If you lose your photocard driving licence, you need to apply for a new one straight away. The process explained here is the same for replacing a licence that has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
You should also contact the police if you think your licence has been stolen.
The paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was discontinued on 8 June 2015, so you will no longer receive a new one as part of this process. Any existing paper counterpart has no legal status and should be destroyed.
To begin the process of replacing a lost driving licence, visit the GOV.UK website. You will need to provide your driving licence number, National Insurance number and passport number, if you know them.
You’ll also need to be a resident of Great Britain, not disqualified from driving for any reason, and be able to provide addresses where you have lived for the last three years. The cost of a new driving licence is £20, which must be paid by Mastercard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.
What you need to apply for a new licence
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will use your passport photo for your new driving licence if the following are true:
Your licence is due to expire within two years
You have a valid UK passport
You give permission for the DVLA to use your photo
You will be sent a form if a suitable electronic photo is not available.
The information you need to provide
The process is simple. You will be asked for the following information:
Name, address, date of birth and country of birth
How long you have lived at your current address
Driver number
Telephone number, birth surname, mother’s maiden name, place of birth
National Insurance number
Passport number
If you have lived at your current address for less than three years, you will need to provide past addresses covering this period.
If you find your old licence after applying for a replacement, you must send it to the DVLA:
DVLA Swansea SA99 1AB
The process for replacing a lost driving licence is different in Northern Ireland, where licences here are still made up of two parts: a plastic photocard and paper counterpart. Click here to replace a driving licence in Northern Ireland.
A car is the second most expensive thing most of us will buy or lease. And just as you maintain your house or flat to a good standard, so too should you look after your car.
Read on for easy-to-follow advice to keep your car running reliably and efficiently for longer. It should save you money and hassle in the long-run.
Stick to the service schedule
We advise having your car serviced every 12 months, or possibly more often if you cover a lot of miles.
A service doesn’t just simply mean renewing the oil, either. It may involve replacing various consumables, including the oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs (if it’s a petrol engine) and more.
Servicing an electric car is simpler – and theoretically cheaper – as they have fewer moving parts. However, not all garages are equipped to deal with EVs, so you may need to visit a main dealer.
Top up the fluids
You should also keep your car’s fluids topped up between services.
From windscreen wash to engine oil, regular fluid checks are essential to help your vehicle live longer – and keep you safe. Don’t simply rely on a mechanic to check them once a year during the MOT test.
Change the filters
Filters keep the fluids your car uses clean. Oil, fuel (petrol or diesel) and air all have their own separate filters, which need to be changed at varying intervals. Oil and air filters should be replaced at every annual service.
Diesel cars also use a particulate filter (DPF), which can become blocked and is expensive to replace. However, most issues can avoided by simply driving your car regularly. Click here for advice on DPF maintenance.
Replace the spark plugs
Spark plugs are an essential part of your petrol engine, and should generally be changed at every service.
Is your car running rough? It could be the plugs. If you’re handy with a set of spanners, changing them is a relatively easy job to tackle in your garage at home.
Check your tyres
Safety should be reason enough to keep your tyres in tip-top condition; don’t forget, they are the only points of contact between your car and the road. However, financial savings are an added incentive.
Keeping your tyres inflated to the recommended pressures will save you money at the pumps. According to Michelin, tyres under-inflated by 15psi will cause a six percent decrease in fuel economy.
Keep your car clean
Your car might be running like a watch, but keeping it clean is also good for its health. Road grime and salt, tree sap, bird mess… it all adds up to, at best, sorry-looking paint. At worst, it will cause corrosion of your car’s bodywork and internal parts.
A clean car, both inside and out, will be more pleasant to drive and live for longer. It could also protect you from harmful bacteria and disease.
Use your garage
The best way to protect your car from the elements is to keep it away from them. Parking overnight in the safety of a garage will offer decent protection from birds and the British weather, not to mention car crime.
It still needs to be washed from time to time, though.
Kick the clutter
Extra weight equals unnecessary wear and tear. Clear the clutter out of your car and it will corner, stop and drive better overall. It will also use less fuel.
Indeed, less weight makes everything better when it comes to cars, as Lotus has been telling us for years.
Drive smoothly
Service, clean and keep your car safe all you want; if you don’t drive it correctly, things will go wrong.
That means avoiding hard acceleration and looking well ahead to anticipate stops, so you don’t have to slam on the brakes. Don’t rush the gears or sling the steering wheel around. That said, your engine will appreciate a zesty drive every so often.
Use your car’s equipment
Use it or lose it: what’s true of your body also applies to your car. Features like air conditioning and electric windows can seize over time. If you drive a convertible car, retract its roof every so often.
If nothing else, using certain features will confirm they still work, so you can get them fixed if not.
