driving license renewal

[carls200tdi]

Hi i hope somebody can shed some light for me i have heard recently that when you renew the photo driving license you lose some of the catergories for entitlment to tow.Does anyone know if this is the case as i have 1.5 years left to run on mine and i have a range rover classic and a caravan with a mtplm 1200kg will i still be able to use this combination thanks

[Skibum346]

I was chatting with a driving examiner today (having just passed my H licence test in a Warrior AFV!)...
 
... and he said that there have been a few instances but a low percentage. He advised that you take a photocopy of your licence (paper section) before you send it off so that you have evidence should the worst happen.

Skibum

[Yoshi]

You wont lose that entitlement.

People who passed their test after 1997 do not have the b + e on their license, however they have the b.
now the b allows you to tow a caravan or a trailer that does not exceed the MAM of the towing the vehicle and as long as the combination does not exceed 3.5t.

But if you did pass before 1997 then you need to keep a copy of your current license so that it shows the entitlements in order for you to get the dvla to rectify it if they do get it wrong.

[carls200tdi]

Thanks for responses as you have said i shouldn't lose entitlements the expiry date on the photo license is for the photo not the actual license finally found the infomation on the dvla website

[muddyjames]

you need to sne doff both parts to DVLA though.

[Oli-L]

Awww...!! CRAP!!! Sent mine off yesterday and just found the paper bit in the kitchen, I forgot to put it in the envelope with the card bit! :doh:

Anybody any ideas wot happens now..?!

[Yoshi]

Yeah, they will just send it back to you as incomplete, and will ask you to send it all in again.

[hairyasswelder]

On a similar note Motorcycle News have an article about losing the catagories for bikes and there are no records of you passing the tests so you have to retake your test 

Definitely photocopy both parts and if you are like me, (never throw stuff away) still got test pass papers, may help your case if things go wrong

Steve

[carls200tdi]

A chap at work today said he had some categories changed on his bike license when he renewed it but didn't say which they were

[Oli-L]

Yeah, they will just send it back to you as incomplete, and will ask you to send it all in again.

Oh thats alright then!! It runs out the end of August does that mean if i haven't got a new one by then i cant drive legally??

Sorry for all the questions i just want to be doubly sure...!!

[Sider]

Me thinks you are confusing renewal with exchange. It has happened in the past that when some unfortunate souls exchanged their old all paper licences for a new photocard style one, some of the entitlements were magically lost in the process.

If you are renewing a photocard, even DVLA can't be inept enough to muck it up. Then again, can't doesn't equal aren't :D

As for Oli's question, as far as I'm aware you are still entitled to drive (remember the infamous 14 day producer), since you would still show up on the driver's database. You better check with a friendly bobby, or if you can't find one, ask LSP :D:D

[hairyasswelder]

Me thinks you are confusing renewal with exchange. It has happened in the past that when some unfortunate souls exchanged their old all paper licences for a new photocard style one, some of the entitlements were magically lost in the process.

If you are renewing a photocard, even DVLA can't be inept enough to muck it up. Then again, can't doesn't equal aren't :D

No confusion, they are really that bad, read MCN article, they are trying to get the system changed so that you get your old license back with the corners cut so that you have proof of previous entitlements..
Mrs has thrown it now so cant use quotes from article.


Steve

[Sharpshooter]

Im filling mine in now. Im not sure if i need to send a fee or not. Since i have passed i have changed address. Thats free, so if i post it off with new photos do you think it will come back to me for a fee??

[Gordo]

Yes, there have been cases where entitlements have been missed off on replacement licences - it happened to a friend's wife (Cat. A went AWoL).

I have heard it said, but can't confirm its accuracy, that because you are not supposed to copy official documents such as driving licences (except in certain circumstances), a photocopy is not considered as evidence of entitlement.

Not sure where that leaves you - other than perhaps "losing" it, ordering a replacement, then finding the lost one...  [-X

[Oli-L]

Im filling mine in now. Im not sure if i need to send a fee or not. Since i have passed i have changed address. Thats free, so if i post it off with new photos do you think it will come back to me for a fee??

Yes mate, if you have a look on the back of the paperwork it says its 20 quid and a different postcode to send it to rather than there usual one.

[Sharpshooter]

Im filling mine in now. Im not sure if i need to send a fee or not. Since i have passed i have changed address. Thats free, so if i post it off with new photos do you think it will come back to me for a fee??

Yes mate, if you have a look on the back of the paperwork it says its 20 quid and a different postcode to send it to rather than there usual one.

Great. Thanks. :)

[andrew2986]

Dont know if it helps, but ive just changed the address on mine on line. But still have my license with the old address with me. If when the new one comes its different I will still have the original.

Andy