For those of us renewing licences at 70

[Peter 1955]

4 minutes ago, Mesterh said:

Ha, I remember seeing that I could drive those vehicles on my paper license and laughing too!

 

Dont quote me on this but I remember from a long time ago someone saying that when you update your paper license to a card you loose certain privileges, the B+E was one of them until you took another test.

Probably no help and probably misinformation by me but I hope it helps.🤘

 

Looks like it's the Minibus/7.5T category that needs a supplementary form and medical. B+E seems safe. 

[openspaceman]

Take a picture of your current paper licence showing your entitlements, there is a story of a police motorcyclist who lost his A entitlement when he changed from paper licence to picture card and there was nothing he could do about it other than take the test again, apocryphal or not.

[Peter 1955]

10 hours ago, openspaceman said:

Take a picture of your current paper licence showing your entitlements, there is a story of a police motorcyclist who lost his A entitlement when he changed from paper licence to picture card and there was nothing he could do about it other than take the test again, apocryphal or not.

Good advice. I would if I could, but my paper licence is nowhere to be found. ☹️ The good news is that I have no entitlements other than what I got when I passed my car test all those years ago, so nothing at risk, hopefully. I have heard of the officer's problems, and believe them to be true, though I have no evidence. 

[Treewolf]

If you are a similar age to me and passed your test in the same era as me (the 1970s) you will have B+E, C1, and C1+E through "grandfather rights". These will (at least should) endure as long as you have a licence, so as you start to have to renew periodically and self-certify fitness you should keep these automatically. The C1 category is the one that allows you to drive up to 7.1/2 ton vehicles, which used to be allowed on the standard "car licence".

 

If, like me, you also have C and C+E as vocational categories, i.e., you did the HGV test, you will need to renew then every 5 years from (I think) age 45 and annually from 65. To renew, you need a medical certifice from a GP. They will not renew automatically.

 

I am told (and perhaps someone here can confirm) that if you do not renew your C/C+E and allow them to lapse, you can reactivate them later, after the lapse, by getting a medical and reapplying without the need for any testing etc. 

[Muddy42]

13 hours ago, Peter 1955 said:

Well, no. Currently, I can drive a 7.5 Tonner. Unless I take a medical, and fill in a supplementary form, I won't be able to shortly. Not a big deal, as long as I can still put the trailer behind my van, I'm happy enough. 

 

You should have B+E AND the Cs on your current licence.  If you passed at a time when these were issued (and I think you did) these are all grandfathered.  Keep bashing away at the DVLA about what you want to keep, they will give in eventually.

[Peter 1955]

1 hour ago, Muddy42 said:

 

You should have B+E AND the Cs on your current licence.  If you passed at a time when these were issued (and I think you did) these are all grandfathered.  Keep bashing away at the DVLA about what you want to keep, they will give in eventually.

While I know you're correct, and while we all know that fifty years ago these were automatically granted, sadly I don't have the paper licence to prove it. I don't expect to need to drive a 7.5t vehicle, so I can accept the loss. Thanks for your input, I agree totally.