DVLA issues urgent reminder to drivers about their licence
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is warning drivers that it is possible to drive without a licence in certain situations - but only if specific conditions are met. As stated on the GOV.UK website, 'you can drive while your licence is being renewed if you meet all the following conditions', the DVLA confirms.
If your licence expires while the DVLA is processing your application, you might still be allowed to continue driving. This means you need to make sure:
you have the support of your doctor to continue driving
you had a valid licence
you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence
your application is less than a year old
your last licence wasn't revoked or refused for medical reasons
you're not currently disqualified
you weren't disqualified as a high risk offender on or after June 1, 2013
Additionally, if you have recently informed the DVLA of a new medical condition as part of an application, it explains what you ned to do in this situation, writing: "As soon as the DVLA receives your correct and complete application for a new licence and as long as you meet all the Section 88 criteria, you may drive.
"It is important that you are satisfied that the medical condition you have declared on your application does not stop you from driving. If you are unsure, check with your doctor or healthcare professional before you make a decision."
In more guidance, it adds: "You can also look up your condition in the 'Assessing fitness to drive' guide, which you can find here see whether you meet the medical standards for driving. As this guide is intended for healthcare professionals, it can be complicated. Your doctor or healthcare professional should be able to help you if necessary."
If you are unsure or not whether you can drive, you can read their detailed document, INF188/6 Can I drive while my application is with DVLA, to find out more information. However, this is not the only issue drivers are being made aware of.
The DVLA has reminded people: "You must renew your driving licence every 10 years." You can do this online and it should be a pretty quick turnaround as they say the process is "easy, quick and secure" and once completed, "your licence should arrive within a week if you apply online."
If you apply through post or at the Post Office, you should get your driving licence within 3 weeks. The DVLA noted: "It may take longer if your medical or personal details need to be verified. You're allowed to keep driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive."
Failure to carry out renewal could result in a fine of £1,000. As reported by RAC Drive: "UK drivers could receive a £1,000 fine because they have not renewed their expired photocard licences."
You can renew your full driving licence or provisional driving licence on the official GOV.UK website. It costs £14 when you apply online. If you're over 70 or have a medical short-period licence, there's no fee
The DVLA said: "You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years - you'll receive a reminder before your current licence ends."
be a resident of Great Britain (there's a different service in Northern Ireland
not be disqualified from driving
You'll need to apply for your first provisional licence if "you've never applied for a provisional licence before." You will also need one if "you applied for a provisional licence before 1 March 1973."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP Attendance Allowance claimants could lose £73 a week for not following rules
The Department for Work and Pensions warns Attendance Allowance claimants they could risk losing their payments Attendance Allowance recipients could face losing their payments entirely if they fail to notify authorities about changes to their circumstances. Latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show that nearly 1.7 million people across the UK were receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance by the end of August last year. However, many claimants may not realise that certain alterations to their situation must be reported to the DWP's Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122. And that is especially so if their health worsens or they need hospital care. That's because these could affect their entitlement or payment amounts. DWP guidance cautions: "You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances." The guidance goes on to specify the modifications that claimants must declare, which are listed below, reports the Daily Record. Reporting a change to the DWP You must immediately contact the Attendance Allowance helpline if: you go into hospital or a care home - you'll need to provide the address, the dates you've been there for, and how your stay is paid for your immigration status changes, if you're not a British citizen you plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks you want to stop receiving your benefit you go into prison you change your name, address or bank details your doctor's details change the level of help you need or your condition changes - you'll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live (you could get Attendance Allowance at a higher rate under 'special rules for end of life') If you're uncertain whether a change impacts your Attendance Allowance benefit, it's worth reaching out to the DWP for clarification - full details can be found on DWP guidance indicates that if your circumstances change the amount you receive from Attendance Allowance may increase or decrease. You can report any of these changes by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline by dialling 0800 731 0122. How much you get from Attendance Allowance Attendance Allowance is strictly paid at two rates on a weekly basis. The lower rate, provided when someone requires frequent assistance or constant supervision during the day or night, is set at £73.60 per week or £294.40 per month. The higher rate, given to those who need help or supervision throughout both the day and night, or when a medical professional has said that someone is nearing the end of life, is set at £110.40 per week or £441.60 per month.
