The DVLA has announced a further extension for motorists with driving licences expiring in 2020.
Drivers who have a photocard or entitlement to drive expiring between 1 February and 31 December 2020 now have a further 11 months from the date of expiry to apply to renew their licence.
The extension is automatic, and drivers don’t need to do anything.
Motorists will only need to apply to renew their licence when they receive a reminder before the automatic extension expires.
In June, the DVLA granted a seven-month automatic extension for driving licences, after agreement with the EU.
This followed a new EU regulation that allowed automatic extensions to be applied.
“The initial extension from the EU expired at the end of August and we have now agreed a further extension with the EU to the end of December,” said a DVLA spokesperson.
Motorists are required to renew photocards every 10 years: it’s every five years for bus and lorry drivers.
“Drivers who have already applied to renew their photocard driving licence or entitlement to drive can usually carry on driving while we process their application providing they have not been told by their doctor or optician that they should not drive,” added DVLA chief executive Julie Lennard.
The automatic extension means motorists can carry on driving – and “don’t need to worry about the admin or the associated costs with renewing their licences”.
Renewing a driving licence costs £17 for those who apply by post, and £14 for those who do it online.
DVLA delays
The DVLA has been experiencing delays in dealing with paper applications during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is leading to motorists waiting far longer than normal for paperwork to be processed and returned.
The DVLA says this is due to social distancing at its Swansea HQ restricting the number of people who can work on site at any one time.
Online applications, a spokesperson told Motoring Research, are unaffected by delays.
ALSO READ
Driver eye test ‘not fit for purpose’