My present driving licence runs out on 5th July, and from 6th July (my birthday) I need a new licence for those aged 70 and over. It has finally come round, the era of old-age motoring!
I applied for my new licence this morning, online. You can do it in advance, if you are going to be 70 in the next 90 days. I thought it wise to get my application in now, so that (so long as there are no hitches) I should have the new licence before my next caravan outing in May.
I thought it would be a difficult procedure - applying online - but I was quite wrong. The form was easy enough to complete. I had ready my passport number and all the other other details needed. And I had nothing to report in the way of potentially-troublesome health conditions.
Apparently the DVLA will now do some cross-referencing to confirm my identity. They also want my old plastic driving licence back, cut in two - presumably the new driving licence won't actually be authorised until the old one is in their hands. Well, it went off this morning from the local post office, at 10.53am, using 'First Class Signed For' delivery. I've therefore done all I can to avoid delays.
Somewhat to my surprise, there was no insistence on supplying an up-to-date photograph. I suppose that's because both my current driving licence and my current passport are of recent date: December 2019 and November 2020 respectively, and the photos in them would still be a good likeness. I wonder which they will use? The driving licence photo, or the passport photo? Neither is flattering.
The new driving licence will be valid for three years, then I must reapply at three yearly intervals, for as long as I want to keep on driving. Since I love driving, and want to be roaming the country for as long as I can, certainly into my late eighties, that means at least six more applications to deal with in the future. Hey ho.
