Go to sleep, my brother, I'm all right to drive

[venta]

Public service announcement: if you have a photocard driving licence, check the expiry date on it. It's "4b" on the front ("4a" is date of issue).

A colleague of mine recently tried to hire a car, and was surprised to find his photocard had expired 5 years ago. I checked mine, and despite it having only been issued in January of this year, it runs out in March 2012. We think this is because I didn't supply a new photo when I changed my address with the DVLA, and a photo is only good for ten years. March 2002 sounds a probable date for my first photocard application.

We're not sure whether or not the DVLA will write and tell you when it expires. Presumably they do... so long as they have the correct address for you :)

Comments

Re: so long as they have the correct address

[venta.livejournal.com]

I'd expect you to know more about this than I do, but I don't think it works like that :)

I think your VED reminder goes to the address on the car's V5 (ie registered keeper's address, and nothing to do with the address on anyone's driving licence). In addition, I think you can go to a PO and buy a tax disc without the reminder, and I don't think you have to give your address.

I don't remember ever putting my address on anything relating to an MOT.

Now I buy my tax discs online, I could believe they check the details. However, I suspect that historically it was perfectly possible to use different addresses for insurance, V5 and licence.

Plus, if you leave everything registered at an old address the cross checking wouldn't pick it up anyway :)

Re: so long as they have the correct address

[cardinalsin.livejournal.com]

You know, I was getting myself confused between your drivers license and your vehicle-related stuff, I think. It wasn't that late when I made the comment... must be getting old.