How do I renew my driving licence?

For people who need to renew their photocard driving licence.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

Renew online for £14; it should arrive within a week. Photocard licences must be renewed every 10 years.

At a Post Office it costs £21.50, and by post £17.
By Post Office or post, it should arrive within 3 weeks.
It's free if you're 70 or over or have a short-term medical licence.
If your name has changed, you must apply by post.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

£14 online
Every 10 years
Free if 70 or over

Ways to renew and what they cost

How you renew	Cost	How long it takes
Online	£14	Within a week
By post	£17 (cheque or postal order)	Within 3 weeks
At a Post Office	£21.50	Within 3 weeks

Renewing is free if you are 70 or over, or if you have a medical short period licence.

Who can renew this way

To renew, you must:

be a resident of Great Britain
not be disqualified from driving

If your name, title or signature has changed, you cannot renew online. If only your signature has changed, apply by post or at a Post Office. If your name or title has changed, you can only apply by post.

How to renew online

Go to the DVLA "Renew your driving licence" service on GOV.UK.
Sign in. You will be told if you need to prove your identity, for example with photo ID.
Check your details and photo.
Pay £14 by debit or credit card.
Your new licence should arrive within a week.

How to renew by post or at a Post Office

By post: get a D1 pack of forms from a Post Office. Send the completed form, a recent passport-type photo, your current photocard licence if you have it, and a £17 cheque or postal order.
At a Post Office: get a D1 pack of forms from a Post Office that offers DVLA photocard renewal or vehicle tax. Take your photocard licence if you have it and the £21.50 fee.

Things to know

You will get a reminder before your current licence ends.
Your new licence is valid from the date your application is approved, not from the expiry date of your old one. So renewing very early can shorten the time on your licence.
You can keep driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive.

If you are 70 or over

Once you reach 70, you must renew every 3 years, and it is free. DVLA sends you a D46P form 90 days before your 70th birthday or before your licence runs out. You can renew online or by post. You cannot renew C1 (medium-sized vehicle) or D1 (minibus) entitlements online.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Licences are renewed by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), not DVLA. A car licence expires every 10 years. The DVA sends a reminder about two months before expiry, and you can apply up to two months early. Allow at least six weeks for your licence to arrive. The expiry date is at section 4b on your photocard.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

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

Renew your licence with DVLA

Common questions

Can I drive while I wait?

Yes, you can continue driving while you wait for your new licence.

When is my new licence valid from?

From the date your application is approved, not your old licence's expiry date.

Source: Renew your driving licence

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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