Because of my age I have just had to renew my driving license. I took out my first about 1958, and since then have two speeding convictions, one for doing 48mph between Whitefield and Bury in 1959 (at 01:00 in the morning, followed by a policeman in a Humber Hawk !) and one for doing 40mph in Kabwe, Zambia, about 1970 (radar trap, over-reading by 10mph, they said I was doing 50, but I knew it was 40).
Anyhow, I had to provide a passport photograph in full colour, full face on and no expression. The result, apart from frightening the children, frightens me too. When the license arrived it had on the original photo, half profile and black and white.
Reading the description of the new card is interesting.
A. It says that Feature 10 on the card, ?? is similar to a hologram but more clear as it has definite lines and brilliant colours. ?It contains a steering wheel that appears to turn as you tilt the card??.
SWMBO and I agree that the wheel is barely discernable and what can be seen doesn?t rotate.
B. Feature 18 on the rear of the card is a picture again of a steering wheel, but changes colour from green to gold as you tilt the card.
I discern it changing from gold to brown, but SWMBO thinks that it has could vaguely described as green-ish.
The driver number, Feature 5, is definitely non-PC because it discriminates against women. Firstly, it shouldn?t make any difference, secondly, it adds 5 to the woman?s date of birth.
Most irritating, it is valid only for three years.
Edited by PoloGirl on 16/10/2008 at 21:20
|
Presumably you've lived at the same address for many years, and to your credit you've kept a clean sheet, so therefore you've never had to renew before. Count your blessings; those of us with vocational (HGV and PSV) licences have to renew ours , and go through a medical, at five-yearly intervals. Impending legislation means that we will also have to undergo on-the-job "training" in order to keep our licences. More employment for the Hi-Viz and clipboard brigade.
Edited by Pugugly on 11/10/2008 at 19:55
|
|
I assume you've lost category C1 (driving vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes), and now just have category C (up to 3.5 tonnes)?
|
|
Why would the OP have lost C1?
|
Why would the OP have lost C1?
When you turn age 70 and renew, you are asked if you want to keep C1 and also motorcycle I think. If you don't tick the box you lose the entitlement.
Since most people are retired at that age it's not normally a problem, but I do know of a farmer who didn't read the form properly and consequently lost the entitlement, which stopped him driving his cattle lorry. Mind you he was nearly 80!
Problem is that once you lose the entitlement it's hell's own job to get it put back on.
Marlot, category C is for LGV's OVER 3.5 tonnes, without trailer.
Edited by Harleyman on 11/10/2008 at 23:16
|
Marlot category C is for LGV's OVER 3.5 tonnes without trailer.
Oops yes, you're right.
|
|
|
|
|
I have categories A, B,BE, B1, f, k, l, n, p.
|
A fellow biker!
C1 covers 7.5t light goods, D1 covers minibuses, both of which were given to people who passed their tests before 1997.
There are a few caravan people (mainly drivers of larger motorhomes) who are having a sudden shock at 70, when they lose their entitlement. Keeping it requires a medical - I think to the same standard as the big truckers.
|
|
|
those of us with vocational (HGV and PSV) licences have to renew ours and go through a medical at five-yearly intervals. >>
Some of us have to go through a medical annually.
A,B,BE,B1,f,k,l,n,p
Edited by drbe on 12/10/2008 at 09:07
|
Some of us have to go through a medical annually. A B BE B1 f k l n p
>>
Presume you mean that you either
a) Hold an HGV licence and are over 65
or
b) Have a medical condition which requires annual assessment?
I've said this before, but I firmly believe that over-70's should renew their licences every three years with an eyesight test as a condition of the licence. Most bikers will know what "SMIDSY" means and sadly it's ofter true of older drivers whose sight has deteriorated but who don't (or sometimes won't) do anything about it.
|
Sorry to bump this up again but I received my third plastic licence today after changing my address and it's one of the new style ones.
The steering wheel on the back goes from orange to green to blue/black - bit worrying if you can't make that out!
I'm a bit confused though...
I now have some random letters in italics underneath the bit that says I can drive a car and a little van. Anyone know what fkp might mean?
The issue date on my new licence is 14/10/08, but the expiry date is only 15/07/14. I thought they were meant to be valid for ten years. I have no medical conditions or anything that means I need to reapply more often.
Is it worth phoning them to see if it's a mistake or have I missed some announcement about something happening in 2014?
|
|
That must be the expected rollout of teh uber-ID card scheme.
|
|
|
The date for validity is based on how old the photo is I think. So changing the address gives you a new license but at ten years the photo needs changing. I assume you got your first photo license on 15/07/2004?
I think I missed the outcome of sorting the flat out (problem with walls?). And now you've moved so we'll never know.
|
Ah... yes that might make sense. I think I got my first plastic licence around 2004.
I'm in the place with the cracks still, only just got around to changing my address a year after moving in. The property still isn't signed off because they never turned up to do the inspection so came and did some work based on a list I gave them. To be fair to them, the cracks they patched up have not come back, and they did a really good job with the creaking floorboards, but I've no intention of signing to say I'm happy until one of their building people has actually come and done the inspection they're meant to do.
Currently my flat is the only one not to have had a leak in the kitchen and bathroom, so the longer this goes on with them still responsible for putting things right, the better in my eyes. A couple of roof tiles fell off a couple of weeks ago, and the building itself is only 18 months old!
Apart from that it's all fine, thanks for asking!
|
|
|
|
Lower case italics so I thought provisional entitlement but maybe not? Anyway:
f = Agricultural tractors
k = Mowing machines
p = Mopeds
I think I also have l and n too so can add:
l = Electric vehicles (is that a Prius?)
n = Vehicles used for very short distances on public roads
Edited by rtj70 on 16/10/2008 at 21:42
|
|
|
|
|
|
