Driving licence returned after 2 working days.

[spikehcm681]

We've just returned from Portugal, after our allotted 90 days. While there I tried to renew my (over 70) driving licence online - as my birthday is coming up soon and I heard stories about how long it might take.

The system wouldn't allow me to do so - but wouldn't say why. It did say that the DVLA would send me an application 3 months before the expiry of my licence and I could apply using the ordinary application form - which would be delivered to my home address in the UK and thus of little use to me.

So immediately after getting home I thought I'd use the DVLA's "chat" facility to find out the reason - but before doing so I had one last try at renewing it online.

And it let me! - on Saturday. The replacement arrived in today's post. So "chapeau" to the DVLA.

In the meantime (in Monday's post) the renewal application from the DVLA arrived.

I've now worked out what was happening - and as it was my fault I thought I'd explain it so that nobody else makes the same mistake.

I was assuming that the renewal date would be my birthday (July) - but when I first applied for an over 70 licence the DVLA took 3 months to process it - so my renewal date is now September. (Note to self - try and remember for next time).

Passport application forms sent off on Saturday too - but the system isn't yet showing that they've received our returned ones.

Fingers crossed!

 

[TDub49]

The co-pilot had a similar experience renewing her licence - i.e. completed on line and in her hands two days later. Excellent service.

 

[rb62]

The delays are for those reaching 70 and wishing to retain their C1 entitlement,especially if they have medical conditions that are referred to the medical board.

 

[Bailey58]

And I've just applied after discovering last week that you can't apply earlier than 90 days before expiry. It was traumatic cutting up the old one and sticking it in the post!

 

[nicholsong]

Are those who received licences in 2 days were actually on the DVLA website and they are not fake?

Actually I have just realised that the application was through the automated system and no human involvement - explains all.

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[icantremember]

We've just returned from Portugal, after our allotted 90 days. While there I tried to renew my (over 70) driving licence online - as my birthday is coming up soon and I heard stories about how long it might take.

The system wouldn't allow me to do so - but wouldn't say why. It did say that the DVLA would send me an application 3 months before the expiry of my licence and I could apply using the ordinary application form - which would be delivered to my home address in the UK and thus of little use to me.

So immediately after getting home I thought I'd use the DVLA's "chat" facility to find out the reason - but before doing so I had one last try at renewing it online.

And it let me! - on Saturday. The replacement arrived in today's post. So "chapeau" to the DVLA.

In the meantime (in Monday's post) the renewal application from the DVLA arrived.

I've now worked out what was happening - and as it was my fault I thought I'd explain it so that nobody else makes the same mistake.

I was assuming that the renewal date would be my birthday (July) - but when I first applied for an over 70 licence the DVLA took 3 months to process it - so my renewal date is now September. (Note to self - try and remember for next time).

Passport application forms sent off on Saturday too - but the system isn't yet showing that they've received our returned ones.

Fingers crossed!

I guess you don't have C1 catergory on your licence for vehicles over 3.5 tonne GVW and therefore didn't need a medical.

 

[spikehcm681]

I guess you don't have C1 catergory on your licence for vehicles over 3.5 tonne GVW and therefore didn't need a medical.

That's true - I used to have C & D categories but haven't bothered this time.

The original 3 month delay was due to the time it took for the DVLA medical dept to do this.

But I posted this to encourage anyone who doesn't need these categories and can renew online.

 

[nicholsong]

That's true - I used to have C & D categories but haven't bothered this time.

The original 3 month delay was due to the time it took for the DVLA medical dept to do this.

But I posted this to encourage anyone who doesn't need these categories and can renew online.

It is interesting to note the difference in approach to medicals for renewal between the DVLA and the CAA for pilots' licence renewals.

DVLA just ask a doctor to report on findings , often relying on replies to questions from the candidate. DVLA reserve the right o assess the findings and decide a Pass/Fail.

CAA authorise doctors to undertake the medicals to the standards that CAA provide to the doctors(different for Private and Commercial licences). If the doctor decides you meet the standards he signs your medical certificate, which is put in the licence folder and the CAA have no involvement, unless it is a marginal case for referral.

I appreciate that there are probably more drivers than pilots requiring medicals, but the frequency for pilots, at 12-months, is higher than for drivers, therefore I cannot tell how many more doctors would need to be approved if the DVLA adopted the CAA model.

All I can say is that the CAA system works well and that a pilot is immediately allowed to fly when the doctor signs, Imagine the chaos if pilots had to wait 3 months before they could fly again.