Keep the battery healthy
Batteries are fickle devices that need to be used to stay healthy. Leave your car for a while and the battery will go flat and degrade, especially in the UK’s variable climate.
If you know your car will be standing for a while, buy a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.
Don’t scrimp on parts
You’d be upset if you got second-rate organs for a transplant because they were cheaper. So don’t cut corners on car parts.
In general, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are best. If you’re buying aftermarket items, do your research – and only buy from reputable brands.
Rust-proof your car
Better to prevent rust now than fix it later. Before your car corrodes, before you’ve even washed it for the first time, it’s a good idea to get it rust-proofed.
Paint-protection wraps work well, and touch-ups of stone chips and other exposed metal will keep the orange wolf from your car door. An inspection underneath and, if necessary, a coating of underseal could be a good investment.
Don’t modify your car
The original parts that came on your car have all been tested over hundreds of thousands of miles. The same probably isn’t true of the aftermarket suspension springs you buy online.
If in doubt, keep things standard, or your car may suffer for it. A modified car is likely to be worth less when you sell, too.
German sports car maker Wiesmann has presented three different versions of its forthcoming Project Thunderball roadster.
The design concepts highlight the wealth of customisation options available for the €300,000 (£265,000) electric car.
However, with Project Thunderball already sold out until 2025, Wiesmann is giving potential customers plenty of time to think about interior and exterior finishes.
Roheen Berry, owner and CEO of Wiesmann, led the digital design process to provide inspiration for future Project Thunderball owners.
Saint-Tropez dreams
The first design concept is described as being the ‘very essence of convertible motoring, inspired by the moment in time when you and your car become one.’
It wears bespoke blue metallic paint, said to evoke images of ‘warm coastal waters’ and ‘endless skies’. This contrasts with the bold orange leather covering the seats, and the dramatic alloy wheels.
Soft-touch cream canvas and high-gloss teak wood trim are reminders of the Saint-Tropez resort on the French Riviera.
Jay Gatsby’s choice
With retro styling as standard, a trip back in time seems only right for Project Thunderball. The second design concept harks back to the 1920s, described as being the age of Modernism and optimism.
Wondering how F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic fictional character, Jay Gatsby, would design an electric roadster was the starting point for this car. It makes for a theme of ‘opulence and optimism’, aided by gold paintwork and a matching front grille.
The interior is finished in deep burgundy leather, complemented by matte soft-touch velvet detailing.
Stealth performance
With the ability to accelerate quietly from 0-124mph in less than nine seconds, a stealthy approach is taken for the third Project Thunderball design concept.
Matte black paint is used for the roadster’s exterior, with contrasting gloss black detailing to add an extra degree of visual menace. The theme continues inside, where you’ll discover black leather and gloss carbon fibre trim.
All Project Thunderball customers will be invited to the Wiesmann factory to see their car being made, and offer design input. First deliveries are due in 2024.
The MG4 EV has been crowned UK Car of the Year 2023 in a close-fought contest between a wide variety of new cars.
The UKCOTY Awards are judged by 27 experienced automotive journalists, including Tim Pitt of Motoring Research.
The MG4 took top honours ahead of the Dacia Jogger (voted Best Large Family Car) and the Toyota GR86 (Best Coupe).
As in 2022, when the Hyundai Ioniq 5 claimed the title, this year’s UK Car of the Year is fully electric. The MG4 is available with 51kWh (170hp) or 64kWh (204hp) batteries, offering 150kW charging capability and a maximum range of 281 miles.
The future is orange
Starting from £26,995 (or £269 a month on a four-year PCP finance deal), the MG won particular plaudits for its affordability. “In a world where practical electric cars are priced to the sky, the MG4 offers genuine value for money,” said Tom Ford of Top Gear magazine.
“MG has done a great job of bringing EVs to more people, thanks to its pricing,” added Andrew Clews, co-host of The Motoring Podcast.
Presenting the trophy, John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, said: “The MG4 proves that electric cars can be affordable, practical and appeal to all areas of the automotive market.
“Fully charged, it offers more than enough miles for most journeys, while the design and driving dynamics tick two other important boxes for consumers. A deserved winner for the electric future.”
The cars in front
A full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2023 category winners is below:
Best City Car – Toyota Aygo X
Best Family Car – MG4
Best Large Family Car – Dacia Jogger
Best Crossover – Kia Niro
Best Large Crossover – Range Rover
Best Coupe – Toyota GR86
Best Performance Car – Lotus Emira
We recently reviewed the Toyota GR86, declaring: ‘The GR86 is brilliant. Its DNA is closely related to the outgoing GT86, but this new car is altogether more focused… [It’s] also more engaging and exciting than a Mazda MX-5, albeit without the option to lower the roof and drive al fresco.’
