Re: How many illegals on here? : Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:32 pm  

I have my pink licence (I think it was the first year they changed from the green). From a personal point of view I'm glad to hear its still valid, but having a licence which expires every now and then is a good thing IMO - especially if it enforces even a casual eyesight test.

What do you need for ID generally now in the UK? In Australia having a photo ID licence is actually a positive IMO, as its by far the most accepted form of identification (e.g. for opening a bank account etc). IIRC in England if photo ID was needed I'd have to dig out my passport. I've really never understood the hysteria in England about photo IDs.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:23 am  

Enicomb wrote:

I would have thought that's easier for you as it's different to standard and you're more than likely well aware? Even if you can't always remember the exact date or year, you'd have a rough idea, so simply check it every so often (that applies to anyone really).

That's my 2p worth on it anyway.

That and my company checks our licences every six months and we get reminders for stuff like this.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:02 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I have my pink licence (I think it was the first year they changed from the green). From a personal point of view I'm glad to hear its still valid, but having a licence which expires every now and then is a good thing IMO - especially if it enforces even a casual eyesight test.

What do you need for ID generally now in the UK? In Australia having a photo ID licence is actually a positive IMO, as its by far the most accepted form of identification (e.g. for opening a bank account etc). IIRC in England if photo ID was needed I'd have to dig out my passport. I've really never understood the hysteria in England about photo IDs.

Me neither.

My photo needs replacing in June. Considering it took them nearly 5 months to change my address on it, i best get moving.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:53 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I've really never understood the hysteria in England about photo IDs.

No, I've never understood it either. But then from working in shop, I never understood people who were really offended when you IDed them either.

[DaveO]

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:27 pm  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

What do you need for ID generally now in the UK? In Australia having a photo ID licence is actually a positive IMO, as its by far the most accepted form of identification (e.g. for opening a bank account etc). IIRC in England if photo ID was needed I'd have to dig out my passport. I've really never understood the hysteria in England about photo IDs.

I use my photo driving license as ID to pick mail up from the post office and buy foreign currency where some form of ID is required. Those are the two I can think of off the top of my head that occur fairly frequently where ID is required but it does nit need to be a passport. I am sure there are other day to day things we do where ID is asked for and the driving license works fine for those as well.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:34 pm  

DaveO wrote:

I use my photo driving license as ID to pick mail up from the post office and buy foreign currency where some form of ID is required. Those are the two I can think of off the top of my head that occur fairly frequently where ID is required but it does nit need to be a passport. I am sure there are other day to day things we do where ID is asked for and the driving license works fine for those as well.

Or a passport could be used. The "hysteria" was largely about being forced to pay extra for a card that could be used for ID, when plenty of other documents do the job just as well and we pay for those too.

[Kosh]

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:23 pm  

Chris28 wrote:

Or a passport could be used. The "hysteria" was largely about being forced to pay extra for a card that could be used for ID, when plenty of other documents do the job just as well and we pay for those too.

That and the fact that it was originally going to be compulsory not only to have one but also to carry one. And the amount of personal data that was going to be collected and stored alongside each one.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:34 pm  

Mine needed renewing last feb, but I have never got round to it.

I got a reminder sent through a month or two before, which just got filed and forgot about. I tried to get a hire car about 6 months ago which was refused due to an out of date licence, but I still haven't got round to it. Must do it this week.

I will miss the old photo of a much younger, slimmer version of me though.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:25 pm  

Attended a speed awareness course 2 weeks ago, and it was pointed out that my photo licence expired a few years ago. They also pointed out that a lot of insurance companies now use the fact that the licence has expired to knock back motor insurance claims!

So, first thing I did when I returned home was to renew! You can do it on line, think it was £20, and if you've renewed your passport within the last 5 years, it uses the same photo which they already have stored electronically. No fuss, really easy. New card (plus new paper licence) arrived 2 days later - great service.

Re: How many illegals on here? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:15 pm  

Stand-Offish wrote:

I have a paper one and I have never had a plastic one with a photo which might scare the horses under my bonnet.
I'll get one when someone writes to me or I commit a misdemeanor and have to have it endorsed and only then if they tell me to.

Who cares?
What's a grand to a rich lad like me?
I'd plead senility and get off with a slapped wrist anyway.


I clearly didn't realise I needed a plastic one as well, I just thought they would wait and let us old 'uns die off and the problem would sort itself.

If you've never had a photo licence, that is if you past your test prior to their issue, then there is no obligation to get one.