How to Renew Your Driving Licence at Age 70 and Above
It’s a sad fact of life that as we get older, we’re more likely to suffer various health and mobility issues. While many people stay fit and able well into their old age, others may notice a deterioration in things like their eyesight, hearing, reaction times and concentration.
For this reason, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requires you to renew your driving licence when you reach 70 years of age and every three years after that. However, with the agency’s online licence renewal service, the process is quick, simple, secure and free of charge.
In this article we’ll look at why it’s best to renew your licence online and how to use the service.
Why Renew Your Licence Online?
Applying to renew your licence at 70 and above by post is a fiddly process that involves filling in paper forms and applying postage at your own cost. Added to that, the DVLA is currently experiencing long delays in processing postal licence renewal applications due to staff shortages caused by the pandemic. That could mean a long wait for your new licence.
When you renew your licence online, you’ll find it much simpler and faster to apply, and you should receive your new licence within a week. And, it won’t cost you a penny because the agency’s ‘Renew at 70’ online service is free of charge. The online service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so you can use it whenever it’s convenient for you.
The DVLA advises you to beware of third-party websites that claim to offer DVLA services, but charge you for the process. These sites are not connected to the agency in any way and the services they charge for are usually cheaper or free on the official government website. So, you should only use GOV.UK for licence renewals as it’s the simplest, fastest and safest way.
How to Renew Your Licence at 70 Online
Ninety days before your licence is due for renewal, the DVLA will send you a reminder. For online renewal you’ll need to be a resident in Great Britain, have your email address, addresses you’ve lived at for the past three years, and your National Insurance number. You must not be disqualified from driving. If you also want to change the photo on your licence, you’ll also need a valid British passport.
When you have the necessary information to hand, just visit the ‘Renew at 70’ web page. When you’ve read the information, click on the ‘Start now’ button. Follow each simple stage of the process entering your details as required. Once you’ve checked the details are correct, click on the ‘Submit now’ button. And that’s it!
Once you’ve submitted your renewal application, the DVLA will send you a confirmation email with a reference number that you can use to follow your application’s progress. You should receive your licence within a few days. If your current licence expires during the application process you might be able to continue driving if you meet the criteria on this leaflet.
With the time you’ve saved by using the online licence renewal service, you could browse the CarReg database to find the perfect personalised number plates for your car.
