How do I renew my driving licence at 70?

What you need before you start

• Your current driving licence. It must have expired, or be due to expire within 90 days.
• To be 70 or over, or turning 70 within 90 days.
• To live in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has a different service).
• To meet the minimum eyesight standard. This means you can read a number plate from 20 metres away, with glasses or contact lenses if you need them.
• Nothing else stopping you from driving, such as a ban.

If you renew online, you may be asked to prove who you are with photo ID, like a passport or driving licence.

How to renew online

1. Go to the DVLA renewal service on GOV.UK. It is free.
2. Sign in and prove your identity if you are asked to.
3. Confirm that you meet the eyesight standard and that nothing stops you driving.
4. Choose whether to keep your current photo or add a new one. You can change it at the same time as renewing.
5. Send your application. DVLA will email you to confirm it has been received.

How to renew by post

DVLA sends a reminder form called a D46P about 90 days before your 70th birthday. Fill it in and post it back. If you did not get one, use form D1, which most Post Offices have. Renewing by post is also free, but make sure you pay the right postage.

You must renew by post if you want to keep a C1 (medium-sized vehicle) or D1 (minibus) entitlement. The online service cannot renew these.

Time and cost

A postal application can take longer if DVLA needs to check your medical or personal details.

Can I keep driving while I wait?

Often, yes. You can usually keep driving if all of these apply:

• your doctor supports you continuing to drive
• you had a valid licence, and you only drive the vehicles you were allowed to before
• your application was sent less than a year ago
• your last licence was not taken away for medical reasons
• you are not banned from driving
• you were not disqualified as a high-risk offender on or after 1 June 2013

After 70, renew every 3 years

Your new licence lasts 3 years. You then renew again, for free, every 3 years. DVLA should send you a reminder each time.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Scotland and Wales use the same DVLA service as England.

In Northern Ireland, licences are issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). It sends a renewal notice about two months before your licence runs out. Renewing is free from age 70, and licences for people aged 70 or over normally last up to three years. You can renew a car or motorcycle licence online once you get your renewal notice. To keep C1 or D1 categories, you renew by post with a DLM1 medical report, and your doctor may charge for this. The DVA aims to deal with a complete application within 10 working days, but says to allow six weeks for delivery.

Related guides

• How do I renew my driving licence?
• How do I renew my photocard driving licence?
• How do I replace a lost driving licence?
• How do I get my first provisional driving licence?
• How do I change the address on my driving licence?

Where this comes from

• Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or over (GOV.UK)
• Driving licence fees (GOV.UK)
• Renew your driving licence at 70 plus (nidirect)
• The cost of a driving licence (nidirect)