In this article, you will learn how to get a new driver’s license and in which cases you should refuse to do that at all. Some points also apply to young drivers having chronic diseases.
When do you need to renew your driver’s license?
Regardless of whether you drive a car, motorcycle, or other passenger vehicle, your license automatically expires when you reach the age of 70. You can be fit as a fiddle and ready to run a marathon. It doesn’t matter. If you haven’t renewed your license at the age of 70, you are not allowed to drive.
There are special rules for drivers of buses, minibuses, and trucks that apply also at a young age.
Up to what age can you drive a car?
There is no upper age limit for driving a vehicle.
According to the latest rules, it is necessary to renew a driver’s license every three years, so this procedure will need to be repeated at 73, 76, etc.
It doesn’t matter whether you drive a vehicle regularly, occasionally, don’t drive at all, rent it or don’t have access to it. As long as you need a driver’s license, you are required to renew it every three years after you reach the age of 70.
What types of vehicles can you drive at 70 after the renewal of the license?
You can drive those vehicles that are specified in your driver’s license.
- If you have passed the driving test, you can continue to drive a car.
- If your driver’s license requires you to drive only a car with an automatic transmission, you aren’t allowed to drive a car with a manual one.
- If you have passed the motorcycle driving test, you can continue to drive a two-wheeled vehicle.
Let’s dispel popular myths
#1.
You need to take the driving test again at the age of 70
Untruth. You need to get a new health certificate, including eye examination.
If your health condition doesn’t allow you to drive a car, report it to the traffic police unit. This rule applies regardless of age.
#2.
You must pay for the renewal of your driver’s license
There are many websites that offer to renew a driving license at 70 for tons of money. On similar sites, they exchange passports, European medical cards and other documents at prices higher than the standard ones.
In accordance with present rules, they are obliged to notify you that you can get a driver’s license completely free of charge at the traffic police department. In Northern Ireland, this is done by the DVA.
How much does it cost to renew a driver’s license at 70?
The only expense item when renewing a driver’s license is a passport-size photo, if you have an old-type license.
In addition, you may need a medical certificate from your doctor if your health condition has deteriorated to the point that driving is dangerous both for you and others.
What happens when you renew your driver’s license?
If you have no health problems, your driver’s license expires when you reach the age of 70. You must renew your driver’s license to continue using it. After that, the driver’s license will need to be renewed every three years. Remember that there is no charge for this.
If you don’t apply for certain categories specified in the old driver’s license, you will only be able to drive a passenger car.
You should make a copy of your current categories before providing your old driver’s license. It happens that when you replace a driver’s license, you may find that some categories are missing. In this case, you will need to confirm that you have passed the exam for these categories.
In what time frame can you renew your driver’s license?
A traffic police officer will send you a D46P application form for a driver’s license renewal three months before you turn 70. If you’ve changed your place of residence, don’t forget to notify the traffic police unit (the DVA in Northern Ireland) about the new address.
Otherwise, you can fill out a D1 application form for a new driver’s license at the post office. Alternatively, you can call 0300 790 6801. For Northern Ireland — 0300 200 7861.
If your driver’s license has expired but you haven’t applied for a new one, you won’t be able to drive a vehicle. This means that your insurance will be cancelled.
Is it possible to renew a driver’s license online?
Yes, with the exception of Northern Ireland. You can renew your driver’s license for free if you are 70 or older, or if you turn 70 within the next 3 months. You will receive an identification code and detailed instructions on how to renew your driver’s license.
Is it possible to renew a driver’s license at the post office?
A traffic police officer will send you a D46P application form three months before your 70th birthday. The filled form must be returned to the traffic police officer.
If you have a plastic driver’s license, you need to send a new passport-size photo, attaching the application form to it. If you have a paper license, you must send a recent passport-size photo along with the corresponding application form.
Mail requests are processed within up to three weeks. This may take longer due to the pandemic.
Should you return your old driver’s license?
After getting a new driver’s license, the old one must be returned. Don’t worry! The previous driver’s license becomes invalid when you reach the age of 70. Penalties aren’t applied to persons who, for any reason, couldn’t return the old driver’s license.
However, we recommend that you have a copy of your old driver’s license.
How can you confirm your identity?
When you turn 70, you will need to confirm your identity. This is not required in all subsequent cases. This is most easily done if you have a British biometric passport.
Otherwise, you can confirm your identity in the following ways:
- provide your birth/adoption/naturalization certificates
- provide a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions with your personal social security number
- provide a salary slip
- provide an original letter with an application for benefits from the state
You are required to provide information about name/surname change (certificate of marriage (divorce)).
Does your photo need to be authenticated with a signature?
If your old photo in the new model driver’s license is still valid, it doesn’t need to be authenticated. Otherwise (usually if there are changes in the appearance or the absence of a plastic license), the photo must be authenticated by:
- Librarian
- Qualified specialists (lawyers, teachers, or engineers)
- Police officer
- Bank or building society employees
- Civil servants
- Clergymen
- Representatives of local businesses or tradesmen
- Members of a city magistrate
- Local councillors, members of the Parliament, the Assembly, or the Scottish Parliament
In some cases, a fee may be charged. Only someone who knows you well can be a signing person. The traffic police can conduct a check on a signing person.
What diseases must you notify the traffic police about?
There are the following among them:
- Dementia
- Diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Any chronic neurological disease (for example, multiple sclerosis)
- Any condition that affects the functioning of the visual organs, or in the case of complete loss of vision.
It is not necessary to notify the traffic police about other diseases. It all depends on what type of driver’s license you have and how much your condition affects your ability to drive a vehicle. For example, if you have problems with your limbs, you can only drive a specially designed type of vehicle.
Published April 15, 2021 • 7m to read
