How To Renew An Expired Driving Licence In The UK
You can renew an expired driving licence online for £14, by post for £17, or at a post office for £21.50. Online is the quickest option and takes about a week, while post and post office applications take up to three weeks.
Driving with an expired licence is illegal in the UK and can result in a fine of up to £1,000. It can also invalidate your car insurance, leaving you unprotected if you have an accident.
The DVLA sends a reminder letter 90 days before your licence expires, but it’s your responsibility to renew on time. Your photocard licence expires every 10 years, though the categories on it may last longer.
You can renew an expired driving licence online for £14 in about a week, by post for £17, or at a post office for £21.50. Driving with an expired licence is illegal and can invalidate your car insurance, so don’t wait for the DVLA reminder: check the expiry date in section 4b on the front of your photocard.
Make sure your car insurance details are up to date after renewal by comparing car insurance quotes with your new licence number.
- What do you need to renew your driving licence?
- How do you renew your driving licence online?
- How do you renew by post or at the Post Office?
- How do you renew your driving licence after 70?
- How much does it cost to renew a driving licence?
- What happens if your licence has been expired for over two years?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What do you need to renew your driving licence?
You need your current driving licence, National Insurance number, and a valid UK passport or immigration status document. The exact requirements depend on whether you are a UK or non-UK resident.
UK residents
You need your current photocard licence, your National Insurance number, and proof of all UK addresses for the last three years. If applying online, you also need a valid UK passport.
If your passport has expired, you can still apply by post or at a post office using alternative identity documents. Check which type of licence you hold before starting your application.
Non-UK residents
You need your online immigration status document or biometric residence permit, plus proof that you can live and work in the UK. A valid visa or settlement scheme document works for this.
You also need proof of all UK addresses for the last three years and your current driving licence.
How do you renew your driving licence online?
The GOV.UK licence renewal service is the quickest and cheapest option. It costs £14 and takes about a week to receive your new licence.
What you need
You need a valid UK passport, your National Insurance number, and your current driving licence number. The online service pulls your photo from the passport database, so you don’t need to upload a new one.
The service accepts all major debit and credit cards. You’ll get an email confirmation straight away and your new licence arrives within a week.
When you can’t apply online
You can’t use the online service if your name or title has changed, if you don’t have a valid UK passport, or if you need to update your photo separately. In these cases, apply by post instead.
If you’ve lost your driving licence, you can still renew online as long as you know your licence number. The replacement and renewal are handled in one application.
Related: How Long Does It Take to Learn to Drive?
How do you renew by post or at the Post Office?
Renewing by post costs £17 and takes up to three weeks. Renewing at a post office costs £21.50 (the £17 DVLA fee plus a £4.50 photo fee) and also takes up to three weeks.
Applying by post
You need a completed D1 application form, a passport-sized photo, your current licence, and payment by cheque or postal order. The D1 form is available from post offices that handle driving licence applications.
Post is the best option if your name or title has changed, since you can include supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.
Applying at the post office
You need your D798 renewal reminder letter from the DVLA and your current licence. If you haven’t received a reminder, bring your current licence instead.
The post office option is only available if your personal details haven’t changed. If your name has changed, you must apply by post.
Related: What Should You Do If You Lose Your Driving Licence?
How do you renew your driving licence after 70?
The renewal process is the same as above, but it’s free. You must renew every three years from age 70 to confirm you still meet the medical and eyesight standards.
The three-year renewal cycle
You can apply to renew up to 90 days before your 70th birthday, or 90 days before your licence expires on each subsequent three-year cycle. The DVLA sends a D46P reminder form before each renewal.
There is no upper age limit for driving in the UK. As long as you meet the eyesight standards and are medically fit, you can continue to drive.
Can you drive while your application is being processed?
Yes, as long as you had a valid licence, meet the eyesight requirements, are not currently banned, and your application is less than 12 months old. You must also have the support of your doctor to continue driving.
Keep a copy of your application as proof that you’ve applied. If you hold a provisional licence, the same rules apply, but you must still drive with a supervising driver.
How much does it cost to renew a driving licence?
A standard online renewal costs £14, while postal and post office renewals cost £17 and £21.50 respectively. Renewals after disqualification or drink driving offences cost much more.
Full cost comparison
| Renewal type | Cost | Timeframe |
| Online renewal | £14 | About 1 week |
| Postal renewal | £17 | Up to 3 weeks |
| Post office renewal | £21.50 | Up to 3 weeks |
| Photo update only | £14 (online) / £17 (post) | 1–3 weeks |
| Age 70+ renewal | Free | Up to 3 weeks |
| Medical renewal | Free | Up to 3 weeks |
| Replacement (lost/stolen) | £20 | Up to 3 weeks |
| After revocation (New Drivers Act) | £50 | Up to 3 weeks |
| After disqualification | £65 | Up to 3 weeks |
| After drink driving disqualification | £90 | Up to 3 weeks |
Insurance implications
Driving with an expired licence invalidates your car insurance. Different car insurance companies handle this differently, but most will refuse to pay out if you’re stopped or involved in an accident.
The cost of car insurance is high enough for young drivers without adding an expired licence to the equation.
If your licence has been revoked under the New Drivers Act (accumulating 6+ points within two years of passing), you’ll need to pass both the theory and practical tests again. This affects your premium as a new driver, and you may want temporary car insurance while you retake your tests.
Related: How Much Does Car Insurance Cost?
What happens if your licence has been expired for over two years?
If your photocard has expired but your driving entitlement is still valid, you can renew normally through the standard process. However, if your entitlement has also lapsed, you may need to retake your driving test.
Photocard expiry vs entitlement expiry
Your photocard expires every 10 years, but the driving entitlement printed on the back of the card may last until you’re 70. If only your photocard has expired, you simply need to renew the card itself.
Check the DVLA online service to confirm whether your entitlement is still valid. If it has expired, you’ll need to reapply as a new driver, which means passing both the theory and practical tests again.
Driving while your photocard is expired
Technically, if your entitlement is still valid but your photocard has expired, you are still legally entitled to drive. However, you can be fined up to £1,000 for holding an out-of-date photocard, and it can complicate things if you’re stopped by police.
If you’re planning to drive abroad, your photocard must be current. You may also need international car insurance, and an expired photocard will not be accepted as identification overseas.
Keep your licence and insurance up to date. Compare car insurance quotes with SimplyQuote to find the right cover at the right price.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ‘4b’ section on the front of your photocard shows the expiry date. The DVLA also sends a reminder letter 90 days before it expires.
Yes, as long as your driving entitlement is still valid, you meet the eyesight requirements, and your renewal application is less than 12 months old.
Yes, as points are not cancelled when you get a new licence and are transferred automatically. They stay on your record for four to 11 years depending on the offence.
You should notify your insurer of your new licence number, as failing to keep your details current could affect a claim. Compare car insurance quotes to check you’re still getting the best deal.
Yes, you can renew by post from abroad if you are a British citizen by completing a D1 form with a passport-sized photo. Check your international car insurance requirements before travelling.
You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving with an expired photocard. If your entitlement has also expired, you’re driving without a licence, which can lead to penalty points, higher fines, and your car insurance being invalidated.