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Daily Record
Pensioners in Scotland claiming new benefit could get first payment before end of this month
Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced all new claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland. The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show there are now 1,875 people over 66 receiving Pension Age Disability Payments (PADP), the new devolved benefit that has replaced all claims for Attendance Allowance north of the border. People of State Pension age with a disability, long-term illness or health condition could be eligible for the lower rate of £73.90 if they need help during the day or at night, or the higher rate of £110.40, if they need help during the day and at night, or if they are terminally ill. For anyone thinking about making a new claim, the latest data indicates the average processing time - from point of application to decision award letter - is currently six working days. For those applying with a terminal illness it is one working day. This means people submitting a new claim over the next few days could receive a letter or an email before the end of this month. However, it's important to be aware that complex cases may take longer and as awareness about the new benefit grows, that timeframe will undoubtedly increase. Insights from Social Security Scotland also shows the most common age of claimants is currently over 75. It also reveals that of the 2,575 applications processed - with a decision made by April 30 - 77 per cent were authorised, 11 per cent were denied and 11 per cent were withdrawn. Most successful applicants received the higher rate. Of all authorised applications, 79 per cent were awarded the higher level of 110.40 per week and 21 per cent were awarded the lower level of £73.90 over the period to 30 April 2025. Health conditions supported by Attendance Allowance and PADP The conditions listed below are sourced from information recorded on the DWP's Attendance Allowance computer system. PADP also supports people with these conditions. It's important to note this list is not a checklist for claiming Attendance Allowance or PADP, it is intended to help people understand what type of conditions are being supported. However, if you need extra support during the day or night due to a long-term illness, disability or health condition, you should check out the official eligibility guidance for Attendance Allowance on the website here. Main health conditions providing support to older people across Great Britain Arthritis Spondylosis Back Pain Disease Of The Muscles, Bones or Joints Trauma to Limbs Visual Disorders and Diseases Hearing Disorders Heart Disease Respiratory Disorders and Diseases Asthma Cystic Fibrosis Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral vascular Disease Epilepsy Neurological Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Parkinsons Disease Motor Neurone Disease Chronic Pain Syndromes Diabetes Mellitus Metabolic Disease Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Learning Difficulties Psychosis Psychoneurosis Personality Disorder Dementia Behavioural Disorder Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hyperkinetic Syndrome Renal Disorders Inflammatory Bowel Disease Bowel and Stomach Disease Blood Disorders Haemophilia Multi System Disorders Multiple Allergy Syndrome Skin Disease Malignant Disease Severely Mentally impaired Double Amputee Deaf/Blind Haemodialysis Frailty Total Parenteral Nutrition AIDS Infectious diseases: Viral disease - Coronavirus covid-19 The Scottish Government said PADP has been designed with the help of people who will be eligible for the benefit and those who support them. Improvements include a streamlined process for people to nominate a third party representative who can support them to communicate with Social Security Scotland. A fast-track process will be put in place for applicants diagnosed with a terminal illness. As already mentioned, this takes just one working day on average to process. Eligibility for Pension Age Disability Payment Guidance on provides full details on who can claim, how to claim, additional help available, what happens after a claim is submitted and extra support for successful claimants. Find out more here. You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both: Reached State Pension age (66) Had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition You can still apply if: You have not had care needs for 6 months or more - your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful You are waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis You have a terminal illness - there is a separate fast-track application process if you're terminally ill It's important to be aware you cannot get Pension Age Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance at the same time. Existing claimants will automatically move to Pension Age Disability Payment - Social Security Scotland will do this and you will not have to do anything. If you get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), you do not need to do anything. Your benefit will move to Social Security Scotland. Payment rates for Pension Age Disability Payment Social Security Scotland will provide Pension Age Disability Payment at the same weekly rate as Attendance Allowance. It is also currently doing this for the devolved Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment. The weekly payment rates for Attendance Allowance are: Lower rate - £73.90 Higher rate - £110.40 How do I apply for the Pension Age Disability Payment? You can only apply for the new disability assistance benefit if it has opened in your area. You can check on the dedicated pages on here. Anyone over State Pension age with a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe, should continue to apply for Attendance Allowance through the DWP. Get support making a claim from an independent advocate Help is also available from the independent advocacy service VoiceAbility, which is funded by the Scottish Government, to help disabled people applying for devolved benefits. It provides a free, nationwide advocacy service supporting disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits. If you need an advocate, you should: contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222 ask them to refer you to the Independent Advocacy Service Full contact details can be found here.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
DVLA issues urgent reminder to drivers about their licence
Drivers across the UK have been told to ensure they meet these 7 things before they drive The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is warning drivers that it is possible to drive without a licence in certain situations - but only if specific conditions are met. As stated on the website, 'you can drive while your licence is being renewed if you meet all the following conditions', the DVLA confirms. If your licence expires while the DVLA is processing your application, you might still be allowed to continue driving. This means you need to make sure: you have the support of your doctor to continue driving you had a valid licence you only drive under the conditions of the previous licence your application is less than a year old your last licence wasn't revoked or refused for medical reasons you're not currently disqualified you weren't disqualified as a high risk offender on or after June 1, 2013 Additionally, if you have recently informed the DVLA of a new medical condition as part of an application, it explains what you ned to do in this situation, writing: "As soon as the DVLA receives your correct and complete application for a new licence and as long as you meet all the Section 88 criteria, you may drive. "It is important that you are satisfied that the medical condition you have declared on your application does not stop you from driving. If you are unsure, check with your doctor or healthcare professional before you make a decision." In more guidance, it adds: "You can also look up your condition in the 'Assessing fitness to drive' guide, which you can find here see whether you meet the medical standards for driving. As this guide is intended for healthcare professionals, it can be complicated. Your doctor or healthcare professional should be able to help you if necessary." If you are unsure or not whether you can drive, you can read their detailed document, INF188/6 Can I drive while my application is with DVLA, to find out more information. However, this is not the only issue drivers are being made aware of. The DVLA has reminded people: "You must renew your driving licence every 10 years." You can do this online and it should be a pretty quick turnaround as they say the process is "easy, quick and secure" and once completed, "your licence should arrive within a week if you apply online." If you apply through post or at the Post Office, you should get your driving licence within 3 weeks. The DVLA noted: "It may take longer if your medical or personal details need to be verified. You're allowed to keep driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive." Failure to carry out renewal could result in a fine of £1,000. As reported by RAC Drive: "UK drivers could receive a £1,000 fine because they have not renewed their expired photocard licences." You can renew your full driving licence or provisional driving licence on the official website. It costs £14 when you apply online. If you're over 70 or have a medical short-period licence, there's no fee The DVLA said: "You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years - you'll receive a reminder before your current licence ends." be a resident of Great Britain (there's a different service in Northern Ireland not be disqualified from driving You'll need to apply for your first provisional licence if "you've never applied for a provisional licence before." You will also need one if "you applied for a provisional licence before 1 March 1973."
