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Driving whilst waiting for renewal

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DFR99

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Type 1
I recently moved house and when I contacted DVLA online to tell them my new address, they said that as my medical renewal was due in 3 months they would do this at the same time. They sent out a new license with the new address within a couple of days and I, foolishly, assumed the renewal would arrive in due course. I've realised this morning that the renewal has not come through, nor have I had any reminder to say that my license is expiring and now my license has actually expired. I've just been online and completed the renewal forms again and when I submitted the application it said I can continue driving as long as there are no changes in my condition to suggest otherwise (which there aren't).

My question though is, can I continue driving now I've submitted the renewal, even though my other license has expired, or do I need to wait for the new license?
 
Yes you can carry on driving. Look up rule 88 and as the DVLA have told you so via your application on line.
 
Thanks Pumper_Sue. I'll look up rule 88. I was worried because it only said it on the 'application submitted' screen and doesn't mention it in the acknowledgement email or anything. I wasn't sure if this was just a standard message that everyone gets when they submit.
 
DFR99 said:
Thanks Pumper_Sue. I'll look up rule 88. I was worried because it only said it on the 'application submitted' screen and doesn't mention it in the acknowledgement email or anything. I wasn't sure if this was just a standard message that everyone gets when they submit.
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As far as I understand it, under section 88 you should ask your Dr to confirm that they are still happy for you to be driving.

If they give the OK, then yes, you are fine.
 
I asked my GP to confirm I was OK to drive which he did in writing (email). I carried that with my licence, plus a copy of the DVLA's acknowledgement they had received my application. My new licence eventually arrived after I had the DVLA required eye test.
 
After a bit of back and forth with my GP surgery they said I needed to have an appointment with my GP before they could issue a letter (because I am a new patient) but they couldn't see me until the end of Feb! Thankfully the new license has turned up in the post today so I am good for another 3 years.

Thanks everyone that took the time to reply.
 
DFR99 said:
After a bit of back and forth with my GP surgery they said I needed to have an appointment with my GP before they could issue a letter (because I am a new patient) but they couldn't see me until the end of Feb! Thankfully the new license has turned up in the post today so I am good for another 3 years.

Thanks everyone that took the time to reply.
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Ah that’s great news 🙂
 
Meanwhile doctors at all levels tell their patients that they do not wish to see them unless they think themselves that they have some problem. I'll just tell my employer I can't come to work again until the end of February then shall I? Quite frankly, the DVLA Medical bit is not fit for purpose. Covid's exacerbated that of course, but it's been B awful for a long time before that.
 
I have a 3-year restricted licence. It expired on 22nd March 2022. I did the renewal online some 6 weeks ago but I am still waiting for my licence.
 
Mikerp said:
I have a 3-year restricted licence. It expired on 22nd March 2022. I did the renewal online some 6 weeks ago but I am still waiting for my licence.
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As others have said, you can continue driving on "Section 88" provided you have written agreement from your doctor that you are safe to drive.
There seem to be some serious issues with delayed driving licenses from DVLA and I know a few people who have involved their MP. That said, they have been waiting months since their license expired rather than a week.
At least one person I know has quoted the disability discrimination act - her non-diabetic son passed his driving test and got his license less than a week later whereas she is waiting months after applying.

@everydayupsanddowns is this something Diabetes UK should/can take up on behalf of the many diabetics who are waiting for their license renewals?
(I ask for other as I was one of the lucky ones who got a fast renewal.)
 
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Mikerp said:
I have a 3-year restricted licence. It expired on 22nd March 2022. I did the renewal online some 6 weeks ago but I am still waiting for my licence.
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I waited 3 months after applying to renew, before I was sent for an eyesight test. Then I waited several more weeks before the licence came through. I drove with a copy of the email from my GP plus a copy of proof that they had received my application. You should be able to print a screenshot of your current status from their website.
 
My Licence ran out on the 19th of December. Renewal was sent in on the 16th of October and I am still waiting for my licence to come back.
On the 11th of March I emailed the CEO of the DVLA asking for a simple explanation as to why it is taking so long for licences to be issued. I also pointed out mine had been uploaded to the system last November and to this date nothing what so ever has been done regarding issuing another one.
I'm still waiting for a reply :(
 
@Pumper_Sue - now email your MP and ask him/her to intervene on your behalf, people elsewhere (our motorhome forum, shedloads of whom have medical licences for all sorts of reasons) have generally had very successful outcomes with doing this.
 
on the same subject driving licence renewals
I am now on the 3 year medical restriction for diabetic,
and will soon need to renew my first 3 year licence,

do I wait for them to contact me by letter,
or should I be appl online,
im currently within the last 90 days before it’s expiry,
I would be grateful if anyone whoknowscan confirm please ?
 
You can apply before receiving the letter but there is a maximum number of days prior to expiry when you can do so.
My renewal letter arrived before that time so it was not an issue for me.
 
helli said:
@everydayupsanddowns is this something Diabetes UK should/can take up on behalf of the many diabetics who are waiting for their license renewals?
(I ask for other as I was one of the lucky ones who got a fast renewal.)
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Very much so @helli

Diabetes UK have been in frequent contact with the DVLA about the situation with delays during the pandemic, and recognise how serious a situation it is, and how many people living with diabetes have been negatively affected.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Very much so @helli

Diabetes UK have been in frequent contact with the DVLA about the situation with delays during the pandemic, and recognise how serious a situation it is, and how many people living with diabetes have been negatively affected.
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What is the DVLA's response? I have been waiting for 4 months now since the medical where the GP said there was no reason I cant drive. I have had no luck getting hold of the DVLA, tried calling over 500 times and web chat and email. MP has also had no luck. I'm now needing to get a new car soon because my PCP plan is running out and I cant do that without a in date photo card licence. I have seen stories online of it taking up to 18 months?!?!
 
S Harris said:
What is the DVLA's response? I have been waiting for 4 months now since the medical where the GP said there was no reason I cant drive. I have had no luck getting hold of the DVLA, tried calling over 500 times and web chat and email. MP has also had no luck. I'm now needing to get a new car soon because my PCP plan is running out and I cant do that without a in date photo card licence. I have seen stories online of it taking up to 18 months?!?!
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I will cheer you up and say I've been waiting 7mths I've sent an official complaint with no reply from that either.
 
I resorted to writing to DVLA, outlining the whole history and my attempts at contact. If you have copies of any paperwork, such as your contact with your MP, I suggest you enclose them. I sent my paperwork Registered Post, where they had to physically sign for it at the DVLA, so they could not claim they never received it. I went online and got a copy of the proof of signature. I got my licence within a month - 4 months from start to finish. Good luck
 
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