Driving after sending application for renewal of expired licence

[DottorCasa]

Hi everyone,

As a long-time type 1 diabetic I've become used to needing to renew my driving licence every three years. This latest time, I left it to the last week to complete my application as I'd been told it could be done very quickly online. Unfortunately, after jumping through a few online verification hoops, I learned that this could only be done online if you have a British passport. I sent off my application by post, and continued to drive after the expiry date on the understanding that I would be allowed to do so while my renewal was being processed. This is what it said on the forms after all.

Unfortunately, in this period I was filmed doing 36 mph on a 30 mph road. I was expecting points on my licence and a fine, but instead I today received a letter from the police stating that due to the fact my licence had expired this is not an option and that the matter 'will be dealt with by the magistrate's court'.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? And if so, how would you recommend I proceed?

Stefano

 

[Bronco Billy]

Hi Stefano. That’s somewhat unfortunate. Hopefully, the page below will give you the information you need. It may be that the police computer only showed your licence had expired and not that it was being renewed. Fingers crossed it works out for you.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla

 

[mikeyB]

I once was slightly late applying, but when I phoned the DVLA they said not to worry, I was still entitled to drive , so I could continue driving. You shouldn't have any problem. When you get to court, just explain that there was a delay in the DVLA sending a new licence. I can't imagine any magistrate finding you guilty of driving without a licence. I used to be a magistrate. There is a techinical offence of driving without a licence when there is entilement to drive, but if they don't charge you with that you can't be found guilty of it.

You will still get three points and a fine, so you'll have to plead guilty to that. A guilty plea at the first opportunity usually reduces a fine, but magistrates tend to just apply the standard fine for low grade speeding.

 

[DottorCasa]

That's good to hear. Unfortunately, I got a different reply from the DVLA when I contacted them today. I initially included a passport photo with my renewal application, and they'd returned the application saying the photo wasn't required. I immediately resent it without the photo. Today I was told by the DVLA that the photo made the initial application 'invalid', and because they had not yet processed my second application I'm not allowed to drive until they do. Meaning that a one hour commute to work has suddenly become three hours of buses and trains. Ah well. Hopefully I'll just end up with the standard fine and speeding tickets.

 

[C&E Guy]

You should get a letter from DVLA saying that they are processing your renewal and that, in the meantime, you can continues to drive as long as a medical professional has not told you that you can't drive.

My recent one took 3 months to renew. I was ok in that time - but if I'd wanted to hire a car for example, I'd have been snookered. I had the letter and kept it in the car.

 

[Drummer]

Do keep all the paperwork where you can find it, and can present it if or when required.
Why on earth sending a photo should invalidate the original request is beyond me - but having the paperwork will show that you were not intentionally driving without a licence, which will hopefully resolve things.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear you’ve had such a runaround. Hopefully it will all be resolved smoothly and your licence will be renewed promptly.

I suspect over the coming years we are all going to have to get used to doing everything in plenty of time in case of unexpected hold ups.

 

[mikeyB]

The hold ups are entirely due to staff reductions imposed by this government, so a change of government might help. All public services are hampered by staff loss - police, NHS, DWP, law courts. Every public service. Cash strapped councils closing libraries, or, one close to my heart (or bowel), public toilets. So that rich people can get tax cuts.