Renew your:
- full driving licence
- provisional driving licence
You’ll need a valid UK passport to renew your licence online with DVLA.
There’s a different way to:
- renew your licence if you’re 70 or over
- renew a 5-year bus or lorry licence
- renew a short-term medical driving licence
You’ll need to apply for your first provisional licence if:
- you’ve never applied for a provisional licence before
- you applied for a provisional licence before 1 March 1973
This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Renew online
Your new licence will be valid from the date your application is approved, not from the expiry date of your current licence.
Start now on driving licensing online
Contents
- More information
- Other ways to apply
You cannot apply online if your name or title has changed.
You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years - you’ll receive a reminder before your current licence ends.
What you need
To renew online, you need:
- a valid UK passport
- to be a resident of Great Britain - there’s a different service in Northern Ireland
- to pay £14 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card (there’s no fee if you’re over 70 or have a medical short period licence)
- addresses of where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
- your current driving licence (if you do not have your licence you must say why in your application)
- your National Insurance number (if you know it)
- to not be disqualified from driving
How long it takes
Your driving licence should arrive within a week if you apply online.
You must send your old photocard licence to DVLA when you get your new licence. You’ll be told the address to use when you finish the application.
Personal data
DVLA will send you a confirmation email once you’ve applied. You might be asked to take part in research by email, but you can opt out.
Apply at a Post Office
You’ll get a reminder letter in the post. Take it to a Post Office that deals with DVLA photocard licence renewal.
You also need to take:
- your photocard licence if you have it
- the £21.50 fee
If you do not have a reminder letter, you’ll need your photocard licence to apply at the Post Office.
You cannot apply at the Post Office if your name has changed. You’ll need to apply by post.
Apply by post
Get a ‘D1 pack’ of forms from a Post Office that deals with DVLA photocard renewal or vehicle tax.
You need to include these things with your completed forms:
- a recent passport type photo (do not sign the back of the photo)
- your current photocard licence, if you have it
- a cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA (no fee is needed if you have a medical short period licence or you’re aged 70 or over)
You also need to include identity documents if you’ve changed your name.
Send the application to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DH
How long it takes
Your driving licence should arrive within 3 weeks. It might take longer if your medical or personal details need to be checked.
After you apply at a Post Office or by post
You can continue driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive.
FAQs
What do you need to renew UK driving licence? ›
You need to include these things with your completed forms: a recent passport type photo (do not sign the back of the photo) your current photocard licence, if you have it. a cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA (no fee is needed if you have a medical short period licence or you're aged 70 or over)
How long do you have to renew your UK driver's license after it expires? ›If more than two years has passed since your driving licence expired, you may be made to retake your driving test in order to get a new licence. This is especially the case if your licence has expired due to age (driving licences need to be renewed when you reach seventy years of age) or for medical reasons.
Can I renew my driving licence online without a UK passport? ›If you want to renew your driving licence online, you need to have a valid British passport. There are also other exclusions that apply and you won't be able to go ahead renewing your licence online if: You have changed your name- you will need to apply by post. You are trying to renew your 5 year bus or lorry licence.
How much does it cost to renew your driving licence? ›How to renew your driving licence. It will cost you a total of £21.50 (including DVLA fees) to renew your driving licence. Capture your signature and even submit a change of address if applicable. The DVLA charges £17 to renew your driving licence.
Do I need a photo to renew my driving licence online? ›The DVLA will use your current passport photo for your new licence if you have a digital passport. If you don't want the DVLA to use this photo or they can't use it, you'll need to send a photo in the post. If your name or title has changed, you won't be able to renew your licence online.
Do I need a new photo to renew my driving licence? ›If you have a photocard licence, you will need to send a new passport-type photo with your application form. If you have a paper licence, you will need to send an up-to-date passport-type photo with your application.
What happens if I forget to renew my driving licence UK? ›If your driving licence has expired, you could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000. New driving licences are initially granted for 10 years. Although the DVLA will send you a reminder letter before your driving licence expires, it is your responsibility to ensure that your driving licence is valid.
