If you are searching for information about driving licence renewal, it is important to know when your licence needs to be renewed, how to apply, how much renewal costs and what to do if your circumstances have changed.
For most Great Britain drivers, a photocard driving licence must be renewed every 10 years. The current online renewal fee is £14, and GOV.UK states that a licence renewed online should normally arrive within one week.
This comprehensive guide explains the driving licence renewal process, including online applications, postal renewals, renewal at age 70, photographs, fees, processing times and common mistakes.
For more information about UK driving licences and DVLA services, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Important: This guide applies to Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system.
What Is Driving Licence Renewal?
Driving licence renewal is the process of updating your photocard licence when it reaches the end of its administrative validity period.
A standard Great Britain photocard licence normally needs to be renewed every 10 years. DVLA sends a reminder before the current photocard expires.
Renewing your licence is different from replacing one that has been lost, stolen or damaged.
You may need driving licence renewal when:
- Your photocard is approaching its expiry date.
- Your photocard has expired.
- You need to update your photograph.
- You have reached age 70.
- You hold a licence that has a shorter validity period for medical reasons.
If your licence is missing rather than expired, read our guide to lost driving licence UK.
How to Renew Your Driving Licence Online
For most eligible drivers, online renewal is the simplest way to complete a driving licence renewal.
The official DVLA service allows eligible Great Britain residents to renew a full or provisional driving licence. You need to sign in, provide the requested information and pay the applicable fee.
The basic process is:
- Go to the official DVLA renewal service.
- Sign in or create your sign-in details.
- Confirm your personal information.
- Provide or confirm your photograph.
- Review your application carefully.
- Pay the renewal fee.
- Submit the application.
- Keep your confirmation email.
- Wait for your new photocard.
The current online renewal fee is £14.
For more information about online applications, see our driving licence online application guide.
When Should You Renew Your Driving Licence?
You should check the expiry date shown on your photocard and plan your renewal before it expires.
For standard photocard licences, the photograph must be renewed every 10 years. DVLA sends a reminder before the current licence ends.
Avoid leaving your renewal until the last possible moment. Although GOV.UK states that an online renewal should normally arrive within a week, applications can take longer if additional checks are required.
A good renewal routine is:
- Check the expiry date on your photocard.
- Look out for your DVLA reminder.
- Make sure your personal information is correct.
- Prepare the information required for your application.
- Renew online where eligible.
- Keep confirmation of your application.
How Much Does Driving Licence Renewal Cost?
The current cost depends on the method you use.
| Renewal method | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Online | £14 |
| By post | £17 |
| Participating Post Office | £21.50 |
| Age 70+ renewal | Free |
These are the current fees published by GOV.UK.
Online renewal is therefore generally the cheapest standard option.
If you are replacing a licence because it has been lost, stolen or damaged, that is a different service and currently costs £20.
Read our replacement driving licence UK guide if you need a replacement rather than a renewal.
How Long Does Driving Licence Renewal Take?
The expected processing time depends on how you apply.
Online renewal
GOV.UK states that your new driving licence should arrive within one week when you renew online.
Postal or Post Office renewal
A licence renewed at a Post Office or by post should generally arrive within three weeks. It can take longer if DVLA needs to check medical or personal information.
Renewal times at a glance
| Application method | Expected delivery |
|---|---|
| Online | Within 1 week |
| Post Office | Within 3 weeks |
| By post | Within 3 weeks |
These are expected timeframes, not guaranteed delivery dates.
Can You Renew an Expired Driving Licence?
Yes, eligible drivers can generally renew an expired photocard licence.
The current GOV.UK fee for renewing an expired licence is £14 online or £17 by post. Renewal at a participating Post Office costs £21.50.
However, not every situation uses the ordinary renewal process.
For example, there are separate services for:
- Drivers aged 70 or over
- Short-term medical driving licences
- Five-year bus or lorry licences
- Certain revoked or disqualified licences
GOV.UK specifically states that different renewal procedures apply to these categories.
Driving Licence Renewal at Age 70
Drivers reaching age 70 have a different renewal process.
