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Proof of Age for Northern Explorer 55 Ranger

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Karl

Karl

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I'd like to make use of Northern's Explorer 55 ranger offer but it requires proof of age. My Passport expired in 1999 and my driving licence is a tattered worn out green paper from the same era. Would these be acceptable as proof of age? (Apart from my wrinkles?!!)

Is there any other way to prove my age I could use?
 
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AlterEgo

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I'd hope an expired passport would be fine - if you look over 55 (sorry) I should hope there wouldn't be an issue...but it is Northern.
 
hooverboy

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Karl said:
I'd like to make use of Northern's Explorer 55 ranger offer but it requires proof of age. My Passport expired in 1999 and my driving licence is a tattered worn out green paper from the same era. Would these be acceptable as proof of age? (Apart from my wrinkles?!!)

Is there any other way to prove my age I could use?
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you really ought to renew your driving licence ae least.

Theoretically it is still valid,but there are certainly places now which will not accept a paper counterfoil as adequate proof.

as for out of date passports,that's also a bit iffy.
the photo on them is signed for "as a true likeness", and peoples faces change over time, so that is not necessarily accurate 10+ years later.

if neither of these is available then use your birth certificate, or something that has been notarised(wedding certificate would suffice as a registrar is also officialdom)..and cover that with a bank statement/council letter with your full name+ residence
 
krus_aragon

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On one level, if you're old enough to still have a paper driving license, you're probably old enough to be entitled to a senior railcard... :)
 
Karl

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Good points @hooverboy

I don't drive these days so I've no real need for an updated licence.

My passport photo was taken in 1989 when I was 29. I'm now 59 so the likeness is a little iffy! :) Plus I've no intention of travelling abroad again. My last venture overseas was Norway in 1991.

My birth certificate is long lost :(

I just can't think of any other way of proving my age unless I apply for a copy of my birth certificate? It seems a bit of an effort just to buy a 55 Northern Ticket.

I think I'll just try using my paper licence and cross my fingers. (I'm actually quite proud of still having it, and it's clean too) I'm sure it'll suffice.
 
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thejuggler

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Your licence is still valid to the date it expires. I had a paper licence up until last year and never had a problem using it for ID.
 
hexagon789

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Karl said:
Good points @hooverboy

I don't drive these days so I've no real need for an updated licence.

My passport photo was taken in 1989 when I was 29. I'm now 59 so the likeness is a little iffy! :) Plus I've no intention of travelling abroad again. My last venture overseas was Norway in 1991.

My birth certificate is long lost :(

I just can't think of any other way of proving my age unless I apply for a copy of my birth certificate? It seems a bit of an effort just to buy a 55 Northern Ticket.

I think I'll just try using my paper licence and cross my fingers. (I'm actually quite proud of still having it, and it's clean too) I'm sure it'll suffice.
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Not sure if it helps, but for Age Restricted Sales in shops/supermarkets and out-of-date passport or driving licence is still acceptable as proof of age, so logically the same principle should apply to the railways.
 
Haywain

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DaleCooper said:
When you qualify for a bus pass that will be a photocard, of course you'll need to prove your age. Vicious circle.
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That doesn't help the OP just now, as he will have 7 or 8 years to wait to qualify for a bus pass based on age.
 
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Djgr

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You really do need to invest in something to prove your age. I'm surprised that you have survived "off-grid" for so long. It sounds to me that the cheapest most effective approach would be to get a replacement driving licence incorporating a photo.
 
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geoffk

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Digressing slightly, I've always found it surprising that a Senior Railcard doesn't require photo ID.
 
NORMAN471

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AlterEgo said:
I'd hope an expired passport would be fine - if you look over 55 (sorry) I should hope there wouldn't be an issue...but it is Northern.
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I'm 59 also and have purchased three of these tickets without proof of age when doing so. No one has ever asked for proof of age when checking the tickets. Having a beard probably helps but I have never ever had trouble proving my age since I was 18. Maybe wear a flat cap and spectacles or a balaclava perhaps. You could try buying the ticket the day before travelling and see what response you get. Good luck anyway.
 
Elecman

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Djgr said:
You really do need to invest in something to prove your age. I'm surprised that you have survived "off-grid" for so long. It sounds to me that the cheapest most effective approach would be to get a replacement driving licence incorporating a photo.
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Why, you need to buy a replacement every 10 years by law. precisely the reason why I still have my Green Licence and no intention of changing it. Similarly I don’t have a valid passport as I don’t travel abroad. I have great fun tying Banks and building societies in knots when they demand photo ID. They are flummoxed when I point out it isnt a legal requirement in this country to have photo ID. Usually results in phone calls to head office and me getting what I want
!!
 
