inggris

The holder has left UK since his/her NI Number and UK Driving Licence were issued in 1999. If he/she is moving back to UK.....

(a) can the paper driving licence get replaced by the new plastic card one?

(b) is the NI Number still valid?

Mummy in the foothills

Your NI is yours for life, and can be looked up when you get back. If you have a paper license like mine, mine expires when I'm 70 or something, I can get it changed to a plastic one when I get home, the address will still be the same for me.

inggris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills

Your NI is yours for life, and can be looked up when you get back. If you have a paper license like mine, mine expires when I'm 70 or something, I can get it changed to a plastic one when I get home, the address will still be the same for me.

Thanks for your immediate reply.

My paper driving license also expires when I am 70. Just wonder whether the plastic one needs to get renewed every 10 years.

I also guess the DVLA will keep the paper one in order to issue you a plastic one. If yes, does it mean there is no more paper indicates you license expires when you are 70?

Mummy in the foothills

I was told on my last visit back in 2009 that I didn't have to get my license updated, but I think I will when we move. I drove using my paper one and the bank used it for ID too.

concretepump

hi you will have to get the photo, renewed, had mine done about five years ago think it is every ten years now that they redo photos

scottydog357

Any idea what happens when the photocard has expired but the paper part is still valid? Going back for a holiday soon and may get my photo part updated and change the address to my parents house. At least then I will have a form of ID to get the other stuff sorted eg. bank account!
Anyone done this before or had any dramas?

inggris

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottydog357

Any idea what happens when the photocard has expired but the paper part is still valid? Going back for a holiday soon and may get my photo part updated and change the address to my parents house. At least then I will have a form of ID to get the other stuff sorted eg. bank account!
Anyone done this before or had any dramas?

Didn't you need to surrender the paper one to DVLA in order to get the photocard one previously?

scottydog357

No, definately go a 2 part licence (well called that back in early 2000's). Photo licence expired 2011, so about 1 year out, but paper licence has expiry in around another 30 years time.

Pomster

when I came back I had to get a 10 year photo licence as you have to keep your current address on it (fineable). My paper licence had my last UK address from many years ago.

As an enticement for me to swap, they supplied my first photolicence for free.

My paper one ran out when I will be 70, sadly the new one runs out many years prior, but it is only something like £10

Tr1boy

You don't 'swap' your paper one for a plastic one, you need both parts. Lots of times the plastic part is not valid without the paper part, but the paper part is always valid without the plastic part*, as the plastic part is not needed by law (yet). I haven't done the plastic part yet and have no issue with buying cars, insurance, jobs needing a licence etc.

* the only exception I have noted, but needed so far seems to be the hiring of vehicles, that seems next to impossible with the plastic part.

(sorry, just saw Scottydog said more or less the same)

mayhemuk

I always understood the current photocard driving license to be a 2 part 'document' neither is valid without the other?

In practice I only carry the plastic bit but if was called to present I would expect to show both.
( I know for work when we take D/Lic as ID most lenders expect to see both parts)

Alfresco

It's a stupid system... like having a two part passport. Never understood it really.

Tr1boy

#

Well now in one sense 'no' and the other could be 'yes'. If you've only ever had a paper licence, it is currently 100% valid. I am not sure where the law stands one the issue of having a photo part and letting that lapse.

Ironically, the only photo ID I have with me on a regular basis (in my wallet) is my Oz DL and everyone seems to accept that (oh and my cycle racing licence which was good enough for library)

Tr1boy

It's a transition phase I reckon. In a few years time it will compulsory to have both, then they'll do away with paper. But the paper licence is very entrenched in the UK way of life and having it valid until 70, beats the money grabbing Oz system of yearly renewal (or discounted 5 yearly) hands down.

What I always found odd in Oz was how they made such a song and dance about 'No ID cards' in the late 80s, and then let the photo licence in without a whimper

mrcibubur

Be extremely careful what you tell DVLA when renewing your photocard ID when it expires and how you do it otherwise they may refuse to renew it if you are aware you are out of the Uk for more than 185 days and may even ask you to take a medical with your GP! Now their compromise is to issue a D737 Certificate, a standard Certificate they say for ex pats overseas. do all the processing while back in Uk