I saw a news item saying drivers have to renew their driving licence on line now. As I am approaching the national speed limit soon (70), despite mine having years to run I have to renew it many years before it expires. BUT, the DVLA in their wisdom have appointed a jobsworth to set the rules….I started the application process early because it said could take months to get a replacement licence,

but quess what, I have to have a valid passport to renew my driving licence! I don’t have one and have no intentions of travelling to need one. SO, I phoned the DVLA, waited the obligatory 20mins on line, and told them my problem and what is the alternative to not having a passport? Well, there is not one, I was told! So how do I renew my driving licence I said, ‘get a passport’ I was told by now a rather annoyed operator (maybe ‘cos I said that is ridiculous). Anyway, I went online to apply for a passport…10weeks to get one unless I pay over £100. Plus despite multiple attempts taking my own digital photo, the ‘computer says no’ kept me busy for hours. Then I had to pay extra for document return, but they do not say what documents they may want until they get the application, doh! It seems I need a letter from ‘a GP’ to say I am safe to drive…What a joke, I haven’t managed to see a ‘real’ doctor in years. Anyway, then it cost me extra £6 to post my long expired 20 year old passport back to them by recorded delivery as they say to do. 

So, now I have paid out way more than I expected and I still can’t apply for my OAP new driving licence, that will ‘only’ cost me another £14, until my new passport arrives. Then I have to do this every three years. Maybe I will have to dump the Ford and take that thing the school kids all cram onto. ..Oh wife says they don’t take cash anymore…need to apply for a pass, wonder if I need  passport to get that? 

Still gonna buy my ‘Victor Meldrew’ hat (I don’t believe it!).

I have this problem every time I have to do anything through the gov't.  I've never had a passport, and will never need a passport.  Yet all of their systems rely on someone having a passport! 🤦‍♂️

https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence

It says you can renew by post or at a Post Office if you don't have a passport.

You only need a passport to renew online.

Never told me that while I was on the phone to them….

Just had a look again, and you are right. I did not see that before as I went straight in to creating an online driver account - that’s when I ran into problems….

 

Edited August 13, 20241 yr by Kenny321
added info

This what caught me out…

 

Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or over

Renew your driving licence online with DVLA for free if you’re 70 or over – or will be 70 in the next 90 days.

This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Renew online….

My ‘ol Dad never had a passport nor a driving licence, but drove all his life….reason, if you drove unsupervised during the war years, you did not need to take a driving test. Dunno what was issued but he never took a test, probably explains why I kept failing as he ‘taught’ me to drive….

 

All well and good if you have a PO that deals with car paperwork nearby... 

Not much use for those who only drive around their village to get groceries and prescriptions.  Exactly the ones for who online services should be more accessible! 🤔

57 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

All well and good if you have a PO that deals with car paperwork nearby... 

Not much use for those who only drive around their village to get groceries and prescriptions.  Exactly the ones for who online services should be more accessible! 🤔

Must be a postbox though, you can apply by post too.

Just now, alexp999 said:

Must be a postbox though, you can apply by post too.

Yes, but you have to get the form from a Post Office.

Or stamps if it's downloadable (assuming they have access to a printer).  Although you can buy one book of stamps online, the postage adds 50% to the overall cost.

Online services should cut out all the hassle and cost associated with this type of thing.  But they don't.

I'm really lucky in having a local PO who do all sorts of 'old fashioned' applications over the counter, and yes, they do also accept old fashioned cash. My 86 year old mum stopped driving 3 years ago, but I did get her very last driving license online, where I did take a digital photo for the purpose. I must have taken in excess of 20 photos before I eventually got one that the computer accepted! (I'm actually quite good at photos, even being an active member of my school camera club developing my own B&W photos in a darkroom LOL)

But like the OP, there are many aspects of the 'digital/online' age I detest. Wait till you get to using a bank when you're not online, and don't use a mobile, like my mum! They even had disposed of many 'paper' application procedures before I wrote to the CEO explaining how they were discriminating a whole generation! (They subsequently relented and now accept paper for banking transactions!

31 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Yes, but you have to get the form from a Post Office.

If you don't have a nearby Post Office, you just have to find the nearest one offering the service. The Post Office have a very useful "branch finder" - but it's online of course!😀

Fortunately I do have a passport and (credit where it's due) was impressed with the ease of doing the online renewal and the speed with which I got the new licence. Despite dire warnings from various friends about the medical questions I found the DVLA are not that bothered by my various conditions after all. As long as you can see and not be abnormally likely to pass out/die while at the wheel you should be ok.

I still had a paper licence, so the main problem I have is yet another extra credit card-like object in my wallet  - I keep wondering why my card is not working only to find I've tried to use the bus pass or driving licence!

Of course, in their wisdom, the DVLA kindly assist you in all matters…omit to tell them about something that affects your driving …£1000 fine. Omit to renew your licence at age 70 (even if yours hasn’t expired yet…£1000 fine. you getting the trend here?