Expat Car insurance for the UK is proving to be impossible

[QRM]

Too make renewing even more painful you can't do it online UNLESS you have a passport that has been issued within the last 5 years. Mine was older than that so the had to send the hard copy of the form to a UK address, I used a mail forwarding firm like citibox. You then have to send it back, send it to a chum who then posts it locally. ( just incase an airmail.Sg stamp raises a red flag.) you must give them a local address. The whole process took about 2 -3 months.

BUT there was one paragraph in the online form that would make me think twice: because if they get wind of your non resident status according to another firum they will hold your old licence and not give you a new one.

Personal data
If you apply online you are agreeing that DVLA can check your personal data, including your National Insurance number.

DVLA will confirm your details with the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs.

[Beeroclock]

1. The new Photocard licence has an expiry date unlike the original paper licence that last forever. Mine just recently expired.

2. Do not give an overseas address when you re new your plastic licence as they will void the old one and not issue a new one unless you reside in the the UK. Apparently if you no longer reside in the UK you should in theory return your licence.

I think mine recently expired too, so I should post it back to DVLA? Do you know if there is any fine or consequence of not doing so? Many thanks

Sorry should've clarified I don't want to renew. Happy for it to expire as I have converted to SG license. But am I still required to return this photo card or can have it as a keepsake?

[QRM]

You can always say you lost it or you did post it back? No harm in trying to keep an overseas licence running, always handy when you get pulled over and you hand over another country licence, normally the police will just tell you to move on as they don't want to deal with the red tape.

Going back to my original post looks like I am back to square one, turns out I can not get a tax disc using the temporary insurance. So still cant figure out how to " legally" drive my own car in the UK!

I got a lovely original mini copper ( must be the lowest millage classic mini out there? only 3000 miles on the clock) coming out of storage in a months time and I can only look at it!

Looks like I have to bite the bullet and stick it under my mothers name and I will be the named driver.

[Travailes]

Dont know why you are having a problem with insurance. I own a car back in the UK on which I'm insured (along with my sister and BIL) which I drive when I go home. They know I am a non-resident but never been an issue re insurance. In fact, just renewed for another year. Maybe you're trying mainstream insurers ? Try specialist brokers - mine is with Mannings on a classic car limited annual mileage policy.