What Forms Do I Fill In?

[Matty_T]

Hi guys,

Found myself in quite the pickle! I did a short jail term (6 months) in 2016 (stupid messy eBay fraud - didn't kill anyone, ha). During that period, my 4-year short permit driving licence expired. I lost paperwork (and my old plastic licence) during all the upheaval. I think it expired in November 2016, but I don't know for sure.

I have only recently got myself back into the position to afford a car and to actually drive again.

I tried to use the Goverment Gateway to renew my licence, but as I only have a passport, I couldn't pass all of their security checks. They don't accept my Nationwide checking account and I don't have the other things they require like council tax bills, mobile phone contract etc.

When I clicked on 'Other Ways to Renew Licence', there are lots of forms. The DVLA themselves don't seem to know which one to fill in; neither do my doctors or any of my diabetic friends! I have held a full driving licence since the age of 21 (17 years). But before, I have always applied for a new licence when my other one is about to expire. I have never left it until it actually expired, let alone 18 months (or more) later.

I am currently looking at the DIAB1 form from the DVLA, but I don't know if that is just to 'update' the DVLA of a new condition (diabetes)...or whether this will result in them issuing a new plastic licence. I don't know if my picture needs updating (I've had the same one since I was 21).

Sorry for the long-winded post. Stressing a little because it took me three years to pass (7 tests later due to nerves on the day!) --- and I don't know where I stand now. I don't have hypos, my blood sugar is well controlled and my last HBA1C results were 37 (5.7ish). Still on just two injections a day (Humilin M3). 10st 8pounds at 5feet 9inches. Positives come from negatives...I lost two stone in prison and got 'fit'. I had lost control of the diabetes in the year before, but now it's all good again.

If you could point me in the right direction, that would be awesome. To summarise... My licence expired some time in 2016 and I've lost the plastic card. I have a counterpart with my Driver's Number. I'm struggling to do it online because I don't have the necessary proof of who I am (just a passport). I'm currently looking at the DIAB1 form, but have no idea if that's the correct one to send to DVLA and/or whether I need to send them a new photograph.

God bless you all. I hope your diabetes is under control.

Matt

 

[Rachox]

Hi Matt, the only bit I can answer is that photo’s on driving licences have to be updated every 10 years.
I hope you get this sorted soon.

 

[Matty_T]

Thanks. I'm guessing I would need a new photograph then. Now I just need to know what form to fill out. Haha.

Thanks your help. Much appreciated.

 

[Goonergal]

I’m guessing that the CAB might be a good starting point for specialist advice.

 

[satindoll]

You could try phoning the DVLA directly......the number should be on the form or web page........they could then send you the right form, just be careful you don't lose the Drivers Number on the counterpart........if they ask you to send them the counterpart to prove who you are do get a few photocopies before posting.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi Matt, the only bit I can answer is that photo’s on driving licences have to be updated every 10 years.
I hope you get this sorted soon.

Is that right? I had to renew my licence last December when I reached 70. My photo is over 10 years old (dark brown very long hair at the time. Totally the opposite now!) but I wasn't asked to change it. Maybe an oversight on their part.

 

[Rachox]

Is that right? I had to renew my licence last December when I reached 70. My photo is over 10 years old (dark brown very long hair at the time. Totally the opposite now!) but I wasn't asked to change it. Maybe an oversight on their part.

I just checked mine, I renewed mine in 2016 and it now has an expiry date of 2026.
However they are not consistent as my daughter at the age of 17 applied for her driving licence on line. By the wonders of gov.uk she managed to use her passport photo which was of her aged 13! She now has a full licence with her 13 yr old self until it expires when she’s 28!

 

[Bluetit1802]

I just checked mine, I renewed mine in 2016 and it now has an expiry date of 2026.
However they are not consistent as my daughter at the age of 17 applied for her driving licence on line. By the wonders of gov.uk she managed to use her passport photo which was of her aged 13! She now has a full licence with her 13 yr old self until it expires when she’s 28!

Exactly the same happened to me when my 10 year renewal came round. They have used my passport photo automatically. However, my passport has long since expired as we no longer go abroad, but when my aged 70 renewal came round they have just continued to use it, no questions asked.

 

[DCUKMod]

Of course the DVLA or the passport people can't possibly ow what we look like, , so I doubt they could be responsible for picking that up.

I still have a paper license. I have owned this house a long time, and thus far haven't had to send it off for points or anything, so I'll stick with it. The new license is a useful form of photo ID though.

Good luck with it @Matty_T . It's to be applauded you're getting your life back on track. It can't have been easy.

 

[Pipp]

Of course the DVLA or the passport people can't possibly ow what we look like, , so I doubt they could be responsible for picking that up.

I still have a paper license. I have owned this house a long time, and thus far haven't had to send it off for points or anything, so I'll stick with it. The new license is a useful form of photo ID though.

Good luck with it @Matty_T . It's to be applauded you're getting your life back on track. It can't have been easy.

I thought I was the only person left who still had paper licence.
I think @satindoll oll gives the best advice here. A quick phone call, hopefully, and you can get it sorted. Best of luck, @Matty_T

 

[Matty_T]

Thanks @Pipp, @Bluetit1802, @Rachox, @satindoll,and @Goonergal. The phone was my first port of call. The girl I spoke to hadn't the foggiest idea. She suggested asking the guys in the Post Office! Haha. I said, "You're the DVLA. They'll tell me to call you!" I guess I'll try again on Monday.

Thanks for all the help; truly appreciated. And yes, @DCUKMod, it's been a tough road. My girlfriend of 9 years (whom I had lived with for eight years) hid a huge debt from me. She suffered with mental health issues and threatened to hurt herself if I didn't come up with the cash. No one held a gun to my head. We all have choices in this life and I'm not proud of any of it... but I was backed into a corner. No one wants to see someone they love harm themselves. So I set up the fraud. My intention was to receive a quick payment and then pay the 'victims' back once I had secured a loan. The police came knocking within four days, so I didn't have time to sort it.

I went into court with the money to return to everyone who had lost out, but that didn't help. I was on police bail for 3 years. I denied my partner's involvement in any of it (they knew was complicit because she paid off her debt and the money went into her account; but they couldn't prove it beyond all reasonable doubt). Because I was adamant it was me and me alone, after just over 2 years they dropped the case against her. The very day they dropped it, she left. She had been sleeping with someone else for a year. She kept up the front just until she was 'in the clear'. So, for a fraud I didn't want commit (neither did I benefit from in any way), I went to prison for six months and had a tag on my ankle for four months. I was padded up with a paedophile...then an armed robber. And when I came out, I had lost all chances of continuing a career as a Special Needs Teacher. In one moment, I lost my relationship, my home, all my assets, my career, my reputation, my liberty...and my university education was renders useless against a criminal record.

I really do try to remain positive. The poor souls in Syria etc have it far worse than me. And I don't let diabetes stop me doing anything. So, for the most part, I have my health. I always wanted to be a writer. It's funny how life works...because now I have no choice. It's writing or a minimum wage job. Bring it on! Haha.

Sincere thanks again. I just really hope I don't have to take a test again. Based on how long it took me to pass the first time around...I'll be drawing a pension by the time I passed it again! Haha.

Peace y'all.

Matt

 

[Deleted member 308541]

I still have a paper license.

I thought I was the only person left who still had paper licence.

My UK driving licence expired when I turned 70 it was paper as well, pink coloured thingy.

We get a new photo taken when we renew drivers licences here in Queensland, facial recognition style every five years.