Drivers reaching 'milestone birthday' face 'breaking law' due to DVLA rule
A driving rule affects millions born in specific year – and they MUST act now to avoid breaking a serious law. Turning age 70 will put motorists on the radar of the DVLA, requiring them to take urgent action or else be banned from the road.
Your licence also automatically expires when you turn 70, regardless of where you are in the renewal cycle. So when you reach 70, you need to renew your driving licence if you wish to continue driving. You then need to renew it every three years afterwards.
The DVLA (or the DVA in Northern Ireland) will send you a reminder and an application form to renew your licence as your 70th birthday approaches and then every three years afterwards when your licence is due for renewal.
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If you do not renew your licence, you will not legally be allowed to drive after your 70th birthday. If you carry on driving, your driving licence and motor insurance would not be valid, and you would be committing a serious offence which carries stringent penalties, which could include a heavy fine and having your car seized by the police.
When you receive your new licence, don’t forget to dispose of your expired licence and keep the new one in a safe place. The DVLA will send you a D46P application form 90 days before your 70th birthday, and then every three years afterwards. Complete the form and return it to the DVLA. If you haven't got the D46P form, you can use a 'D1 application for a driving licence form', which you can pick up from a Post Office.
If you have a photocard licence, you will need to send a new passport-type photo with your application form. If you have a paper licence, you will need to send an up-to-date passport-type photo with your application.
Postal applications take up to 3 weeks.