The DVLA has issued an important reminder to people who are aged 70 or over – and there are certain circumstances where drivers are required to renew their driving licences
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued a crucial reminder to those aged 70 or above. There are specific situations where drivers must renew their driving licences.
In the UK, a photocard licence must be renewed every ten years, but for those aged 70 or over, the rules differ. You should renew your driving licence online with the DVLA. This service is free if you’re 70 or over, or will turn 70 in the next 90 days. Once you hit 70, the licence must also be renewed every three years.
On X, the licensing agency declared: “If you’re 70 or over, you need to renew your driving licence every three years. Do it online – you’ll get your new licence within a week.”
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While there’s no legal age limit for driving, renewal ensures that drivers remain competent and safe on the roads. You can also update the photo on your licence when you renew it, reports the Liverpool Echo.
You can carry out this process on Gov.uk. If you haven’t used the service before, you’ll need to register with an email address, provide addresses of where you’ve lived for the past three years, your National Insurance number and a valid UK passport number. After applying, the DVLA will send you a confirmation.
You can continue to drive while your licence is being renewed, provided you meet all the necessary conditions:
- you have the support of your doctor to continue driving
- you had a valid licence
- you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
- your application is less than a year old
- your last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
- you’re not currently disqualified
- you weren’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after June 1 2013
Once you’ve applied, the DVLA will send you a confirmation email. You may be invited to participate in research via email, but you have the option to decline.
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Driving with an expired licence is tantamount to operating a vehicle without valid insurance, and the repercussions can be severe, including hefty fines and potential vehicle seizure by the police.
There have been calls for more rigorous checks on elderly drivers to ensure they can safely navigate the roads. According to The Times, ministers are mulling over reducing the drink-drive limit in England and Wales and implementing mandatory eye tests for older drivers.
AA president, Edmund King, stated: “The time has come for a bold and proactive approach to road safety. Vision checks for older drivers and targeting drink and drug drivers are “practical steps that can make a real difference.”
The UK is one of only three European countries that rely on drivers self-reporting eyesight issues that could affect their driving. This has led ministers to contemplate compulsory eye tests every three years for drivers aged over 70, with a driving ban for those who fail.