Llanigraham

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Djgr said:
You really do need to invest in something to prove your age. I'm surprised that you have survived "off-grid" for so long. It sounds to me that the cheapest most effective approach would be to get a replacement driving licence incorporating a photo.
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And a copy of his birth certificate!
They can be obtained quite easily and cheaply
 
Karl

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Thanks for all the tips chaps.

I've looked up the cost of a replacement driving licence and at £77.60 when I've no intention of driving again it's out of the question. https://dvlalicenceapply.co.uk/exchange-paper-licence-for-a-photo-card

I'll be entitled to a Senior railcard next year at £30 for 12 months. Fair enough. I'm not sure how old I have to be to qualify for a bus pass.

I've not been abroad since 1991 so a new passport is pointless.

The best option seems to be a copy of my birth certificate.

£15 for a Northern Explorer 55 Ranger is just the ticket (pun intended!) I'm looking for.

Thanks again for all your help.
 
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transmanche

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Elecman said:
I have great fun tying Banks and building societies in knots when they demand photo ID. They are flummoxed when I point out it isnt a legal requirement in this country to have photo ID.
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If the government gets its way, soon you won't be allowed to vote in GB if you don't have photo ID.
 
transmanche

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Karl said:
I'm not sure how old I have to be to qualify for a bus pass.
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In England, it's when you reach the state pension age for women (whether you are male or female). I think that's currently about 65.5 years.

I don't know if the other nations use the same formula or not. (TfL gives a similar benefit with an 'Over 60s Oyster Card' for those aged over 60 but under state pension age.)
 
Haywain

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transmanche said:
In England, it's when you reach the state pension age for women (whether you are male or female). I think that's currently about 65.5 years.
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For someone currently aged 61 the bus pass becomes available at age 66. For the OP it could be at age 68.
 
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Djgr

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Karl said:
Thanks for all the tips chaps.

I've looked up the cost of a replacement driving licence and at £77.60 when I've no intention of driving again it's out of the question. https://dvlalicenceapply.co.uk/exchange-paper-licence-for-a-photo-card

I'll be entitled to a Senior railcard next year at £30 for 12 months. Fair enough. I'm not sure how old I have to be to qualify for a bus pass.

I've not been abroad since 1991 so a new passport is pointless.

The best option seems to be a copy of my birth certificate.

£15 for a Northern Explorer 55 Ranger is just the ticket (pun intended!) I'm looking for.

Thanks again for all your help.
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The site you quote is a SCAM site. It is not the official government one and the real cost is closer to £20.
 
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tom73

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Elecman said:
Why, you need to buy a replacement every 10 years by law. precisely the reason why I still have my Green Licence and no intention of changing it. Similarly I don’t have a valid passport as I don’t travel abroad. I have great fun tying Banks and building societies in knots when they demand photo ID. They are flummoxed when I point out it isnt a legal requirement in this country to have photo ID. Usually results in phone calls to head office and me getting what I want
!!
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True, but any organisation providing a service has the legal right to include a requirement for photo ID in its Terms of Service in the same way your bank can close your account without giving you any reason, because they have included that dubious right in their Terms of Service.
I had cause to make a formal complaint to NatWest about confidentiality concerns. Despite 12 years with the bank, their "response" to my complaint was to close my account. The Ombudsman couldn't do anything because a bank state in writing that they can close your account at any time if they choose to do so.
 
hooverboy

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Karl said:
Thanks for all the tips chaps.

I've looked up the cost of a replacement driving licence and at £77.60 when I've no intention of driving again it's out of the question. https://dvlalicenceapply.co.uk/exchange-paper-licence-for-a-photo-card

I'll be entitled to a Senior railcard next year at £30 for 12 months. Fair enough. I'm not sure how old I have to be to qualify for a bus pass.

I've not been abroad since 1991 so a new passport is pointless.

The best option seems to be a copy of my birth certificate.

£15 for a Northern Explorer 55 Ranger is just the ticket (pun intended!) I'm looking for.

Thanks again for all your help.
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are you sure?

driving licence exchange should be either free or a nominal fee of £5 or something(check the details). It needs doing anyway if you happen to change address , have additional categories added,or change marital status.

Application for a new one will cost the figure you quoted.
 
Karl

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Marital status for a driving licence? I wasn't aware of that.

As I've no intention of driving again surely I don't need an updated licence. I'm not understanding.
 
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