I did something stupid this week. I’m going to Nor’n Ireland next week, and hiring a car, so on Tuesday I decided to gather the documents together.
I couldn’t find my licence, and after an hour or so of looking I panicked and decided I’d better try and get a replacement before it was too late, if it wasn’t already. That was the stupid thing, because I knew it wasn’t really lost - I would only ever have put it in a ‘safe place’ and it was a near certainty I would remember where, or just find it. However.
Here’s the interesting bit - you can now get a new licence online. They say it usually takes about a week, which I just about had, so I decided to get things in train immediately. Provided you have a current passport and the photograph is no more than 5 (I think) years old, there’s no need to post anything.
Naturally, I remembered where I had temporarily stashed the licence (by now probably voided by DVLA) about half an hour later.
Anyway - incredibly, the new one arrived this morning, less than 72 hours after I requested it. Well done DVLA. I have checked that my entitlements are correct - I have heard that the BE entitlement has been known to drop off, but mine (which I use) is still there.
Something else I have just discovered is this
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Now that the paper part is redundant, it is where you will find any current endorsements, and you can if you need one generate a check code for car hire etc., although I understand nobody ever asks for them.
Good stuff John - better 2 licences than none:-) The only difference may be the issue number of the new licence.
I had a similar temporary thought when I need to find my licence the other day - luckily found very quickly but not quite where I expected it to be.
New insurance with Adrian Flux so they required a copy of both sides of my licence photo card and those of any named driver. I used to scan these but far easier to send digital photos.
They also require these check codes for all drivers - never been asked for this before or named driver details. The check code is very easy to obtain, just need licence number and NI number and postcode - valid for 21 days.
Nice to know that the replacement licence turns up very quickly if required.
I’ve been asked for those licence checks online before. I’m a tight so n so, still have the paper job, needs renewing to the card jobby in 2024![]()
Same here.
10 mins online on Monday last. paid £20.00, arrived on Wednesday.
My old 1976 paper one was literally coming apart.
Spooky to see your passport signature…without having signed anything.
Big Bruvver!
Oo err! I’ve never been asked for that by any insurance company! Is that the norm and have I just been lucky?
Only some ask for licence ID, it’s usually I’ve found specialist insurers who want it, mine was given to Greenlight and i think A-plan. I’ve been with most, the mainstream insurers have never asked.
Been doing the license check thing for a few years now everytime I reinsure the Taxi. Even while staying with the same insurers. Driving license’s also replaced 2 years ago when moving home. Nice to see the Gov website working so well. It surprised and impressed me also.