Ruddy hell, how old are you I still got my pink paper copy from 1973.If you have only got a paper licence are they going to make you pay for the card type?
I think it was free because it is compulsory to renew your licence when you are old and decrepit. I'm not sure, probably for the same reason .
I had to renew my card photo licence, I think it was because it was 10 years old it cost £20 plus £5 for a new photo, the one before was when I moved address but I think that was free?