Can I still drive if my licence has expired UK? ›No. You must wait for the DVLA to reissue you with a new driving licence before you can start driving again. My last licence entitled me to drive lorries/ buses. It has expired and I am now only applying for a licence to drive a car.
Can I still drive if my photocard has expired? ›The expiry date of your photocard licence is shown on the front of the photocard at section 4b. If your licence has expired, you should not drive until you have applied to renew the licence. Although the DVLA routinely send out reminders to drivers, it is not a defence to say that you did not receive a reminder.
Is it easy to renew driving licence online? ›Renewing online is easier and quicker than paper – there's no fiddling about with forms or postage. If you apply online, your licence should arrive within one week. It's also free!
Why can't I renew my driving licence Online UK? ›
Some drivers will not be able to renew their over-70s driving licence online. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has confirmed to HonestJohn.co.uk that some drivers who are applying to renew their driving licence as they turn 70 will not be able to apply online.
Do you need a countersignature for UK passport renewal online? ›Do you need a countersignature? The majority of people will be fine to submit their passport photos without a countersignature in the case of a renewal. However, there are occasions when you may need to enlist a person to authorise your identity.
Do I have to send my old driving licence back to DVLA? ›If you no longer want to drive you should return your licence to us at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB.
Can I drive while waiting for my licence renewal? ›The DVLA says if your licence expires while it is processing your renewal application, you should be able to continue driving as long as you meet certain conditions, including only driving vehicles you were entitled to drive on your previous licence, not being told by a doctor or optician that you shouldn't drive, and ...
Do you get a reminder to renew your driving licence? ›The DVLA will send you a reminder that your licence is due for renewal, much like the V11 is sent to remind you about road tax. Just like the V11, though, you shouldn't be dependent on this letter as being your only reminder. Take a note of your licence's expiry date, and keep on top of your renewal application.
What do I need to bring with me for driving licence renewal? ›No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre in person. All you need is the following: A Public Services Card and verified MyGovID. Proof of your address dated within the last six months if your current address differs from the one you provided when you applied for your PSC.
Can DVLA use my passport photo? ›DVLA will get the photo and signature for your new driving licence from your passport. If this is not possible you will not be able to change your photo online.
What photos are required for drivers licence renewal? ›- your current driving licence card,
- your ID,
- 2 black and white or colour ID photographs if you're renewing your licence before the expiry date of your current licence or two photographs if you're renewing your licence after the expiry date, and.
- a proof of address not older than 3 months.
However, if your licence has expired more than ten years, you will have to sit another theory test, apply for a learner permit, take any mandatory training and pass another driving test. You can renew your expired licence online, as normal, or book an appointment to attend an NDLS centre in person.
How long does it take for a replacement driving license to arrive UK? ›Your driving licence should arrive in 3 weeks. It might take longer if your medical or personal details need to be checked. For a car or motorbike licence, complete form D1 'Application for a driving licence', available from the DVLA form ordering service or most Post Offices.
How long does it take for a driving licence to come? ›
The driving licence is issued after 14 working days. Instructions on collection issued licence are send via email and text.
How long can you drive around with an expired license? ›If you drive with a license that's expired for more than 14 days you will be ticketed. Driving without a license is a class 2 misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum six months in jail. Driving with an expired license is a traffic infraction with a $250 fine.
How much does it cost to renew driving licence UK? ›Renew a driving licence
You'll get a reminder to renew your photo before your current licence ends. You can also renew your expired licence at a Post Office, it costs £21.50.
After submitting all the necessary requirements, you will be asked to pay the license fee which is Php 589 pesos for both pro and non-pro license renewal. Expect additional fees if you are late and outside the grace period given by the LTO.
Do you have to send off your old passport when renewing UK? ›If you're renewing or replacing a passport
You must bring your old passport to the Post Office if you still have it. If you've changed your name, you'll also need to bring proof of your new name (like a marriage certificate).
