As I recall the CAA did not send out reminders at the end of the first 5 years of JAR to the holders of the first issued JAA-PPLs. There were quite a few who forgot/weren't aware they had to renew them. Possibly made worse as the SEP(L) class rating that most of them had would have been revalidated or renewed at the end of years 2, 4 and 6, but none of them had much reason to show their licence to an examiner around the end of year five. There were a few complaints made and the CAA do now seem to be issuing reminders from what I hear. Whether you think that's because they were being helpful and did not wish people to be inadvertently flying illegally, or they realised they were missing out on some fees, which they could ensure they got for the cost of a letter.
