A very valid question Pinkus. The reason is probably because the regulations require ALL records of your application to be destroyed once the card has expired. Privacy legislation etc. Also your ID documents only go as far as the issuing body to which you make the application. So regardless of whether you apply to the same issuing body or a different one. Each time they have to establish your ID using valid (read in date) documentation such as passport , drivers licence etc, All of which have an expiry date.