Questions about Renewing Driving License at 70

[Larby]

If you require C1 then D2 and D4.
You can apply for a Licence online to stay legal in car. Then arrange to do C1 requirements and re-apply and have C1 added.

....Oops....

 

[denisejoe]

When I phoned about my license I was told as it’s gone to medical it’s still valid for up to a year whilst they decide.

 

[denisejoe]

Double post

 

[DK1083]

Further to my original post just thought I would report that I made my application for my “over 70” licence on Wednesday, 13th March and received the new one today, Saturday, 16th. Can’t fault that for service!
Checking against my old licence all I’ve lost is the C and D groups which I don’t need.

 

[Monsoon]

Even if you "lose" your C1 when renewing online you can reclaim it later if you change your mind. Yes, you need a medical check but apart form that the process is straightforward and we didn't have to wait too long to get the C1 license back from DVLA.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[frenchie46]

While it won't hurt to photocopy your old licence before applying for the new one, it is essential to keep the old one until you receive the new one. The Guardian's Consumer Champion column last Saturday ran a story about a woman turning 70 who had her new licence sent to her with her car entitlement (B category) removed and instead replaced with a an E category (moped). She'd never ridden a moped in her life. When her son complained on her behalf, sending in a scan of the old licence, the DVLA said they could not accept it, as the E might have been photoshopped into a B. They said a scan was not sufficient evidence to amend its records.

 

[nicholsong]

While it won't hurt to photocopy your old licence before applying for the new one, it is essential to keep the old one until you receive the new one. The Guardian's Consumer Champion column last Saturday ran a story about a woman turning 70 who had her new licence sent to her with her car entitlement (B category) removed and instead replaced with a an E category (moped). She'd never ridden a moped in her life. When her son complained on her behalf, sending in a scan of the old licence, the DVLA said they could not accept it, as the E might have been photoshopped into a B. They said a scan was not sufficient evidence to amend its records.

I would have been inclined to ask whether photoshopping accounted for the substitution of 'E' for 'B' by them?

 

[Tony50]

It's ridiculous having to to stick to 3500kgs on car licences, the safety technology put into Motorhomes in past years , if you have 2 Axle Rigid truck licence from when they were 16 tonne gvw ,you can still drive the trucks that went to 17 tonne and then 18 tonnes on same 16 tonne licence.

 

[Tarn2]

An interesting post.
I’ve just renewed my licence for the second time after reaching 70 and retained the C1 entitlement this time, so can still drive over 3500kgs, tow things and drive minibuses etc. I didn’t think to check the new licence when I got it back and this post prompted me to do so, but happily all still there!
It was interesting googling what the codes meant as well, learning that I can only drive minibuses (NFHR), which I presumably is Not for Hire or Reward - never thought to look that up before, not that I drive minibuses any more. (drove them for years as part of my job before I retired).
Anybody know what ‘p and q’ categories are and what the difference is between ‘electrically propelled vehicles’ and electric cars - not that I would ever buy one of either anyway!

 

[Phill D]

An interesting post.
I’ve just renewed my licence for the second time after reaching 70 and retained the C1 entitlement this time, so can still drive over 3500kgs, tow things and drive minibuses etc. I didn’t think to check the new licence when I got it back and this post prompted me to do so, but happily all still there!
It was interesting googling what the codes meant as well, learning that I can only drive minibuses (NFHR), which I presumably is Not for Hire or Reward - never thought to look that up before, not that I drive minibuses any more. (drove them for years as part of my job before I retired).
Anybody know what ‘p and q’ categories are and what the difference is between ‘electrically propelled vehicles’ and electric cars - not that I would ever buy one of either anyway!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TonyEmm]

Just sent off my age 70 driving licence renewal and I’m having a couple wobbles!
1) I don’t need my C1 so didn’t request it.
2) I have a motorcycle but it didn’t ask about that so hoping that will be renewed.
3) It said that C1 would be required for 3.5 to 7.5kgs. It didn’t say over 3.5kgs and my motorhome, (Autotrail Tracker EKS), is 3.5kgs so hoping I’ll still be covered for that.
Have I got it all wrong?

No worries if you don’t need C1. A cat B licence (passed before 1/1/97) allows you to drive up to 3,500kgs MGW + a trailer up to a combined weight not exceeding 8250kgs. https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories
Motorcycle licence is unaffected, I didn’t pass mine until I was 72!

 

[frenchie46]

I would have been inclined to ask whether photoshopping accounted for the substitution of 'E' for 'B' by them?

I think the point here is that DVLA will not necessarily (and utterly refused in this instance) to accept a photocopy as evidence that they have made a mistake (and they do make lots of mistakes). So do hang on to your old licence until you have received the new one.

 

[denisejoe]

No worries if you don’t need C1. A cat B licence (passed before 1/1/97) allows you to drive up to 3,500kgs MGW + a trailer up to a combined weight not exceeding 8250kgs. https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories
Motorcycle licence is unaffected, I didn’t pass mine until I was 72!

Can’t see how you can tow a trailer up 4750kg as I was under the impression that you couldn’t tow a trailer heavier the the towing vehicle

 

[nicholsong]

I think the point here is that DVLA will not necessarily (and utterly refused in this instance) to accept a photocopy as evidence that they have made a mistake (and they do make lots of mistakes). So do hang on to your old licence until you have received the new one.

I was just suggesting it as a 'reductio ad absurdum' way to counter their refusal to correct their error.

The other way would be to ask them to contact DVSA to establish which test you have passed.

