licence at 70 (1 Viewer)

[davejen]

I am 70 in December, my current licence lasts until I am 72, do I HAVE to do a medical before my licence expires to retain C1+E Etc, ?
I have read the article by "Honest John" which seems to suggest "at the first renewal after 70".....
Thanks in advance,
Cheers, Dave

 

[Riverbankannie]

I think that everyone's licence has to be renewed at 70 and you will get a notice in the post a couple of months before your birthday.

 

[Stretto Boy]

@Riverbankannie is correct. All driving licences expire at 70:

http://www.olderdrivers.org.uk/the-law/renewing-your-driving-licence/

I wonder if DVLA have recorded your date of birth incorrectly. I would check with them if I were you because, if you don't hold a valid driving licence, your insurance will be invalid.

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[JFD]

According to the DVLA (bless them!), your U.K. Driving license expires on your 70th birthday. You can renew it online, but if you want to retain C1/D1 classes, you have to have a medical, and fill in a couple of forms that assume you are an HGV driver! It's only 2-300 quid every three years thereafter!!

 

[davejen]

Just looked on licence,
4a-valid from 21-04-2017 (change of address)
4b -valid to-02-11-2019
On reverse
10 valid from 22-03-77
11 valid to 02-11-19 all classes
Think I may ring DVLA tomorrow!!
Cheers, Dave
DOB 19-12-1947

 

[Cavs]

because, if you don't hold a valid driving licence, your insurance will be invalid.

This part is not correct. Every insurance certificate I have ever seen says something to the effect of 'providing the person holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held and is not disqualified from holding or obtaining such a licence'.

As a separate, general rule, insurance cannot be invalidated by a breach of contract between the insured and the insurer. You (the insured) might not get your comprehensive cover, but your third party cover, the legal requirement, will stay in place.

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[Stretto Boy]

This part is not correct. Every insurance certificate I have ever seen says something to the effect of 'providing the person holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held and is not disqualified from holding or obtaining such a licence'.

As a separate, general rule, insurance cannot be invalidated by a breach of contract between the insured and the insurer. You (the insured) might not get your comprehensive cover, but your third party cover, the legal requirement, will stay in place.

I disagree with your first part. The law provides that a driving licence expires at 70 and this cannot be overridden by a mistake in the licence itself. The licence holder should know when his 70th birthday is and that his licence will expire on that date.

Your second part is entirely correct so far as the basic "Act Only" third party cover is concerned, as (even though the insurance policy is technically invalid) the law steps in to change the contractual position. This will be of little consolation if the motorhome is stolen or written off/ seriously damaged in circumstances where recovery cannot be made from a third party. Also, if a driver without a licence is involved in an accident it is going to be very difficult - and eye-wateringly expensive - to get insurance for a few years thereafter.

 

[Cavs]

The law provides that a driving licence expires at 70 and this cannot be overridden by a mistake in the licence itself. The licence holder should know when his 70th birthday is and that his licence will expire on that date.

I quite agree that the licence will expire. My point is that an expired licence does not invalidate insurance because a person is insured if he or she 'holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held and is not disqualified from holding or obtaining such a licence'.

I agree with your other points about the practicalities and advisability of pushing things that far, though!

 

[Stretto Boy]

I quite agree that the licence will expire. My point is that an expired licence does not invalidate insurance because a person is insured if he or she 'holds a licence to drive the vehicle or has held and is not disqualified from holding or obtaining such a licence'.

I agree with your other points about the practicalities and advisability of pushing things that far, though!

I think we both agree that "Act only" cover is all that is available if driving with an expired licence. I'd certainly want comprehensive insurance if I was lucky enough, for example, to own a fantastic Frankia i840! I do wonder how far the "has held" a licence goes. Many of my age (62) used to ride a motorcycle for years - usually until they bought a car - on a provisional licence and never took their test. What if, as a "born again" rider, they come back to it (as I did) after a 40 year gap. Would they still have Act only cover because they "have held" a licence and are not disqualified? It seems bizarre to me but on the basis of the policy wording you have quoted it seems they would! This is a genuine question because I don't know the answer.

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[Cavs]

This is a genuine question because I don't know the answer.

It's a good question, too. In my experience (police traffic and prosecutions), insurance companies will stand by whatever is on the certificate, so I believe they will accept your scenario and consider themselves on cover (provided you complied with the provisional conditions). They might go after you for obtaining the insurance without full disclosure, however.

I once dealt with a case where a car was stolen so we charged the offender with taking it and driving it without insurance, as normal. However, the loser's insurance certificate said that it covered any driver, and the insurance company considered itself on cover so we had to abandon the 'no insurance' charge. I think that wording on certificates no longer exists!

 

[davejen]

Well, I tried to "talk" to DVLA today, but after half an hour gave up. Never did speak to a human, just a series of options which generally took me back to the beginning of my call....
Did apply for the D2-D4 forms. So I will send them off as if my licence expires on my 70th birthday.
Cheers, Dave

 

[Riverbankannie]

Well, I tried to "talk" to DVLA today, but after half an hour gave up. Never did speak to a human, just a series of options which generally took me back to the beginning of my call....
Did apply for the D2-D4 forms. So I will send them off as if my licence expires on my 70th birthday.
Cheers, Dave

You will need to have a medical, some of the specialists are cheaper than your own GP and are geared up for completing the D4.

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[Stretto Boy]

It's a good question, too. In my experience (police traffic and prosecutions), insurance companies will stand by whatever is on the certificate, so I believe they will accept your scenario and consider themselves on cover (provided you complied with the provisional conditions). They might go after you for obtaining the insurance without full disclosure, however.

I once dealt with a case where a car was stolen so we charged the offender with taking it and driving it without insurance, as normal. However, the loser's insurance certificate said that it covered any driver, and the insurance company considered itself on cover so we had to abandon the 'no insurance' charge. I think that wording on certificates no longer exists!

That's all very interesting, thank you. I think your comment about non-disclosure may be the essence of it. It may be that the insurers will stand by the "Act only" cover, which of course is there to benefit innocent third parties, but will not offer additional cover and may seek to recover what they have paid out from the insured for material non-disclosure. So going back to my original point about expired driving licences, it may be very unwise indeed to drive without a valid driving licence. The insurers may pay out to third parties but, if they then claim it all back from the driver, the effect will be as if your insurance was invalid.

 

[Ivory55]

Doc on wheels for hgv medical. A lot cheaper then your gp

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Question is if theDVLA make it difficult to get the licence renewed with the medical, by procratinating about the actual state of the persons health. Do they still kick up if it is a renewal with a medical held before the 70th birthday. Then it would be a straight forwards renewal ?????? I need to go to a plastic licence and could send in a medical with it although not required would they accept it or send it back??? As it isn't required until 70.

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[John & Joan]

My last renewal took 11 months. My new licence was dated from the processing date so now expires one month before my 77th birthday not on my 76th birthday. I confirmed this was correct with DVLA in writing. While your licence is being process you can legally drive on your expired licence for up to 12 months.