The driving licence trap: 1.6m drivers at risk of £1,000 fine for not renewing photo at £20 a time

[Michael Browne]

Over 1.6million drivers could be at risk of a £1,000 fine because the photograph on their driving licence has expired, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

 

Sainsbury’s car insurance discovered that many motorists are at risk of a hefty fine because they may not be aware that a photograph on their driving licence needs to be updated every ten years at a cost of £20, as set out by the DVLA. Those with old-style paper licences are not affected.

 

As well as 1.6million drivers’ photographs that have expired, a further 2.9million must be renewed by the end of 2012 - and over the next five years, almost 13million drivers must renew their photograph to abide by the law.

 

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-2081666/Driving-licence-trap-1-6m-drivers-risk-hefty-fine-renewing-photograph-20-cost.html#ixzz1j3YgdRiH

[borisbeaver]

I've got mine to do this week. The post office offer a service for £4.50 where they take the photograph and send it electronically to the DVLA.

[crem]

I've got mine to do this week. The post office offer a service for £4.50 where they take the photograph and send it electronically to the DVLA.

 

If you have a current, valid passport boris, you can authorise the DVLA to obtain this photo electronically themselves for free.

[borisbeaver]

The passport has to have been issued in the last 5 years. I got mine at the same time as my driving licence.

[crem]

oh well, always worth considering though boris to dodge the latest government con tax

[Willumn]

Just out of interest, does anyone know which bit of LAW they are using to yet again lay traps for the motorist. I ask this because there seems to be some considerable doubt as to the enforceability of their 'fines' for failing to declare SORN, etc. As far as I understand it, only Councils and Law Courts can levy fines.

Willum

[Raykay]

Just out of interest, does anyone know which bit of LAW they are using to yet again lay traps for the motorist. I ask this because there seems to be some considerable doubt as to the enforceability of their 'fines' for failing to declare SORN, etc. As far as I understand it, only Councils and Law Courts can levy fines.

Willum

 

It's not a 'fine', it is either a Late Licensing Penalty, s.7A, Vehicles Excise and Registration Act,1994, or an out of court settlement offer for not having a licence, contrary to s.29 or 31A of the same act.

[pipandjackandcol]

I've tried two post offices, and they both deny any knowledge of being able to send photos to the DVLA, or being able to use a passport photo. I can't see any reference to this in the leaflet that comes with the driving licence application form either. Have you any advice, please?

[borisbeaver]

If you have a post office local to your post code that provides the service, it will be listed on the back of the renewal form.

 

Mine is Redruth and they have put a booth at the end of the counter at the last position, which has a camera and a signature pad. Walk in, draw the curtain. The clerk checks your paper work, takes your photo, you sign the digital pad, hand over your old licence (make sure you retain a photocopy). I got mine back two working days later.