The requirements to revalidate the SEP rating are to complete the 12 hours etc etc and the 1 hour flight with an instructor in the 12 months prior to presenting yourself to the examminer for signateure
It does not have to be within the 2nd year.
The examminer can only sign your licence while the rating is still valid.
If you present yourself to the examminer during the last 3 months of rating validity then the new validity period will run from the expiry date of the original.
If you present yourself prior to the 3 month window then the rating will run from the date that you get the licence signed.
If you do not get the rating signed prior to the expiry of the rating or if you have not got the required experience then you complete a proficiency check with an examiner who will then sign the licence.
In the UK you do not have to contact the CAA to arrange a test/check - just find yourself an examminer - most clubs can recomend one - and make the arrangements yourself.
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This whole "must be done in the last year" bull causes far too much cobfusion and pushes people who may only fly once per month into trying to get a signature at the last minute when that simply don't have to wait.
Regards,
DFC