Renew your driving licence online with DVLA if you have a valid UK passport.
There’s a different way to:
If your licence expired between 1 February and 31 December 2020
Your driving licence or entitlement to drive in the UK was automatically extended for 11 months. This is because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The extension started from the date your licence was due to expire.
You will not get a new licence as part of the automatic extension. You’ll only get a new licence when you renew it.
You can renew your licence online at any time before the extension ends.
Renew your licence as normal if it expires on or after 1 January 2021.
If you’re driving abroad
You must renew your licence before you can drive abroad if your licence or entitlement to drive in the UK has been automatically extended.
Renew online
Your new licence will be valid from the date your application is approved, not from the expiry date of your current licence.
Start Now
You cannot apply online if your name or title has changed. You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years – you’ll receive a reminder before your current licence ends.
What you need
To renew online, you need:
- a valid UK passport
- to be a resident of Great Britain – there’s a different service in Northern Ireland
- to pay £14 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card (there’s no fee if you’re over 70 or have a medical short period licence)
- addresses of where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
- your current driving licence (if you do not have your licence you must say why in your application)
- your National Insurance number (if you know it)
- to not be disqualified from driving
How long it takes
It may take longer for you to get your licence because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You must send your old photocard licence to DVLA when you get your new licence. You’ll be told the address to use when you finish the application.
Personal data
DVLA will send you a confirmation email once you’ve applied. You might be asked to take part in research by email, but you can opt out.
Apply at a Post Office
You’ll get a reminder letter in the post. Take it to a Post Office that deals with DVLA photocard licence renewal. You also need to take:
- your photocard licence if you have it
- the £21.50 fee
If you do not have a reminder letter, you’ll need your photocard licence to apply at the Post Office. You cannot apply at the Post Office if your name has changed. You’ll need to apply by post.
Apply by post
It’s taking longer than usual to process applications sent by post because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Get a ‘D1 pack’ of forms from a Post Office that deals with DVLA photocard renewal or vehicle tax. You need to include these things with your completed forms:
- a recent passport type photo (do not sign the back of the photo)
- your current photocard licence, if you have it
- a cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA (no fee is needed if you have a medical short period licence or you’re aged 70 or over)
You also need to include identity documents if you’ve changed your name. Send the application to:DVLASwanseaSA99 1DH
After you apply at a Post Office or by post
You can continue driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive.
Published 24/08/2021
