UK Identity, Passports, and Driving Licences: Official Procedures
Securing identity credentials in the United Kingdom requires applying through designated government executive agencies.
Primary identification in the UK is established via your National Insurance number, UK driving licence issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), and British passport issued by HM Passport Office (HMPO). First-time passport applicants must provide original parentage documentation and complete a countersignature or identity interview. Drivers moving to the UK can drive on foreign licences for up to 12 months before exchanging them or booking driving theory and practical tests. Our guides explain how to register births, replace lost passports, apply for a provisional licence, and obtain share codes for proving right to work or rent.
All IDs & Licenses Guides (UK)
9 guides
A National Insurance (NI) number is your UK tax and benefits ID. You apply online. You prove who you are. The number comes by post. You can start work before it arrives.
6 steps · Up to 4 weeks after proving identity · Free (HMRC never charges)2025-Latest
Apply online at gov.uk. HMPO says you will usually get your passport within 3 weeks after they receive your documents. A first passport can take longer if you need an interview or extra checks. You need a digital photo that follows strict rules. If this is your first passport, or a replacement for a lost or stolen one, another person must also confirm who you are. This person is called a countersignatory.
7 steps · Usually within 3 weeks (UK applications) · £102 online adult (2026 fee)2026-Latest
A British passport renewal is done online at gov.uk by most adults. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You need a digital photo that follows the rules, the online form, and £102 (fees from 8 April 2026). Most renewals arrive within 3 weeks. If your old passport is not damaged, you usually do not need a countersignatory, and you do not need to post anything.
7 steps · Up to 3 weeks (standard) · £102 online adult (2026 fee)2026-Latest
Apply for a provisional licence. Then pass the theory test and the practical test. If you have a foreign licence, check if you can swap it for a UK licence. You may not need to take any tests.
6 steps · 3–6 months (learner route) · £34 provisional + ~£85 tests + lessons2025-Latest
A share code is a short code from your UKVI account. You give it to an employer or a landlord, and they use it to check your immigration status online. BRP cards ended in 2024/25 and eVisas took their place. Now, a share code is how you prove your right to work and your right to rent.
5 steps · 10 minutes · Free2025-Latest
Report the loss first, online or by phone. This cancels the passport. Then apply for a replacement online. A replacement costs the same as a renewal. But it can take longer because of extra identity checks. You also need a countersignatory if the passport was lost or stolen.
6 steps · Usually within 3 weeks; longer if extra checks are needed · £102 online adult (2026 fee)2026-Latest
You need a UK bank account for your salary, rent, and bills. But most banks want proof of address. This is hard in your first weeks. App-based banks (Monzo, Starling, Revolut) often take on newcomers with just a passport and a visa. The nine largest personal current account providers must also offer a free basic account to people who can get one. This is for people who live in the UK legally and do not have another UK payment account with those features.
6 steps · 1 day to 2 weeks · Free (standard accounts)2025-Latest
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.
5 steps · 1–3 weeks · £14 online, £17 by post, £21.50 at the Post Office2026-Latest
A lost photocard costs £20 to replace online. It takes about a week to arrive. If it was stolen, report it to the police first. You will get a crime reference number. You can keep driving while you wait for the new card. You must be entitled to drive. You must also be able to prove you applied. If the original turns up after you reported it lost, do not drive on it. Send it back to the DVLA instead.
4 steps · About 1 week · £202026-Latest
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and essential rules for ids & licenses in United Kingdom.
How do I apply for a UK National Insurance (NI) number?
You apply online via gov.uk. You will be asked to upload photos of your identity documents (such as your passport or biometric residence permit). In some cases, you will also attend an in-person identity appointment at a Jobcentre PlusJobcentre Plus — The DWP office network for benefit claims (including National Insurance number interviews) and job-search support.Click for official info ↗ office.
How long does a standard UK passport renewal take?
Standard online adult passport renewals typically take around 3 weeks. Urgent 1-week Fast Track or 1-day Premium appointments are available at regional passport offices for an additional fee.
Can I exchange my foreign driving licence for a UK licence?
If your licence was issued in a "designated country" (including EU countries, Canada, Australia, etc.), you can exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test. You must do this within 5 years of becoming resident.
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