C1 licence renewal while abroad

frwjd

frwjd

Joined
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Ingleton, Carnforth, UK
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Rapido 7099F
Exp
Since 2020
I will be 70 in February 2024 and our vehicle is 3700kg.
We will be on a trip from August 2023 to April 2024.
I wondered if it was possible to renew my licence and C1 classification while we are travelling?

I know I can apply 3 months before the due date but even then we will be away.
Perhaps get a medical before we go or get one abroad?

Has anyone done this or anyone know the regulartions with regard to the timing of the medical?
Thanks.
 
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frwjd said:
I will be 70 in February 2024 and our vehicle is 3700kg.
We will be on a trip from August 2023 to April 2024.
I wondered if it was possible to renew my licence and C1 classification while we are travelling?

I know I can apply 3 months before the due date but even then we will be away.
Perhaps get a medical before we go or get one abroad?

Has anyone done this or anyone know the regulartions with regard to the timing of the medical?
Thanks.
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Interesting question. I don't know of a way round it because your whole licence expires. You can renew online but only the car element. Fly home for a week at xmas?
 
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I renewed mine 4 months early with. A letter explaining why kept my old licence with me as would abroad when applying and again when it was due to expired with a written understanding to destroy my old licence when new one arrived no problems doing so.
 
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Your licence must be physically in your possession when abroad.
Irrespective of weight.
 
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Apply now for the replacement, but if you are leaving in the next few weeks you may have left it too late.

Other option is to see if you can apply remotely, and get the doctors bit done now before you leave (and see if the doctor can post date the MOT)

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I live in Poland and renewed twice from here.

Any EU doctor can sign the D4 form.

You need to get the D2 and D4 forms before you leave.

The D4 medical can be dated up to 4 months before expiry but submission of application only up to 3 months before.

I wrote a covering letter explaining that I was retaining my existing licence for the reason Larby posted above.

The licence can only be posted to your UK address, so you need to arrange it to be forwarded to you.
 
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nicholsong said:
I live in Poland and renewed twice from here.

Any EU doctor can sign the D4 form.

You need to get the D2 and D4 forms before you leave.

The D4 medical can be dated up to 4 months before expiry but submission of application only up to 3 months before.

I wrote a covering letter explaining that I was retaining my existing licence for the reason Larby posted above.

The licence can only be posted to your UK address, so you need to arrange it to be forwarded to you.
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Excellent, many thanks 👍
 
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nicholsong said:
I live in Poland and renewed twice from here.

Any EU doctor can sign the D4 form.

You need to get the D2 and D4 forms before you leave.

The D4 medical can be dated up to 4 months before expiry but submission of application only up to 3 months before.

I wrote a covering letter explaining that I was retaining my existing licence for the reason Larby posted above.

The licence can only be posted to your UK address, so you need to arrange it to be forwarded to you.
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interesting Geoff, I didnt know that. I do wonder if DVLA will play ball though? they are difficult about everything these days, witnessed by the amount of Threads we've seen. Will you be in EU @frw?
 
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jongood said:
interesting Geoff, I didnt know that. I do wonder if DVLA will play ball though? they are difficult about everything these days, witnessed by the amount of Threads we've seen. Will you be in EU @frw?
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Yes, at that stage of the trip we should be in Italy. 🤞

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I can see that renewing abroad would be feasibly providing you have no medical issues but if you do DVLA may want a test such a treadmill stress test. I wonder what happens in that case?
 
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Thé way I see it although I am possibly wrong is your C1 will expire February 24. Whilst you wait for the DVLA to deliberate on your health query you will be able to drive in the UK up to 3500 but won’t be able to drive abroad. Due to no C1 or actual licence in your possession.
Seems like you are going to have some difficult decisions.
 
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I can and will apply for renewal 2 or 3 months before my current licence expires. I'd hope that is sufficient time to resolve any issues.
 
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Larby said:
Your licence must be physically in your possession when abroad.
Irrespective of weight.
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I meant that I kept my old licence physically in my possession as against sending it off with the application by the time I return to the UK hopefully my new one will be at home, destroy the old one and off toFrance we go. So at no time will my not be in my possession! But the renewal process can continue. Have done it twice now with no problems. Just send a polite letter to those lovely people at the DVLA and all should be well. I did phone and speak to someone before I did it the first time. When I recived the new one cut the old one up took photos of it all was well. Although you can still drive in the UK I think it’s section 88 that allows you to carry on as long as you have had your medical and all is ok. But not in the EU as stated your licence must be with you or it can have serious consequences.

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frwjd said:
I can and will apply for renewal 2 or 3 months before my current licence expires. I'd hope that is sufficient time to resolve any issues.
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I believe some people wait months for DVLA to deal with health queries. Supposing a treadmill test is booked first?
May be springtime or later. Then what?
I hope I am not a merchant of doom merely aware problems others have had. Luckily I have no problems with health.
All the best.
Good luck
 
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Larby said:
I believe some people wait months for DVLA to deal with health queries. Supposing a treadmill test is booked first?
May be springtime or later. Then what?
I hope I am not a merchant of doom merely aware problems others have had. Luckily I have no problems with health.
All the best.
Good luck
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Hopefully all goes well and frwjd , will get some idea whether the plan is going to work giving enough time to drive back before licence expires if DVLA don't play ball.

its a bit of a shame thst all this for 200kgs over when 165kgs extra doesnt really matter in UK and the chances of getting caught are pretty slim anyway.
 
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Larby said:
Thé way I see it although I am possibly wrong is your C1 will expire February 24. Whilst you wait for the DVLA to deliberate on your health query you will be able to drive in the UK up to 3500 but won’t be able to drive abroad. Due to no C1 or actual licence in your possession.
Seems like you are going to have some difficult decisions.
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The info DVLA gave me very recently was that under section 88 whilst they were considering my application I could continue to drive my entitlement (C1) in the UK even though my licence had expired. Section 88 does not apply abroad so to keep driving in the EU you must have a valid (in date) licence.
 
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Larby said:
I believe some people wait months for DVLA to deal with health queries. Supposing a treadmill test is booked first?
May be springtime or later. Then what?
I hope I am not a merchant of doom merely aware problems others have had. Luckily I have no problems with health.
All the best.
Good luck
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I applied 12/03/23 for my C1 renewal. My licence expired 28/03/23. They finally got around to requesting that I have a dopamine stress test 21/06/23, but only after I chased them. My licence was granted 29/06/23 and supposedly posted to me on that date. I'm still waiting for it to drop through our letter box. I can continue to drive in the UK but can't go abroad without the bit of plastic.
 
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It seems that it is possible to renew my driving licence whilst traveling abroad and that, if the worst happens, I'll have to set off home a few days before my birthday. Thanks! 👍🤞
 
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To make sure my licence was valid whilst I was abroad for 3 x months, I had to apply early for it, giving me a December expiry, as opposed to the usual March expiry, when I would still be away.

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
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