Where to renew your UK driving licence
You renew your UK driving licence through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency), which is the only body that handles this. You have two routes: online through the official DVLA website, or by post using a paper form. The online route is faster — most renewals are processed within one week — but you must have a valid UK passport to use it. If you do not have a passport, or your licence was revoked or suspended, you must renew by post.
The DVLA does not accept renewals through third-party websites or services. Any site charging a fee to help you renew is taking money for something you can do free of charge directly with the DVLA. The official website is gov.uk/renew-driving-licence.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through gov.uk takes about one week and requires a valid UK passport; postal renewal takes four to six weeks and uses form D798.
- You can renew up to nine months before your licence expires, so you do not have to wait until the last moment.
- The fee is £20 for a standard renewal, paid by debit or credit card online or by cheque if you renew by post.
- You must declare any medical conditions, driving disqualifications, or changes to your name or address when you renew.
- If your licence was lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot renew it — you must report it and explore for a replacement instead.
Online renewal: what you need and how it works
To renew online, you need your UK passport, your current driving licence, and a debit or credit card for the £20 fee. The DVLA will check your passport details against the UK Passport Service records, so your passport must be valid and not expired. You will also need your National Insurance number, which is on your payslip, tax return, or National Insurance letter.
The online process takes about 10 minutes. You enter your licence number, name, date of birth, and passport details. You declare whether you have any medical conditions that might affect your driving, and confirm your address. You pay the fee and submit. The DVLA then posts your new licence to the address on your process, usually within five to seven working days. Your old licence remains valid until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is not available if you are renewing a photocard licence that was issued before 1998, if you have changed your name and cannot prove it with a marriage certificate or deed poll, or if you have any unspent driving convictions or disqualifications. In those cases, you must renew by post.
Postal renewal: form D798 and what to send
If you cannot renew online, you will need form D798, which you can order free from the DVLA or read and print from gov.uk. You fill in your details, declare any medical conditions or changes to your circumstances, and sign the form. You then send it to the DVLA address shown on the form, along with your current driving licence and a cheque for £20 made payable to DVLA.
Postal renewal takes four to six weeks from the date the DVLA receives your process. You should allow extra time for the post. Your old licence remains valid while you wait. Do not send cash — the DVLA will not process it and will return your process. If you are paying by cheque, make sure it is signed and dated.
If you are changing your name, you must also send proof — a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or deed poll. If you are changing your address, you do not need to send proof, but you must declare it on the form. The DVLA will update their records and post your new licence to your new address.
Medical conditions and what you must declare
When you renew, you must declare any medical condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. This includes epilepsy, diabetes managed by insulin, heart conditions, sleep disorders, mental health conditions, and any condition that causes loss of consciousness or affects your vision or limbs. You must also declare if you are taking medication that could impair your driving.
If you declare a condition, the DVLA may ask you for a medical report from your GP before they issue your new licence. This can add several weeks to the process. Some conditions result in a licence that is valid for only one, two, or three years instead of the standard ten years, which means you will renew more often. If you are unsure whether you need to declare something, contact the DVLA medical enquiries team on 0300 790 6806.
Timing: when you can renew and how long it takes
You can renew your licence up to nine months before it expires. This means if your licence expires on 15 June, you can start renewing from 15 September of the previous year. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new licence — it will still be valid for ten years from the date of issue, not from the date your old one expired.
If you renew online, your new licence arrives within five to seven working days in most cases. If you renew by post, allow four to six weeks. If you are renewing because of a medical condition and the DVLA needs a medical report, add another four to eight weeks. Do not wait until your licence is about to expire if you need a medical report — the DVLA cannot issue a licence while they are waiting for medical information, and driving with an expired licence is illegal.
What happens if your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, you cannot renew it. You must report it to the DVLA and explore for a replacement instead. Report a lost or stolen licence to the police and get a crime reference number, then contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801. Report a damaged licence by sending it to the DVLA with a letter explaining the damage.
A replacement licence costs £20 and takes the same time as a renewal — five to seven days online, or four to six weeks by post. You will need to provide the same documents as for a renewal. If your licence was stolen, you may be asked to provide the police crime reference number.
Changes to your name or address
If you have changed your name since your licence was issued, you must send proof when you renew. Acceptable proof is a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or deed poll. If you have changed your address, you do not need to send proof — you straightforward declare the new address on the form or online, and the DVLA updates their records. Your new licence will be posted to your new address.
If you have changed your name and address, send proof of the name change and declare the address change. If you are renewing online and your passport shows your new name, the DVLA will accept that as proof and you do not need to send additional documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while I wait for my new licence to arrive?
Yes. Your old licence remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to drive. Once your new licence arrives, destroy your old one or return it to the DVLA — do not carry both.
What if I have a disqualification or conviction on my licence?
You cannot renew online if you have any unspent driving convictions or disqualifications. You must renew by post using form D798. The DVLA will review your record and decide whether to issue a new licence. This can take longer than a standard renewal.
Do I need to pass a test to renew my licence?
No. A standard renewal does not require a driving test. However, if you are over 70, the DVLA may ask you to declare your health and fitness to drive. If you have a medical condition, the DVLA may ask for a medical report from your GP instead of a test.
What if the DVLA loses my process?
If you renew by post and do not receive your new licence within six weeks, contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 with your process reference number. If you renewed online and do not receive your licence within two weeks, contact them through the same number. Keep proof of posting if you renew by post.
Can I renew if I am abroad?
You can renew online from abroad if you have a valid UK passport. You cannot renew by post from abroad — you must be in the UK or have a UK address where the DVLA can post your new licence. If you are moving abroad permanently, contact the DVLA before your licence expires.