DVLA helpful hint
Rather than doing mine on line, or by post, i went to my local post office (it has to be a main post office)
All you need is your old photo licence card... they fill in the correct forms, take your photo in the post office photo machine and send it off for you.
They say "about 10 days" ... i got mine back in 4 days
Total cost £21.50 as opposed to £14 if you do it online, £17 if you renew by post.