UK licence holders have been granted a 7 month extension on their photocard driving licence if it was due to expire between 1 February and 31 August 2020.
The 7 month extension runs from the date of expiry and according to DVLA, "will help drivers to make necessary journeys without having to obtain a new photograph to renew their licence." Normally drivers and riders are required to renew their photocard licence every 10 years (with bus and lorry drivers having to renew every 5 years) with an updated photograph. The extension comes about as a result of a new EU regulation has been introduced which means photocards that expire between 1 February and 31 August 2020 will be automatically extended for a further 7 months from the date of expiry.
Drivers should be sent a reminder to renew before their 7 month extension ends, however it is worth remembering that the responsibility to ensure the licence is renewed lies with the driver, and reminders can go astray. This extension applies to the photocard only. If a driver’s entitlement to drive is due to expire and they wish to continue to hold a valid licence, they will need to renew this entitlement in the normal way. The full DVSA statement on the extension can be found here.
It does not mention whether this extension is in any way related to how many of us now look after months away from barbers and hairdressers...