How do I renew my photocard driving licence?

For drivers in Great Britain whose photocard licence is due to expire.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You must renew a photocard driving licence every 10 years, and you can do it online, by post or at a Post Office.

It costs £14 online, £17 by post, or £21.50 at a Post Office.
Online renewals usually arrive within a week; post and Post Office take up to 3 weeks.
You can keep driving while you wait for your new licence.
It is free if you are 70 or over, and you then renew every 3 years.
You must send your old photocard to DVLA when the new one arrives.

Different in Northern Ireland

Renew with the DVA through nidirect instead.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Renew every 10 years
£14 online
£17 by post, £21.50 Post Office
Free at 70 or over

Why you need to renew

The photo on your driving licence must be updated every 10 years. DVLA writes to you before your photocard runs out.

Which way to renew

Method	Cost	How long it takes
Online	£14	Usually within a week
By post (form D1)	£17	Up to 3 weeks
At a Post Office	£21.50	Up to 3 weeks
Aged 70 or over	Free	Usually 3 weeks

All post and Post Office applications can take longer if your medical details need to be checked.

Can you renew online?

To use the online service, you must:

live in Great Britain
not be disqualified from driving

You will need to sign in, or create sign in details. You cannot renew online if your name or signature has changed. If your name has changed, apply by post. If your signature has changed, apply by post or at a Post Office.

How to renew online

Go to the GOV.UK "Renew your driving licence" service.
Sign in, or create sign in details.
Confirm your identity and details.
Pay £14 by card.
Wait for your new licence by post, usually within a week.

How to renew by post

Get a D1 application pack from a Post Office.
Fill it in.
Add a recent printed passport type photo.
Include your current photocard and the £17 fee.
Post it to DVLA. Allow up to 3 weeks.

How to renew at a Post Office

Take your reminder letter, your photocard licence if you have it, and the £21.50 fee to a Post Office that deals with DVLA photocard licence renewal. If you do not have a reminder letter, you need your photocard licence to apply. You cannot apply at a Post Office if your name has changed.

After you apply

You can keep driving while you wait for your new licence.
When your new licence arrives, send your old photocard to DVLA. You will be told the address when you finish your application.

Comparing the costs

Renewing online costs £14. By post it costs £17, which is £3 more. At a Post Office it costs £21.50, which is £7.50 more than online. Online is also the fastest.

If you are 70 or over

Once you reach 70, you must renew every 3 years. Renewing at 70 and over is free. You can do it online, or by post using form D46P, which DVLA sends you 90 days before your 70th birthday.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The GOV.UK service covers England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, you renew with the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) online or by post. Your reminder notice tells you the cost. The DVA accepts applications up to two months before your licence expires.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Renew your driving licence (GOV.UK)
Driving licence fees (GOV.UK)
Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or over (GOV.UK)
Renew your driving licence in Northern Ireland (nidirect)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Renew your driving licence

Common questions

Can I drive while my licence is being renewed?

Yes. You can keep driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive.

Can I renew online if I have changed my name?

No. If your name has changed, you need to apply by post.

How early can I renew in Northern Ireland?

The DVA accepts renewal applications up to two months before your licence expires.

Official sources

1.Renew your driving licencewww.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence
2.Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or overwww.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70
3.Renew your driving licence (Northern Ireland)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/renew-your-driving-licence
4.Driving licence feeswww.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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