If you are 70 or over, or will turn 70 within the next 90 days, you can renew your British driving licence online for free, provided you meet the relevant requirements.
Once you reach 70, you need to renew your licence every three years.
The age-70 renewal service requires you to:
- Be resident in Great Britain.
- Meet the minimum eyesight requirements.
- Not be prevented from driving.
- Have a licence that has expired or is due to expire within 90 days.
For more information about UK licences, visit our UK driving licence guide.
Can You Renew a Provisional Driving Licence?
Yes. The standard online renewal service covers both full and provisional driving licences, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
If your provisional licence is approaching its expiry date, you should check whether you need to renew it.
If you have never previously applied for a provisional licence, however, you need to follow the first provisional licence application process instead.
Read our provisional driving licence UK guide for more information.
Renew Driving Licence With a New Photograph
Your photocard includes a photograph that helps identify you.
When renewing, eligible drivers can update their photograph through the appropriate DVLA service. GOV.UK confirms that online photo renewal currently costs £14.
You should make sure your new photograph meets the applicable requirements.
A new photograph can be particularly useful if your appearance has changed considerably since your previous licence was issued.
For related information, visit our view driving licence guide.
Can You Renew Your Driving Licence by Post?
Yes.
If you cannot use the online service, you can apply by post.
For a standard car or motorcycle licence, you can obtain a D1 application pack from a Post Office that handles DVLA photocard services.
A postal application normally includes:
- Completed D1 form
- Recent passport-type photograph
- Your current photocard, if you have it
- Applicable payment
- Identity documents if required
The current postal renewal fee is £17.
Can You Renew Your Licence at a Post Office?
Yes, participating Post Offices can process certain DVLA photocard renewals.
You will normally need your DVLA reminder letter. You should also take your photocard licence if you have it.
The current fee for renewing at a participating Post Office is £21.50.
Not every Post Office provides this service, so check before visiting.
What If Your Name Has Changed?
A change of name can affect your driving licence renewal application.
GOV.UK states that you cannot renew online if your name or title has changed. You need to apply by post in this situation.
You may also need to provide original documents confirming your change of name.
This is why you should carefully check your personal information before starting a renewal.
What If Your Signature Has Changed?
A changed signature can also affect the application method.
GOV.UK states that if your signature has changed, you must apply by post or at a Post Office rather than using the standard online renewal service.
Always follow the instructions provided for your particular circumstances.
What If Your Address Has Changed?
If you have moved house, you should make sure DVLA has your current address.
Changing the address on your driving licence is generally free.
You can also manage your licence information through the DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account, which allows eligible users to change their address and manage licence services online.
For more information, see our driving licence status guide.
Driving Licence Renewal vs Replacement
It is important to choose the correct service.
Renew your driving licence if:
- Your photocard is expiring.
- Your photocard has expired.
- You are due for your regular 10-year photo renewal.
- You qualify for age-70 renewal.
- Your licence requires renewal for another specific reason.
Replace your licence if:
- You have lost it.
- It has been stolen.
- It has been damaged.
- It has been destroyed.
The current standard online renewal fee is £14, while replacing a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence costs £20.
If your licence is missing, see our DVLA lost driving licence article.
If it is damaged, read replace damaged driving licence.
What Happens After You Renew Online?
After completing an online renewal, DVLA sends a confirmation email.
Your new licence becomes valid from the date your application is approved, rather than from the expiry date of your old licence.
GOV.UK says the new licence should normally arrive within one week after an online application.
When your new photocard arrives, check:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Photograph
- Address
- Driving categories
- Licence dates
If something is incorrect, follow the appropriate DVLA procedure.
What Should You Do With Your Old Driving Licence?
When you receive your new licence after renewing online, GOV.UK states that you must send your old photocard licence to DVLA. The address you need to use will be provided when you finish the application.
Do not simply continue using the old photocard after receiving the replacement.
Can You Drive While Your Licence Is Being Renewed?
