Changes to driving licence fees were implemented from 16th May 2008. The �17.50 fee for photocard licence renewals, as part of the 10-year validity cycle to ensure the currency of images shown on photocard licences is maintained, came just ahead of the first issue (1998) of photocard licences reaching expiration in July.
It is still free to update your name or address but replacements for other reasons incur the fees highlighted here...