paddyo

I am in NSW and as a Temp resident I do not need to have a NSW driving license and can use my UK one. However, it runs out in June this year which is jolly inconvenient as I am here till March 2011.
Has anyone renewed from Oz and if so how did you go about it, there is not much guidance on the DVLA website.
Any pitfalls you noted?
Cheers all!!

billymacker

just get a oz one then renew your uk one when you get back.

Lord_Farquar

There is absolutely no reason to for the OP to get a NSW licence as a temp resident.

paddyo

Exactly, as a Temp resident in NSW I neither need a NSW driving license or want one. If I have to get one it will be a Temp license which I would have to renew and pay for every year. Stuff that!

My question is 'renewing UK driving license from Oz', not how do I get an Oz one. If anyone has any answers to that I would appreciate it.

Lord_Farquar

Think this may help
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...ence/DG_078070

paddyo

cheers fella, it is strange because I have the new photocard and everything but it was only for 6 years. There is no clear instruction on the Gov website so I have sent an enquiry.

ABCDiamond

There would be one reason.... if he doesn't have a current valid UK one !!

Do UK licences need renewing now ? I thought they ran for life, or at least till 70. I was sure that mine does.

Lord_Farquar

Yes, but he clearly state it is due to run out. Not has already expired.

It's a common misconception that licences are valid until 70. You have to renew the photo every 10 years.

JAJ

It looks like it's impossible to renew a GB licence unless you are a resident of GB.
Of course there's scope for discussion about "resident" but with a non-GB address, there's likely to be a problem.

So perhaps NSW licence is the best option for now?

Lord_Farquar

Where does it say it's impossible to renew a GB licence unless you are a resident of GB?

JAJ

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...plyC/DG_066944

I have yet to see anyone who has obtained or renewed a GB driving licence with a non-GB address. The only ones who have managed have supplied an address where they do not reside (probably illegal).

Lord_Farquar

Resident is open to interpretation. Especially on a temporary visa.

I would advise the OP contact the DVLA and ask them whether it's possible to do it from overseas. Explain the situation that he is a temporary resident of Australia and will be returing to the UK in 2011.

Seems a complete waste of time and money to get a NSW licence (that you don't legally need) for such a short amount of time.

ABCDiamond

Mine is a pre photo licence and clearly states the expiry date on my 70th birthday.

plantpot

You can easily do it and you don't have to be a resident, mine ran out as well (the photo bit) so I sent all the gubbins to my MIL and she sent a cheque (thats the annoying bit)....get all the forms sent to you and fill in and send back for a relly or a friend to post on with a cheque (as you can't pay online) although no idea why as who has cheque accounts these days anyway.

I got mine back really quickly and it is MUCH cheaper to gt it for the next 6 years rather than pay the same amount for each year on the NSW residents one which you don't need.

SO any kind friends or relatives that will do that for you? Without that it is pretty hard tbh!

HTH

Lord_Farquar

Sorry I thought we were talking about photocard licences not the old style paper ones.