Renewing C1 timing question

[peterc10]

My C1 licence expires on 25 May 2024. This will be the 3rd time that I will go through this process and each previous time the licence was dated in such a way that I lost time on it, because it expired 3 years after the new licence was issued rather than 3 years from when the old one run out. So far I have lost about 2.5 months from when I turned 70. My wife dropped her C1 when she turned 70 and she just applies via the website a few weeks before her birthday and her licences always run out 3 years on her birthday, not the date of issue.

I understand that this is a timing issue on when I make an application. So could anybody please explain in simple terms what the window in which I should apply for it so that it will be dated until the 25 May 2027. Does it depend upon receipt or issue? I am assuming that I will have lost the 2.5 months for ever now, but just don't want to lose any more.

Many thanks for any help

 

[Lenny HB]

In theory between 56 to 90 days before it runs out as after 56 days i.e. 56 to or less you have to supply a new photo but not really a hardship you can take your own.
I said in theory as some people have lost time when applying 60 or 70 days before, I did mine early last year and it was fine.

If you are worried about it apply 3 or 4 weeks before & send a new photo.

 

[Pausim]

I applied 3 years ago in the 90 to 56 day window (no photo) and didn’t lose any time at all. I have done the same again this time but not yet seen the results.

 

[peterc10]

In theory between 56 to 90 days before it runs out as after 56 days i.e. 56 to or less you have to supply a new photo but not really a hardship you can take your own.
I said in theory as some people have lost time when applying 60 or 70 days before, I did mine early last year and it was fine.

If you are worried about it apply 3 or 4 weeks before & send a new photo.

Thanks Lenny. Renewed our passports a couple of weeks ago. Can they use the new photo on the passport? Do they always ask for new photos as I have never been asked before?

Can't do it 3 or 4 weeks before as I hope we will still be somewhere in France, Spain or Portugal. Will be back mid May. I am not going to send my old licence to them until we get the new one.

 

[Orion]

This is the official response I received from the DVLA when I questioned why I’d lost 2 months validity on my licence because I’d submitted it for renewal too early:

You will lose whatever period of validity on a licence if you apply, and the application is processed, more than 56 days before the expiry date. This is because the DVLA treat any application made before the 56 day period as an ‘independent application’ and the licence renews for 3 years exactly from that date irrespective of when it was originally due to expire.

Some may have been lucky and not been docked any time by sending their application in before the 56 day cutoff, or perhaps it wasn’t processed until later, but if you want to avoid any chance of it occurring, then do as Lenny HB suggests and keep to the 56 day limit.

I never sent my licence in with the application as I was going to be abroad at the time and they’ve never requested it.

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[peterc10]

This is the official response I received from the DVLA when I questioned why I’d lost 2 months validity on my licence because I’d submitted it for renewal too early:

You will lose whatever period of validity on a licence if you apply, and the application is processed, more than 56 days before the expiry date. This is because the DVLA treat any application made before the 56 day period as an ‘independent application’ and the licence renews for 3 years exactly from that date irrespective of when it was originally due to expire.

Some may have been lucky and not been docked any time by sending their application in before the 56 day cutoff, or perhaps it wasn’t processed until later, but if you want to avoid any chance of it occurring, then do as Lenny HB suggests and keep to the 56 day limit.

I never sent my licence in with the application as I was going to be abroad at the time and they’ve never requested it.

The PO's explanation is not the same as Lenny's. He suggests that you need to get it in earlier than 56 days before, not later, to keep the same expiry date. And it contradicts what actually happened to me for the last 2 applications, where I submitted much later than the 56 day point and yet I still lost the time on my my licence. It seems to be yet another example of the people in the DVLA making up their own "rules" as they go along.

 

[Lenny HB]

Pot luck then Peter, better work on the theory the later you apply for it the less you have to lose.

On my first time at 70, 2020 due to Covid they took about 8 weeks to process it and I gained 1½ months, my birthday is the end of May, licence started mid July.

 

[Littlewheels]

I am a bit lost with all the different takes on this in October l will be going for my 4th renewal,l have minor health issues so it always a nightmare because of the beurocratic way they operate but despite the need to contact my doctor or a request for further information regarding my health when l get my license it’s dated to expire exactly three years later.
Any period lost is only lost to my situation if l need to travel abroad which you are not supposed to do and in theory cannot if you have sent your licence back with the application as requested or applied for a new licence previous to new application so you have a copy of your old valid licence as it were.

 

[Bessy765]

What I did the first time I applied I sent a covering letter explaining I had not enclosed my current licence as I would be leaving for France so needed to carry it as required in France and would be back in the UK 2 days before my current licence expires, but undertook to return my old licence on receipt of the new on. The new licence arrived dated from when the old one ran out.

 

[Orion]

The PO's explanation is not the same as Lenny's. He suggests that you need to get it in earlier than 56 days before, not later, to keep the same expiry date. And it contradicts what actually happened to me for the last 2 applications, where I submitted much later than the 56 day point and yet I still lost the time on my my licence. It seems to be yet another example of the people in the DVLA making up their own "rules" as they go along.

Did you query it with them at the time then?

I did, twice, and received the written response I quoted above on both occasions. It’s also mirrored by the motoring organisations who advise against sending the application before the 56 day cutoff as it will otherwise be treated as that ‘independent application’ and renew from the date of processing.

Agree that the DVLA are full of contradictions though - look at the ‘van with windows’ ongoing issues!

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[peterc10]

Did you query it with them at the time then?

No, at the time I assumed it was what was supposed to happen. But since then have seen suggestions otherwise.

 

[peterc10]

My problem is I will be away in Europe until a couple of weeks before the licence runs out. I suppose I could get it all sorted out just before I left and then post it as soon as I get back. Can anybody advise how quick the DVLA's turn around is nowadays assuming that the Doc gives me the all clear? Also how long does the D4 remain valid after signing please?

 

[Orion]

The completed D4 is valid for 4 months.

You could complete the application and get a friend or relative to post it off to the DVLA say 3 to 4 weeks before expiry?

 

[Lenny HB]

Mine and my wife's took about 10 working days last year.

 

[kev54]

Mine was due on 70th birthday in March coming. No medical issues; happy to relinquish C1; photo not required as that was renewed only 3 years ago. Applied online soon after the 90-day reminder - on 22nd December - new licence arrived on 28th! Date continued from March birthday. My wife’s 73rd due same month, applied between Christmas and NY and new licence arrived in first week of January. The form did say the old licence should be sent to DVLA but no verification was required - so we just cut them up. Lucky, I guess?

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[Pausim]

I applied 3 years ago in the 90 to 56 day window (no photo) and didn’t lose any time at all. I have done the same again this time but not yet seen the results.

I can now confirm that applying in the 90 to 56 day window without sending a new photo has not changed my renewal date or lost any time. New licence starts 24 Jan and expires 28 Feb the day before my birthday. This is the second time I have used this 34 day period without loss of time or change of renewal date.

As a separate matter I have only been given a 2 years + 1 month licence but this was expected. My last treadmill stress test was 2023 following my heart attack and they want these repeated at least every 3 years. Suits me fine I have already ordered a new van, the stress test is not something I intend to repeat.