is it valid from the date it was processed, or from your (70th) birthday? Have tried looking that up online, but got nowhere.
I can confirm that it will be valid from the date it was issued until the eve of the 73rd birthday. Did mine a few weeks ago and was equally efficient ... As was my replacement passport last month and the recent sorting of my wife's tax self assessment!
Thank you for that info, very useful. I'll sort mine out next week and hope it's as efficient as yours and Monty15's
Have to say I have had excellent service from the DVLA, especially when my licence was in a wallet I had stolen in Rome. This was on the eve of the four day holiday for the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee. They arranged for a new licence to be sent to my UK address and faxed a document to the campsite we were staying at so that I could prove that I was entitled to drive. That was a mighty weight off my mind considering I was a 1000 miles plus from home!
My will be due to be changed later this year for the third time! I wonder if there is any point in them doing this 3 year thing once you reach 70? Does it serve any purpose?
Iank01, I suppose it might be a polite way of checking if we're still fit to drive, have had a recent eye test etc, as we have to tick lots of boxes on the form about health issues. If we've filled in the form saying we're fine and we're not, then there's an accident, the insurance might not pay out?
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My licensecat 73 took 4 days from the start of online application. Passport renewal took 8 days using the online process. I was kept informed of the process. Nice to see systems that work,
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Topic: In praise of a Gov department!
via mobile 15/3/2025 at 4:40pm
