Yes. When I moved to change it was free of charge, but it doesn't 'renew' the license it just updates it, it's expiry remains the same. I originally allowed them to use the photo from my passport. So currently my license which was renewed in May last year but expires in April 2019 has a passport photo from 1993 on it. I look nothing like the photo on my drivers licence or my passport and both photos look like they're different people. When it expires it's another £20 fee, or £2 per year so nothing in the grand scheme of things. There is after all a cost associated with making the cards and administering the system. I'm ok to pay it if it helps to keep uninsured or unlicensed scum bags off the road as it's now so much harder for the aforementioned scum to masquerade as somebody else
Exactly. The police have access to this information but no one else does, so you could be a banned driver and still have and use your photo card to hire cars etc. my company insists on both parts being present and do an annual check. They have matching numbers. It's been known for people to get points before and not declare them by having an extra copy of their paper license...
I had two paper bits once when I lost the card bit and got a complete new set. But sadly no points to hide as I'm the worlds best driver at sporting speed trap cameras.