In many ordinary renewal situations, you can continue driving while waiting for your new licence, provided you meet the applicable legal requirements.
GOV.UK states that you can continue driving while waiting for a licence renewed by post or at a Post Office.
However, there can be additional conditions for drivers with medical restrictions or other special circumstances.
If your licence has been revoked, refused or restricted for medical reasons, check the specific DVLA guidance before driving.
Check Your Driving Licence During the Renewal Process
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account provides access to a range of useful services.
Depending on your circumstances, you can use it to:
- View your driving record
- Check penalty points
- Check disqualifications
- Renew your photocard licence
- Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence
- Change your address
- View your licence photograph
- Create a licence check code
For related information, explore our:
- DVLA licence check
- DVLA driving licence check
- check driving licence online
- check my driving licence
- driving licence status
- check driving record
- DVLA driving record
Common Driving Licence Renewal Mistakes
1. Waiting Until the Licence Has Already Expired
It is better to start the renewal process before the expiry date.
2. Confusing Renewal With Replacement
A lost licence needs replacing, while an expiring photocard generally needs renewing.
3. Using the Online Service After Changing Your Name
GOV.UK says you cannot renew online if your name or title has changed.
4. Forgetting to Update Your Address
Make sure your current address is recorded with DVLA.
5. Using an Incorrect Photograph
Make sure any photograph you submit meets the current requirements.
6. Paying a Third Party Unnecessarily
The official DVLA renewal service is available directly through GOV.UK. Be cautious of websites that appear to be government services but add unnecessary fees.
Driving Licence Renewal Checklist
Before submitting your application, check the following:
- Check your licence expiry date.
- Look out for your DVLA reminder.
- Confirm your current address.
- Check whether your name or title has changed.
- Prepare your photograph if required.
- Sign in to the official DVLA service.
- Check your personal information.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Submit your application.
- Save your confirmation email.
- Wait for your new licence.
- Check the new photocard carefully.
- Return your old photocard as instructed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Licence Renewal
How often do I need driving licence renewal?
A standard photocard licence must normally be renewed every 10 years.
How much does driving licence renewal cost?
The current online renewal fee is £14. Postal renewal costs £17, while renewal at a participating Post Office costs £21.50.
Can I renew my driving licence online?
Yes. Eligible Great Britain residents can renew their full or provisional photocard driving licence online.
How long does online driving licence renewal take?
GOV.UK says your new licence should normally arrive within one week when you apply online.
Can I renew an expired driving licence?
Yes, eligible drivers can renew an expired licence. The current online fee is £14.
Is driving licence renewal free at age 70?
Yes. Eligible drivers aged 70 or over can renew their British driving licence online for free. After age 70, renewal is required every three years.
Can I renew my licence if my name has changed?
Not through the standard online service. GOV.UK says you must apply by post if your name or title has changed.
Can I renew my provisional driving licence?
Yes. The standard DVLA renewal service includes full and provisional licences, subject to eligibility.
What if my driving licence has been lost?
You need to use the replacement service rather than ordinary renewal. The current replacement fee is £20.
Can I check my driving record online?
Yes. The DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account provides access to your driving record and other licence information.
Final Thoughts
Understanding driving licence renewal is important if your photocard is approaching its expiry date.
For most Great Britain drivers, a photocard licence needs to be renewed every 10 years. The current online renewal fee is £14, and GOV.UK states that online applications should normally result in a new licence arriving within one week.
The process is straightforward for most eligible drivers:
- Check your licence expiry date.
- Confirm your personal details.
- Use the official DVLA renewal service.
- Complete the application.
- Pay the applicable fee.
- Keep your confirmation.
- Wait for your new photocard.
- Return your old licence as instructed.
Drivers aged 70 and over follow a separate renewal process, which is currently free and must be completed every three years.
For more information about UK driving licences, DVLA renewal, licence checks, driving records, lost licences and replacement licences, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Disclaimer: UKDVLADrivingLicence.com is an independent informational website and is not the official DVLA or GOV.UK website. For an actual government transaction, use the relevant official GOV.UK service.