Asger Risom
Turning 70 does not mean handing in your car keys, but it does change the rules.
Turning 70 does not mean handing in your car keys, but it does change the rules. Many older motorists are unaware that missing a single administrative step can make driving illegal, even without any change to their health or ability.
Renewal required
Drivers aged 70 and over must renew their driving licence every three years rather than every decade. The Daily Express reports that the DVLA usually issues a reminder shortly before a motorist’s 70th birthday and again each time the licence is due to expire.
There is no requirement to retake a driving test at 70. However, a licence cannot be reissued unless the driver completes a health declaration, and new medical conditions may lead to further assessment.
According to the Express, driving on an expired photocard licence is against the law and can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
How to apply
Most drivers can renew their licence online using the DVLA’s digital service. The Express says applications are typically processed within around seven days and can be submitted up to 90 days before a driver turns 70.
Some motorists receive a D46P renewal form by post, which can be completed at home and returned to the DVLA. For those without this form, government guidance advises using a D1 application, available from most Post Offices.
Official advice states: “Use the D1 application for a driving licence form if you haven’t got the D46P form. You can pick one up at most Post Offices. Your driving licence should arrive in three weeks.
“It might take longer if your medical or personal details need to be checked.”
Driving while waiting
Government rules allow drivers aged 70 and above to continue driving while a renewal is processed, but only under specific conditions.
Motorists must not be disqualified, must have medical approval to drive, and must continue to follow the conditions of their previous licence. The application must also be less than a year old, and the prior licence must not have been refused or revoked on medical grounds.
No renewal fee
To renew a licence, applicants typically need an email address, address history for the past three years, and in some cases a National Insurance number. A valid UK passport is needed if the licence photo is being updated.
Age UK stresses that licence renewal after 70 is free of charge. It warns: “Make sure you go through the official DVLA website if you’re renewing online, as some unofficial websites will try to charge you to renew your licence.”
Sources: DVLA, UK.gov