If you have your original documents, you must send these – not photocopies, not even certified copies. If you have lost a document, such as your birth certificate, you need to order an official copy.
Do I need new passport photos for a renewal UK? ›You must get a new photo when you get a new passport, even if your appearance has not changed. Your photo must have been taken in the last month. Your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules. You can get help with your passport photos if you're disabled.
Do I cut my old driving licence before my new one arrives? ›Never part with your old license till you get the new one & check that it has all the same entitlements on it. DVLA are notorious for dopping off things like Cat A for motorcycles or even HGV entitlements. Then when you ask them to fix it they ask you to produce your test certificates.....
Where do I send my old driving licence to DVLA? ›Dear Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, When a driver changes their address on a driving license, they are asked to cut the previous license in half and return it to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1ZW.
Why is my driving licence valid for 5 years? ›Every 5 years up to age 45, you'll need to sign a declaration to show you still meet the medical standards. After age 45, you'll need to provide a medical examination report every 5 years to renew your driving entitlement.”
How long does it take to get my driving licence back from DVLA 2022? ›
DVA aims to deliver your driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It'll take longer if your health or personal details have to be checked. Allow at least three weeks for your driving licence to arrive before contacting DVA.
Why is my driving licence renewal taking so long? ›The processing times are taking months longer than expected for many – a delay that the DVLA has attributed to a strike that took place in August 2021. For some, the stalling process has left them out of work, or immobilised in rural areas for months on end.
How far behind are the DVLA? ›In May 2022 the DVLA pledged to clear the backlog for medical driving licence applications and return to 'normal' processing times by September 2022. That meant 90% of medical applications being processed within 90 days.
How do I know if my driving licence needs renewing? ›You can find your driving licence expiry date printed on the front of the photocard section under section 4b. Some driving licences will also have the photo renewal date on the driver's picture.
Should I still have a paper driving licence? ›Some paper licences are still valid as of the date of publication (August 2022), but not all of them. If your paper licence was issued before March 31, 2000 and, as outlined above, all of the information on your paper licence is still correct, then it will usually remain valid until you turn 70.
Do I need to send my old driving licence back to DVLA? ›If you no longer want to drive you should return your licence to us at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB.
What ID can I use if I don't have a passport or driving licence UK? ›If you have no photo ID, a copy of your original Birth Certificate or National Insurance Card will be accepted provided it is accompanied by a passport sized photo that is countersigned on the back by someone who can confirm your identity.
Do I need a public services card to renew my driving licence? ›The Government has announced that from 9 April all applications for new or renewed drivers licences will require you to have a Public Service Card – it is the only form of ID that will be accepted during the application process.
Can you renew driving licence online? ›You can now renew your drivers license online, pay using mobile money services of your choice and print your renewal slip....
Can I renew my driver's license online? ›All Gauteng residents must apply for their renewal online by visiting online.natis.gov.za. You can download all the application forms on this website too, but keep in mind that a limited number of slots open up for bookings every day.
How long will it take to get my licence back from DVLA? ›
If you apply online, you should receive your driving licence or vehicle registration certificate (V5C) within 5 days. Here are some of our most popular online services: Apply for a driving licence.
What happens if you forget to renew your photocard driving licence? ›Indeed, failure to renew an expired photocard, can lead to a licence being revoked. This can possibly occur where the police need to issue a fixed penalty notice, but the driver's address has also changed during the ten year period and DVLA has not been informed.
What are 2 forms of ID UK? ›The acceptable forms of ID listed here are: Valid passport. A photo driving licence. A proof of age card such as the PASS card from the national Proof of Age Standards Scheme.
How can I prove my identity without passport or driving licence? ›Most recent mortgage statement from a recognised lender** Current benefit book or card or original notification letter from Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming the rights to benefit (for example, child allowance, pension)** Current local council rent card or tenancy agreement.
Can you use expired driving license as ID UK? ›Examples of acceptable photographic ID are: Photocard Driving Licence (an expired photocard does NOT invalidate the licence) A valid passport.