 

[Phill D]

Can’t see how you can tow a trailer up 4750kg as I was under the impression that you couldn’t tow a trailer heavier the the towing vehicle

You can only tow a trailer that is within the listed restrictions on the tow vehicle.
This can be more or less than the tow vehicle weight itself.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[denisejoe]

Sorry I tried to delete the post after I got my brain in gear

 

[Tarn2]

View attachment 876339

Thank you

 

[Platelet]

And if you purchase a HGV/PCV of any weight ie articulated with trailer prior to 1960, all you need is a cat B car licence. Also a plus it will be ULEZ compliant!

 

[Jacasino]

My recent experience with a C1 may be useful:

My Birthday is in early February. I got a medical in December 2023 from D4Drivers which took 15 minutes at the local Holiday Inn Hotel in Ipswich. I’d already prepared a folder with my Optician’s prescription, list of drugs, and 3 recent blood pressure readings as I was on drugs that affected pressure.

I sent it off with the D2 just before Christmas. Then because I was Type 2 Diabetic on a certain drug that could create low blood sugar (though I’ve never had one) I had to fill in an additional form saying that I would take my blood sugar level before driving, and carry glucose tablets. There were a few other tick boxes as well, such as GP name and address.

The licence was issued on the 14th March 2024 valid for 3 years.

A handy hint is that if you trawl the Internet you can get a discount code for D4Drivers.

I found the whole process quite long (not helped by Christmas and New Year), but successful in the end. A friend of mine whose Birthday is very close just sailed through with the same process, and no extra forms required . Obviously not on as many drugs as me!!

Cheers

Thanks for the information, my birthday is at the end of June and I am Type 2 taking Metformin, have requested a D2 & a D1 form, not received them yet but only ordered a week ago.
D4D advised me that a medical in May would be fine but I was planning for April anyway, it sounds as though you got everything in nice and early but you still didn’t get your licence until a couple of weeks after your Birthday, we are planning to head off to France the day after my Birthday, we might need to have a rethink.

 

[denisejoe]

Most large post offices have them in one envelope ready packed

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[philann]

You can only tow a trailer that is within the listed restrictions on the tow vehicle.
This can be more or less than the tow vehicle weight itself.

Depends on when you passed your test

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997​

You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats.

You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM.

 

[Red Sonja]

Kevin has just renewed his C1. From sending the forms in and receiving licence back was under 2 weeks. The only problem we have had is that Instead of it running until the old licence run out he has lost al 5 weeks. This also happened the first time he renewed. Others I know even someone applying in the same day as him have had the license issued until their birthday.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Thanks for the information, my birthday is at the end of June and I am Type 2 taking Metformin, have requested a D2 & a D1 form, not received them yet but only ordered a week ago.
D4D advised me that a medical in May would be fine but I was planning for April anyway, it sounds as though you got everything in nice and early but you still didn’t get your licence until a couple of weeks after your Birthday, we are planning to head off to France the day after my Birthday, we might need to have a rethink.

If your van is under 3.5t you can ask for a temporary ordinary licence to be forwarded .otherwise you need your c1. licence. Best to advise them of your plans if you need a c1.

 

[Captain Birdseye]

Even if you "lose" your C1 when renewing online you can reclaim it later if you change your mind. Yes, you need a medical check but apart form that the process is straightforward and we didn't have to wait too long to get the C1 license back from DVLA.

I believe that in addition to the medical you would need training and take a test, which is why we don't renew on line at age 70. We get the medical and eye test and apply with a paper application to keep c1 and D1. That is what DVLA told me anyway.

 

[Phill D]

Depends on when you passed your test

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997​

You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats.

You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM.

I was responding to a post which questioned pre 1997 test, and a statement that “ you can’t tow a trailer that is heavier than the towing vehicle “ which is not the case.
You can tow what is allowed by the manufacturer weight plate.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Dickie0121]

Sent my licence off with my D4 medical on 04/02/2024 and received it back within 5:weeks and that's with DVLA contacting my doctor!

 

[Pausim]

Kevin has just renewed his C1. From sending the forms in and receiving licence back was under 2 weeks. The only problem we have had is that Instead of it running until the old licence run out he has lost al 5 weeks. This also happened the first time he renewed. Others I know even someone applying in the same day as him have had the license issued until their birthday.

I am not 100% sure but I think it may depend on whether you supply a new photo. I have kept my birthday renewal twice and both times I got the application in without a new photo with more than 56 days left on the old licence.

 

[peterc10]

Thanks for the information, my birthday is at the end of June and I am Type 2 taking Metformin, have requested a D2 & a D1 form, not received them yet but only ordered a week ago.
D4D advised me that a medical in May would be fine but I was planning for April anyway, it sounds as though you got everything in nice and early but you still didn’t get your licence until a couple of weeks after your Birthday, we are planning to head off to France the day after my Birthday, we might need to have a rethink.

You need a D2 and D4, not D1, if you want your to keep your C1 category

I believe that in addition to the medical you would need training and take a test, which is why we don't renew on line at age 70. We get the medical and eye test and apply with a paper application to keep c1 and D1. That is what DVLA told me anyway.

As usual with the DVLA that is not correct. If you passed your UK driving test before 1997 you automatically have a C1 licence and the only thing you need to keep it after you are 70 is to pass a medical which is set out on form D4 and fill in form D2. You then have to repeat that every 3 years.

 

[Lenny HB]

I am not 100% sure but I think it may depend on whether you supply a new photo. I have kept my birthday renewal twice and both times I got the application in without a new photo with more than 56 days left on the old licence.

Never found it makes any difference, last time my wife had to send a photo as under the 56 day but I didn't both renewed from date of old licence. Time before I sent a photo she didn't same result.

 

[Pausim]

Never found it makes any difference, last time my wife had to send a photo as under the 56 day but I didn't both renewed from date of old licence. Time before I sent a photo she didn't same result.

Perhaps the 56 days is important.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}