Licence only good for 10 years

[PeteJ]

The main thing is that the photo licence is worthless without the paper part. The paper part says valid till aged 70, the photo part is only good for ten years. My rant is that one doesnt match the other and people will get confused, and people will have to pay fines for something that is confusing from the start.
Another governmental cock up is the European Bike Test due to start this September has been postponed for six months, so for them doing the test you have six months grace.
DSA - Extra time granted for new motorcycle test

[Rubianroaddog]

I just checked my license, only 10 years, then I have to pay another £17.50 for a new one. Unless of course they make them cheaper, can anyone see that happening?
Cheers
Mick
;-)

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by PeteJ

The main thing is that the photo licence is worthless without the paper part. The paper part says valid till aged 70, the photo part is only good for ten years.

Not quite Pete. The only licence dates quoted on the paper bit are for provisional entitlement; mine also has PSV provisional which runs out when my HGV does, everything else at age 70 as you say. The only thing the paper bit's useful for (speaking as a former recruitment consultant and transport manager) is as documented proof of any endorsements and previous disqualifications.

As Tibbs will be able to confirm, New Zealand uses the same type of plastic licence as we do but without the paper bit.

One thing worth noting BTW; if you do send your licence off, make sure you have good photocopies of it on record, scanned on your PC ideally; and check your new licence very carefully when you get it back to ensure you have all the correct categories on it. It's not unknown for motorcycle and HGV entitlement to be missed off. Applies VERY much to drivers who pass the magic age of 70, as that's when they ask you if you want certain categories (for example C1 which gives light HGV entitlement) removed.

[Rubianroaddog]

Hey Kev,
Never thought of scanning license, but it definitely makes sense.
When I took my daughter to do her CBT there was a young guy there who's license had some strange dates on it, it actually expired before it started. So watch out for that sort of typo as well!
Cheers
Mick
;-)

[Tibbs Art]

As Tibbs will be able to confirm, New Zealand uses the same type of plastic licence as we do but without the paper bit.

Your right Kev, the licence is the same in NZ and the Government is also the same.
Money hungry buggers.
I past my car test when I was 15 and did my bike test in the Uk in 1999.
When I went back to NZ to live over a year ago the law didn't reconise my UK bike licence and wanted me to sit a written test and pay $120 to change my licence back to a NZ one even though it states on my UK photo licence I past my car test in NZ.
I suppose the point I'm trying to make (other than ride without a licence in NZ, not something I ever did for a year) is they make the rules and there is sod all you can do about it.
I think there is better things to moan about with this government, it's hardly gonna brake your bank £17.50.

Tibbs