Anyone tried renewing their Driving Licence over 70 - why is it so difficult?

I've done it twice now. The first time I also had a lot of trouble with things not going as they should. Plus there seemed to be some difficulty with my birth certificate that I had to send in because it had my maiden name on it so I then had to send in my marriage certificate. The second time was much easier. I think once you're in their system it should be quite straightforward.

I believe that once your DVLA application has been received, they then send you a letter in the post which you must give to the Spec Savers optician in order to book your eye test appointment for your licence.

A friend says her life has stopped since not being able to drive. She was the only driver, living in a rural location, taking her husband and herself to their various hospital, doctor and dental appointments. Doing the main weekly shop had to stop and she’s not able to walk too far or carry heavy shopping bags. Neither can she now visit her daughter or grandchild or get to her two social activities at clubs. She’s bereft and housebound. Taxis fares are out of the question as well. This must be occurring a lot now I imagine.

I am 90 will be 91 next September and will née to renew licence by following March

This year the DVLA has ditched their previous online system and gone with the goverment one place for every department so only one online password etc for the customer. I had to photgraphy mypassport inside, on the front and then tell my phone to take a selfie of myself in an oval window they projected. Took me about an hour in all. However next time it should be simple and now I have linked my licence with my car they will email and text me when the MOT is up

I've reviewed mine on line without any problems but this year also have to get new photo so am imagining this might present a problem. Don't know anywhere locally to get a photo taken.

I'm in a similar position. I tried to renew my licence on line. I have neither a smart phone or access to apps. I tried to navigate the web site as the OP did and got so frustrated I filled in the form and sent it pigeon post.
Web sites with bots or 'chat lines' never ask the right questions!

I renewed mine online last week as I’m 70 in April. I did it online on my iPad - had sent my old passport off for renewal & name change, so just used the photo from my old license by uploading a photo of its front & back taken on my iPhone & uploading it. Was very pleased with myself for figuring out how to do it. Received my new license in the post 7 days after the online submission. Did my passport online too & that is due to be delivered tomorrow- 9 days post application. A round of applause for 2 institutions that seem to be working!!!

I renewed last Autumn, with no problems; my passport had expired in 2014 and I was late in renewing my Licence. It shut down very abruptly and I was worried that I hadn't completed it properly so I found the number, phoned and as I was listening to all the spiel about pressing this number your call is important to us etc, I said out loud,'Oh yeah, I believe you and the rest' whereupon a very pleasant voice said, can I help you' and proceeded to do so very efficiently and speedily. I then compounded it by saying that I had forgotten to pay., (renewed twice since aged 70.
So phone them, they really are helpful and kind however stupid you may feel.

I've renewed mine twice now. Granted my first one at 70 was in the middle of Covid-19 but one I only did last year. I have an android phone but all my details are on ny Laptop so I used that.

I tried to renew mine on line yesterday. However, when it came to the step of taking a photo from my passport it didn't work for me. I ended up filling in the paper form and posting.

I wondered why my tech savvy DH renewed his driving licence by post. Now I know!

OH has just gone through the same procedure.Avalon. He has no mobile phone and like you, mine (Which recommend) is not compatible with gov. web site. Hours of wasted time.

I've renewed twice on line. It was easy and quick although I have no medical issues, tick yes for wearing glasses and yes for using my passport photo. My new licence arrived in less than a week both times.

I find their website difficult to use … once the over 70s licence is received I’ve renewed by post every 3 years! Much simpler !

I had to renew last July. The site wouldn't allow me to renew because they had no record of my passport photo??? I had renewed my passport two months previously.
I filled in the paper form from the Post Office and new licence came back within ten days.

I renewed mine online a few months ago, no problems but quite a few questions to answer. I don’t have any illnesses and used my previous photo. New licence arrived about a week later.

I sent mine by post, found it easier, the new one came back in 10 days. Perhaps forget about trying to do it on line and just use the post.

I renewed mine on line late last year and had no problem at all with it. I had the new licence a week later and simply posted the old one back to them. This may be the last licence I have. I’m eighty this year and am considering whether to carry on driving or not.

My 3 year renewal came just before Christmas.I started the procedure on line but could not believe what I had to do.Soon got fed up and filled out the paper form.Phone number and e-mail not necessary,ticked required boxes and came back within 3 weeks.Probably delayed by the Christmas period.

I have just renewed mine. I did have a bit of an issue when it came to press the submit button as I was told there were no changes. (I turned 70 recently). Tried a second time and it went through. Received my licence a few days later and then realised I had renewed it in advance a few months ago 🫣. Anyone need a licence? And yes I do know that I have to return one of them. You would have thought the computer would have said no to a second licence as I didn’t tick the box to say I had lost it. 🤷‍♀️

I am 82, surrendered my licence voluntarily last year. Prior to that I did it online with never a problem and my next licence usually arrived within 7 working days.

You only have to tell them you have diabetes if you are being treated with insulin. I just looked it up on their notes.

I am 79 and have renewed in the past with no difficulties. This time, I had to post the old licence with a photo. I also ticked the box to say I have Type 2 diabetes - maybe I didn't do this in the past and this has caused the problem.

I posted the licence and photo at the beginning of November and still don't have the new licence. Their website is a maze - trying to find an email address or phone number was really difficult. One tip - if you manage to find a phone number make a note of it, because you will probably never be able to find it on their website again.

One - very polite - man I spoke to confirmed they had received my old licence, then a few seconds later refused to confirm that they had received it. Very peculiar.

The latest is that I am now waiting to receive a medical questionnaire through the post, which I have to fill in and return. Lord only knows how long that will take and how long they will take to process the questionnaire.

They have, however, said I can continue to drive without a licence, because it is in the process of being renewed.

I posted the licence on 7 November 2025 - just how long can it take to do such a simple job? I'm losing the will to live.

I did the 70s one digitally at a post office which had a special photo kiosk. It came back almost return of post.They took all that out!?! So 73 one was done old-fashioned way with post and a stamp. Not return of post. Still waiting several weeks later.

I did mine for the second time on line a month ago. No problems took about 5 minutes and they used the photo from my recently renewed passport. I received my licence less than a week later