We also loved the Lotus Emira V6, saying: ‘This is the most complete Lotus ever and a reassuring reminder that, even with the electric revolution already underway, Hethel hasn’t forgotten its past. The Porsche Cayman GTS is a more rounded sports car and, for now, still the default choice at this price, but the Emira seems more special.’
The clock is now ticking towards the World Car Awards 2023, with Richard Aucock of Motoring Research among the judges. The overall winner will be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on 5 April.
The Atto 3 is a pure electric alternative to models such as the Kia Niro EV (prices from £36,795) and the Volkswagen ID.4 (from £38,845).
It measures around 4.45 metres long, meaning it’s closely matched to the Kia, and a little smaller overall than the VW.
It has a 60.5kWh battery, for an official WLTP range of 260 miles, while the 204hp motor delivers 0-62mph acceleration in a sprightly 7.3 seconds.
The BYD Atto 3 can use 150kW DC public rapid chargers, boosting the battery from 30 percent to 80 percent charge in 29 minutes.
All three model grades also get vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality – so you can plug in devices such as laptops with a three-pin plug.
On sale this month
There will be three versions of the BYD Atto 3: Active, Comfort and Design. The higher grades are available from launch, with the more affordable Active arriving in the second half of the year.
Bosses say first deliveries will begin on 15 March 2023, through a series of newly-opened BYD ‘Pioneer’ stores (or car dealers) located in a growing number of areas, including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Milton Keynes.
Michael Shu, general manager and MD of BYD Europe said: “BYD’s passenger car business has developed rapidly. We have made some preparations for the British market and brought a new product matrix, including our first car – the BYD Atto 3.
“At present, BYD has served a total of 3.5 million car owners. We hope to bring these experiences to the United Kingdom, which we recognise as one of the top European markets.
“With the advantages of BYD’s core technology, cost and production capacity, combined with the localised resources of local dealer groups, we will bring diversified choices to consumers and provide great customer service.”
Motoring Research will be driving the new BYD Atto 3 soon… come back to read our first drive review.
Instead, the Happy Hounds playlist features a selection of songs designed to help the 60 percent of dogs who become anxious when travelling in a car.
Three-quarters of the dog-owning drivers surveyed said they have been distracted by their furry friend while on the move.
It makes nervous dogs a road safety concern for Skoda, with the brand now a sponsor of the famous Crufts dog show.
Chill-out tunes for dogs
Developed with Anna Webb, a leading dog behaviourist, Happy Hounds includes songs that are scientifically proven to help canines feel calmer.
The songs chosen all have a beats-per-minute (BPM) count that mimics the heart rate of dogs. Emulating the heart rate has been shown to have a soothing effect.
Music genre choices are also important, with Webb noting that “it’s proven that dogs like reggae”, whereas heavy metal is likely to disturb their sleep cycle.
Webb has also given tips on how to make dogs feel more comfortable when travelling. This includes securing them with a harness before getting into the car, ensuring the cabin temperature is set to 20 degrees Celsius, and keeping music volume low at first.
Top of the pups
Making dogs familiar with the music playlist before a car journey is also recommended by Webb. This means dogs will then associate the songs with relaxing times, and thus feel less stressed in the car.
Following the creation of the playlist, Webb tested the songs with drivers who had struggled with their dog’s anxiety on car journeys.
The top 10 songs from the Skoda Happy Hounds playlist are:
Audi has revealed a new electric mountain bike, designed for serious off-road performance.
Developed with Italian bicycle company Fantic, the bicycle takes inspiration from Audi’s RS Q e-tron Dakar racer.
Just as Audi vehicles make use of aluminium construction, the electric two-wheeler utilises the same lightweight material for its frame.
Maximum pedal power
A 36-volt lithium-ion battery pack is mounted inside the bike’s frame, powering a 250-watt motor on the rear axle.
Riders can choose between four levels of electrical assistance, with a digital display mounted on the handlebars.
Ohlins suspension offers up to 180mm of travel, with disc brakes and off-road tyres also fitted as standard.
Production numbers for the Audi mountain bike will be limited, and buyers can pick from three frame sizes. Prices in the UK start from a not-insubstantial £8,499, with registration for interested buyers now open through the Audi website.
Expanding e-mobility
Audi is the latest carmaker to launch an electric-powered mountain bike in recent months. Porsche updated its range of eBikes at the end of 2022, including the off-road-focused eBike Cross.
Motorcycle manufacturers Ducati and Triumph have both released electric bikes in recent years, too.
“At Audi, we’ve been bold in our commitment to becoming a leader in providing sustainable premium mobility,” said Andrew Doyle, director of Audi UK.
“The Audi electric mountain bike in cooperation with Fantic is another fantastic example of how we can expand our mobility offering to customers that extends beyond the award-winning models they drive.”
