DRIVERS whose photocard licence or entitlement to drive was set to expire between February this year until December 31 have had them extended for 11 months.

The initial extension expired at the end of August but this has now been extended to the end of the year and means photocard licences or drivers' entitlement to drive will be lengthened by 11 months from the date of expiry.

Drivers do not therefore need to apply to renew their licence until they receive a reminder before their extension expires.

The temporary changes have been announced by the DVLA today, Tuesday, to help drivers financially amid the coronavirus crisis.

DVLA chief executive Julie Lennard said: "Being able to drive is a lifeline for millions of people and this further extension will ensure that in these continued uncertain times, drivers don’t need to worry about the admin or the associated costs with renewing their licences.

“The temporary extension is automatic, and drivers do not need to do anything.

"Drivers who have already applied to renew their photocard driving licence or entitlement to drive can usually carry on driving while we process their application providing they have not been told by their doctor or optician that they should not drive.”

The initial extension from the EU expired at the end of August and the DVLA has now agreed a further extension until the end of December.

If a driver applies to the DVLA to renew their photocard or their entitlement, they can continue to drive while DVLA is considering their application, providing they have not been told by their doctor or optician that they should not drive.

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