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Photo Card Licences The photo on the licence is only valid for 10 years therefore all UK photocard driving licences need to be updated every 10 years. Drivers will not need to retake a driving test but will of course need to submit a new photo of how they currently look. The licence expiry date can be found in the section marked 4b on the front of the photocard. IF YOU DO NOT UPDATE YOUR LICENCE BY THE DATE SPECIFIED YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW AND COULD BE FINED £1000. This started to happen in July 2008, and the DVLA started to issue reminders in May 2008. The expiry date on the paper part of the licence however will be the holders 70th Birthday.
Change of name and/or address If you change your name, address or both you must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) immediately. You can update your driving licence online or send it to the DVLA to be amended. A new licence will be issued free of charge unless your photograph’s due for renewal. Failure to notify the DVLA of any changes to your name and/or address is a criminal offence and you could be fined up to £1000.
Medical Conditions Certain medical conditions may affect your driving and you must notify the DVLA if you suffer from some conditions. You will be required to complete a medical questionnaire which enables you to provide the DVLA with specific details about your medical condition or disability. The questionnaire also asks you to give consent for a DVLA medical adviser to request medical information from your doctor. DVLA aim to make a decision from the information you provide. Having given consent and if further information is required, the medical adviser may: • contact your own doctor or consultant • arrange for you to be examined by a locally appointed medical officer or local consultant or specialist • ask you to undergo a driving assessment, eyesight or driving test Failure to notify the DVLA of any medical condition which may affect your driving is a criminal offence and you could be fined up to £1000.
Surrendering your licence on medical grounds If you have developed a medical condition that makes driving unsafe you may be told to stop driving immediately. You should surrender your driving licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your doctor will advise you when you are well enough to start driving again. Failure to surrender your licence when told to do so may result in the DVLA revoking your licence.
When you reach 70 Your driving licence entitlement will expire when you reach the age of 70 and if you want to continue to drive, the entitlement will need to be renewed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your renewed licence will normally be valid for three years. Three months before your 70th Birthday you will be sent an ‘application for renewal of a driving licence'. Once the DVLA has received your valid application you are allowed to drive before you receive your new licence as long as you: • have held a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence • aren't disqualified from driving • haven't been refused a licence for medical reasons or for failing to comply with medical enquiries • wouldn't be refused a licence for medical reasons (if in doubt, check with your doctor) • keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence
If your licence is destroyed, lost, stolen or defaced. You must replace your driving licence if it has been lost, stolen, defaced or destroyed. This can done over the telephone, online or by post. You can drive before you receive your licence as long as you: • have held a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence • aren't disqualified from driving • haven't been refused a licence for medical reasons or for failing to comply with medical enquiries • wouldn't be refused a licence for medical reasons - if in doubt, check with your doctor • keep to any special conditions that apply to your licence
Driving without a valid licence Driving without a valid licence is a criminal offence and if caught you will find yourself with a fine of up to £1000 and between 3 and 6 penalty points.
Driving while disqualified Driving whilst disqualified is an arrestable offence and prison sentence is a possibility. At the very least you should expect a further ban as well as a fine.
FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE LEGISLATION AND LAWS ON DRIVING LICENSING VISIT THE DVLA WEBSITE
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