How to Renew Your UK Driving Licence (Photocard)
Your photocard licence expires every 10 years. The DVLA usually sends a reminder. But if you drive on an expired photocard, you risk a £1,000 fine. A driver licence renewal online costs £14 in total. It takes about a week if you have a valid UK passport for the photo. Renewing by post costs £17 and is slower. Only the card expires. Your right to drive does not.
At a glance
- Cost:
- £14 online, £17 by post, £21.50 at the Post Office
- Total time:
- 1–3 weeks
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 5 steps
- Before You Go 2 min
Check the expiry date (section 4b)
Look at section 4b on the front of your photocard. That date is when the card expires. It is not when your right to drive ends. The DVLA sends a reminder about 2 months before. But reminders go missing. Checking the date is your legal duty.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Renew online for £14
Go to GOV.UK. Enter your licence details and NI numberNational Insurance number — Your UK tax and social security number. You need it to work, pay tax, and claim benefits.Click for official info ↗. If you hold a valid UK passport, the DVLA can use its photo and signature. You do not need a new picture. Pay £14 by card. This is the fastest route. It usually takes about a week.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay 20 min + 3 weeks
Or renew by post for £17
If you do not have a valid UK passport, use form D1 instead. You can get it from selected Post Offices. Send it with a new passport-style photo and your current licence. Pay with a £17 cheque or postal order. Allow up to 3 weeks. You can also renew in person at a Post Office that does DVLA photocard renewals. Take your reminder letter and photocard. The cost is £21.50.
Click to mark as done
- Wait —
You may keep driving while it is processed
Under Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act, you can keep driving while the DVLA processes your renewal. You must have applied on time. You must not be disqualified. Your doctor must not have told you to stop. Keep proof that you applied.
Click to mark as done
- Receive 5 min
Check the new card and destroy the old one
Check the new card when it arrives. Make sure the categories, dates, and your details are right. The DVLA does make mistakes. Cut up the old photocard. Do not just throw it away. It carries your identity details.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Driving on an expired photocard. Look at section 4b on the front of your photocard, because that date is when the card expires. If you drive on an expired photocard, you risk a £1,000 fine. The DVLA sends a reminder about 2 months before, but reminders go missing, so checking the date is your legal duty.
Renewing by post when online is cheaper and faster. Renewing online costs £14 in total and usually takes about a week if you have a valid UK passport for the photo. Renewing by post costs £17 and takes up to 3 weeks, and renewing in person at a Post Office costs £21.50.
Assuming renewal at 70 works the same way. At 70, your photocard and your right to drive expire together, and after that you renew every 3 years. Renewal is free at 70 and over, online or with form D46P, and you must tell the DVLA about medical conditions that affect your driving.
Filing the new card away without checking it. Check the new card when it arrives and make sure the categories, dates, and your details are right, because the DVLA does make mistakes. Cut up the old photocard instead of just throwing it away, because it carries your identity details.
Driving while the renewal is processed without meeting the conditions. Under Section 88, you can keep driving while the DVLA processes your renewal only if you applied on time, you are not disqualified, and your doctor has not told you to stop. Keep proof that you applied.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my licence already expired?
Renew as soon as you can. You cannot legally drive on an expired photocard. The fine can be up to £1,000 in total. But your right to drive itself stays in place. There is no extra fee for renewing late. Just do not drive until your new card arrives, or until Section 88 cover applies.
I am 70 or over. Is renewal different?
Yes. At 70 your photocard and your right to drive expire together. After that, you renew every 3 years. Renewal is free at 70+. You can do it online or with form D46P. You must tell the DVLA about medical conditions that affect your driving.
Can I renew with a paper licence?
Paper licences issued before 1998 stay valid until 70 in most cases. But you cannot renew a paper licence. If you apply for a photocard, it replaces the paper one. If your paper licence is lost or your details change, you must get a photocard. It costs £20 in total.
Can you renew your driving licence online?
Yes. Drivers licence renewal is done online at GOV.UK. Enter your licence details and NI number, and if you hold a valid UK passport the DVLA can use its photo and signature, so you do not need a new picture. Pay £14 by card. It is the fastest route and usually takes about a week.
Does it cost money to get a new driver's licence?
Yes. Renewing a photocard costs £14 online, £17 by post, or £21.50 at a Post Office. Renewal is free at 70 and over. There is no extra fee for renewing late, but you cannot legally drive on an expired photocard.
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