Post Office™ Articles

Licenses and Identifications: When to Renew?

Have you opened your wallet or purse lately? Have you noticed the amount of documents and personal identity cards in your possession? It can be overwhelming to keep track of renewing and replacing expired identity cards. And considering the cost and effort it takes to renew all of your personal belongings, it is important to make sure that you've got all of your documents covered and renewed on time.

Motoring and Your Documents

Your driver's license is, perhaps, the most important document in your purse or wallet. It contains your picture, your address, and allows you to be issued behind the wheel of a car in the UK. Were you aware of the perks and pitfalls of driver's license renewal? Consider the following list of renewals and fees before you travel to the motor department to renew your license:

• The cost of simply renewing your car, motorcycle, or moped is £45.00
• Always keep track of the exact date of renewal - people sometimes come in to early to renew their license
• If you are over age 70, your license renewal is free
• If you are renewing for medical reasons, your renewal fee is waived
• Replacing a lost or stolen license? The cost to replace the license is £22.00
• Want to add entitlement to a full license? That's covered by the UK department of motoring
• If you need to change your address on your license, you will have to turn over your old license

Technology Changes Everything

The UK Department of Motoring is trying to allow you to avoid those long line-ups at the department branch by applying and renewing online. You can replace your driving licence using the secure online service. With updated web graphics and a secure method of online payment, it is tremendously easier to update your license without having to leave the comfort of your home

Passport: Your Most Important Foreign Document

Other than your driver's license, your passport is the most important document you can have on your person when you are travelling overseas. Have you checked your passport recently? You can apply to renew your passport if:

• Your last passport was a standard 10-year passport
• You still have your last passport
• You don't need to change your name or national status
• You can renew your passport whenever you want and do not have to wait till your passport is expired to renew it
• When renewing, you still need to pay the full fee and no refund can be given for the unexpired time in the old passport
• Your passport is not damaged

Remember that passports often require a large amount of documents and back-up documents, so give yourself lots of time to renew the proper documentation. Don't leave your renewal until the last minute - there have been several cases where people simply can't travel to their destination because they didn't renew their passport in time.

Don't Forget These Other Documents

• Check your credit cards to see when they expire. Nothing is more embarrassing than having your credit card expire after an expensive meal!
• Make sure your photo identification is updated and accurate
• Don't always carry around these documents, put them some place in your home securely. If you lose any of these documents, remember, you'll have to go through the renewal process all over again!

Make sure you keep an up-to-date profile of your personal documents. They are the most important aspect of your identity and, if not properly renewed, can prevent you from accomplishing day-to-day tasks.

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