It made for an ice racing experience in miniature, tackling a slippery course with trophies awarded to the best drivers.
Batteries are included
Founded in 2019, The Little Car Company has created a range of downsized classic cars for children (or perhaps the young at heart). Don’t mistake them for toys, however: each one is a lovingly hand-built recreation of an iconic car.
Drivers in St. Moritz could sample the company’s three main models. The Bugatti Baby II, Aston Martin DB5 Junior, and Ferrari Testa Rossa J all took to the ice during the two-day event.
Joining them was the new, limited-edition Testa Rossa J ‘Pacco Gara’, an upgrade offering enhanced performance for the miniature Ferrari.
With top speeds of up to 50mph, driving one of the battery-powered Little Cars on ice requires some skill, and a few choice upgrades. Each car was fitted with studded tyres and a limited-slip differential.
Frozen speed in miniature
Officially licensed by their respective manufacturers, each vehicle is made at The Little Car Company’s base at Bicester Heritage. Such attention to detail does come at a cost, with prices starting at £39,000 for the Aston Martin DB5 Junior.
Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company, said: “The ICE at St. Moritz is an unbelievable event that holds a special place in the diaries of car enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. For us here at The Little Car Company, we were thrilled to be presenting four of our cars on the ice, and just as excited to see attendees get behind their wheels.
“We are already looking forward to returning to the ICE again next year with some exciting additions to the Little Car fleet, which we are confident will have heads turning.”
New car prices have risen by a staggering 43% since 2018, new research from Auto Trader has revealed.
At the start of 2018, the average new car cost £27,305. Fast-forward five years, and the average new car list price is a heady £39,038.
New car prices have risen consistently over the years, peaking with growth of 12 percent at the start of 2020, while prices rose 9 percent at the start of 2023.
Auto Trader experts say some of the increase can be put down to the changing preferences of British new car buyers – namely, the shift from regular hatchbacks to SUVs.
Back in 2018, hatchbacks took almost 1 in 3 new car sales, making them the most popular type of new car.
However, in 2023, SUVs are by far the preferred body type – accounting for over 40 percent of new car sales.
Barely 1 in 5 new car buyers now favour hatchbacks.
Electrifying prices
However, the biggest impact on the rise in new car prices is the move to electric cars.
The share of the more expensive electric cars has increased from 1 percent of all new cars on sale to 12 percent over the past five years, while hybrids have grown from 2 percent to 14 percent.
In contrast, the share of new diesel cars has shrunk from 46 percent of the new car marketplace, to just 17 percent.
Add in the significant rise in inflation leading to increased borrowing costs, and Brits are spending a growing amount per month on new cars.
As the Bank of England base rate has risen from 0.5 percent to 4.0 percent, so too have PCP finance rates gone up.
Auto Trader research shows average new car APRs powering finance calculators have risen from 5.1 percent in January 2022, to 8.1 percent at the start of this year.
At least, adds the new and used car marketplace, used car prices are following suit: they have risen for 35 months in a row.
The average price of a used car is up by around £4,000 since the start of the pandemic.
Auction website Bring a Trailer (BaT) is celebrating the end of its 100,000th auction, marking a major milestone for the online platform.
Started as a blog by Randy Nonnenberg in 2007, BaT has grown to become a leading destination for enthusiasts to buy and sell cars.
Datsun 240Zs have become a staple of BaT auctions. It was therefore fitting that the 100,000 car sold would be this Lime Yellow example, owned by Bring a Trailer Media LLC since 2018.
It even made an appearance in our own ‘behind the scenes’ look at the auction company in 2019, seen residing in the company’s San Francisco headquarters.
An icon of the Bring a Trailer community
Since being added to the BaT fleet in 2018, the Datsun has made multiple event appearances across the United States. This included taking part in events such as the Copperstate Rally, Targa Baja California, and the three-day Overcrest Rally.
It also proved to be a star attraction at several BaT alumni gatherings, held at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway.
Bidding for the special Datsun was predictably intense, with the final winning bid a substantial $124,240 (£105,000).
The car also attracted a huge number of comments from the extensive BaT community, something which has shaped the direction of the auction site over many years.
Building a bright yellow future
For the substantial sale price, the new owner will have a Datsun 240Z powered by an upgraded Rebello Racing straight-six engine. Multiple modifications helped push its total output to a dynamometer-tested 203 hp with an accompanying 190 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels.
A new five-speed manual transmission was installed prior to the auction, with multiple brake and suspension upgrades having previously been fitted. A set of 16-inch Panasport alloy wheels completed the exterior makeover.
All of the money raised from the auction, including the BaT buyer’s fee, will be donated to the Piston Foundation. This charity helps young technicians build careers in the collector car industry, by funding programs in the skilled trades
It all makes for a successful outcome from BaT’s milestone 100,000th auction event.
