What you need to do to renew a UK driving licence

You can renew your UK driving licence online, by post, or in person at a Post Office — the route you choose depends on your licence type and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew online through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) website, which takes about 15 minutes and costs £14 for a car licence. If your licence has expired or you need a new photocard, you must use the Post Office route or explore by post to DVLA, which takes longer but handles the physical card production.

The renewal process itself is straightforward: you provide your current licence details, confirm your personal information, pay the fee, and submit. What trips people up is the timing — you can renew up to nine months before your licence expires, but if you wait until after it has expired, you cannot drive legally while waiting for the new one. The DVLA processes online renewals within one week in most cases, but Post Office applications take 5 to 10 working days after you submit them.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the DVLA website costs £14 for a car licence and takes about one week; you can start nine months before expiry.
  • Post Office renewal is required if your photocard is damaged, lost, or if you need to update your photo, and takes 5 to 10 working days.
  • You cannot legally drive once your licence expires, so renew before the expiry date shown on your current card.
  • You will need your current licence, a valid passport or other identity document, and a UK address to renew online.
  • If your name, address, or medical conditions have changed, you must declare these during renewal or update them separately with DVLA.

Online renewal through the DVLA website

Online renewal is the fastest and cheapest option if your photocard is still valid and you do not need to change your photo. Go to www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence and select "Renew your licence online". You will need your current driving licence number, your National Insurance number, and a valid UK passport or other identity document to prove who you are. The system will ask you to confirm your personal details, your medical history, and whether anything has changed since your last licence was issued.

The fee is £14 for a car licence (different amounts explore for other vehicle types — check the DVLA website for your category). Payment is by debit or credit card only. Once you submit, the DVLA will post your new photocard to your registered address within one week. You can continue to drive on your old licence while you wait for the new one to arrive, as long as the old one has not yet expired.

Online renewal is not available if your licence is already expired, if you are renewing a bus or lorry licence, or if you have changed your name and cannot prove it with a marriage certificate or deed poll. In those cases, use the Post Office route or explore by post.

Post Office renewal for damaged, lost, or photo updates

If your photocard is damaged, lost, or stolen, or if you want to update your photo, you must renew at a Post Office branch. You will need to book an appointment first — go to www.postoffice.co.uk and search for "driving licence services" to find your nearest branch and reserve a slot. Bring your current licence (if you still have it), a valid passport or other identity document, and a colour passport-style photo (35mm × 45mm). The Post Office will check your documents, take a new photo if needed, and send your process to DVLA.

The fee is £17.50 at the Post Office (you pay the Post Office, not DVLA). Processing takes 5 to 10 working days after the Post Office submits your process. You will receive your new photocard by post at your registered address. If your licence has already expired, you cannot drive while waiting for the new one, so plan ahead.

Post Office renewal is also the route to use if you are renewing a bus, coach, or lorry licence (categories C, D, or higher), or if you need to declare a new medical condition or change your name.

Renewing by post if you cannot use online or Post Office services

You can explore by post if you prefer not to use the online service or if your local Post Office does not offer driving licence services. read the form D798 from the DVLA website or request it by phone on 0300 790 6801. Complete the form, include a colour passport-style photo (35mm × 45mm), a copy of your identity document, and a cheque or postal order for £14 (car licence). Send everything to the address shown on the form.

Post applications take 4 to 6 weeks to process. You cannot drive once your licence expires, so send your process well before the expiry date. Keep a record of when you posted it in case you need to follow up. If DVLA receives your process before your current licence expires, you can continue to drive on the old licence while they process the new one.

What happens if your licence has already expired

If your licence has expired, you cannot legally drive, even if you have applied for a renewal. You must not drive a car, van, or motorcycle on an expired licence, and doing so can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and points on your record. If you are caught, you may also be treated as an uninsured driver.

If your renewal process is still being processed when your licence expires, you have no legal right to drive. The only exception is if you are a professional driver (bus, coach, or lorry) and you have applied for renewal before expiry — in that case, you may be able to drive on a temporary paper licence while waiting, but you must check with DVLA first. For car drivers, there is no grace period: renew before the expiry date.

If you have already let your licence expire and need to drive urgently, contact DVLA on 0300 790 6801 to ask whether they can fast-track your process. They cannot always do this, but it is worth asking, especially if you have a work-related reason.

Updating your address, name, or medical information during renewal

If your address has changed since your licence was issued, you can update it during the online renewal process — the system will ask you to confirm your current address. If your name has changed (through marriage, deed poll, or other legal means), you must provide evidence of the change. For online renewal, you cannot change your name; you must use the Post Office or post route and include a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or deed poll document.

If your medical conditions have changed — for example, if you have developed diabetes, epilepsy, or a heart condition — you must declare this during renewal. The DVLA will ask whether your health has changed and whether you have any conditions that might affect your driving. If you answer yes, you may need to provide medical evidence or have your licence restricted. Do not hide medical information; DVLA can check medical records and can prosecute for providing false information.

If you are unsure whether a condition must be declared, contact DVLA on 0300 790 6801 or check the medical conditions section on the DVLA website before you renew.

Fees and payment methods

The cost of renewal depends on the type of licence and the method you use. For a standard car licence (category B), online renewal costs £14, Post Office renewal costs £17.50, and postal renewal costs £14. Lorry and bus licences cost more — check the DVLA website for the exact amount for your category. Payment for online renewal is by debit or credit card only. Post Office renewal accepts card, cash, and cheque. Postal applications require a cheque or postal order.

There are no refunds if you change your mind after paying, so make sure you are ready to submit before you pay. If your process is rejected (for example, because your identity document was not accepted), DVLA will contact you and may ask you to reapply, but they will not refund the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my licence if it has been lost or stolen?

Yes, but you must use the Post Office or postal route, not online renewal. You will need to provide a valid identity document and a new photo. If your licence was stolen, you may want to report it to the police first, though this is not required to renew. The Post Office will issue a replacement photocard.

How long does it take to receive my new licence after I renew online?

The DVLA usually posts your new photocard within one week of your online process. Delivery by Royal Mail typically takes 2 to 3 working days after that, so you should receive it within 10 days in most cases. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact DVLA on 0300 790 6801.

What if I renew but my old licence arrives after my current one expires?

You cannot drive on an expired licence, even if your new one is in the post. If your new licence has not arrived by your expiry date, contact DVLA when ready. They may be able to issue a temporary paper licence or confirm that your process is on track. Do not assume the post will arrive in time — renew at least two weeks before expiry.

Do I need to pass a test again to renew my licence?

No. Renewal is not a retest. You straightforward confirm your details and pay the fee. However, if DVLA has concerns about your medical fitness to drive or if you have declared a new condition, they may ask for medical evidence or impose restrictions on your licence.

Can I renew my licence if I am abroad?

You can renew online if you have a UK address and can receive post there. If you are living abroad permanently, you cannot renew a UK licence — you must exchange it for a licence in the country where you now live. Contact DVLA for information on your specific situation.