How to renew your driving licence
Your photocard driving licence expires after 10 years - the photo must be kept current even though your driving entitlements do not expire with the card. You can renew online at gov.uk for £14 or by post using form D1. Certain events - a name change, address change, or a new medical condition - require an earlier update. Here is how to renew and what happens if your card lapses.
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When does your photocard driving licence expire?
Your photocard driving licence has an expiry date on the front of the card (section 4b). The licence expires after 10 years because the DVLA requires the photo to remain a recognisable likeness. After the expiry date, the photocard is no longer valid as a form of photo identification, though your underlying driving entitlement is not automatically revoked.
DVLA sends a renewal reminder to your registered address before expiry, but this is a courtesy service - it is your responsibility to track the expiry date. If you have moved and not updated your DVLA address, the reminder may not reach you. Driving on an expired photocard can cause complications with police checks and insurers, so renew promptly.
What triggers an early renewal?
Several changes require you to update your licence before the 10-year cycle ends:
- Change of name - following a deed poll, marriage, or legal name change. You must notify DVLA and will be issued a new photocard.
- Change of address - you are legally required to keep your DVLA address current. Failure to notify DVLA of a move is a separate offence.
- New or changed medical condition - conditions that affect fitness to drive must be reported to DVLA. Some are self-assessed; others require a formal medical review before your licence is updated.
- Corrective lenses condition change - if your vision changes in a way that adds or removes a corrective lenses condition on your licence.
How to renew your photocard online
Renewing online at gov.uk is the fastest option. You will need your current photocard driving licence, your National Insurance number, and a valid UK passport. The DVLA uses the passport system to extract your current photo, so no separate photo submission is required.
The online renewal fee is £14. Your new photocard is typically dispatched within one week. You can continue driving on your existing licence while the application is being processed - you do not need to surrender it until the replacement arrives.
If you do not have a valid UK passport, or your passport photo is not recent enough to count as a current likeness, use the postal route instead.
How to renew by post
Request form D1 from any Post Office or download it from gov.uk. You will need to include a recent passport-sized photograph and your current photocard licence. Post the completed form to the DVLA address printed on the form.
Postal applications take longer to process than online ones - typically two to three weeks. If you surrender your current photocard before the replacement arrives, you will not be able to drive during that period. Time any postal renewal carefully, or use the online service if you have a valid passport.
What if your licence has already expired?
If your photocard expiry date has passed, renew as soon as possible using the same process as a standard renewal. The underlying entitlement to drive is not automatically cancelled, but continuing to drive on an expired card risks complications during police stops or insurance checks. Some insurers consider an expired photocard as part of their claims investigation if an incident occurs. There is no separate process or additional fee for renewing an expired card versus a current one - the online or postal renewal process is the same.
Renewing after a medical condition or DVLA review
If your licence was previously held under DVLA medical review conditions, renewal may work differently to a standard 10-year cycle. DVLA issues medical-condition licences for shorter periods - typically one, two, or three years - and renewal at the end of that period requires submitting updated medical information before DVLA will reissue. DVLA notifies you ahead of the medical licence expiry. If you do not hear from them, contact DVLA's medical enquiries team proactively rather than waiting for the licence to lapse.
Conditions that require DVLA notification include epilepsy, certain visual impairments, some cardiac conditions, sleep disorders, and some mental health conditions. The GOV.UK page on driving with a medical condition lists which conditions must be disclosed and how each is assessed. If you develop a new condition that may affect driving, notify DVLA - continuing to drive without notifying them when required is an offence.
What your photocard does not contain
Your photocard driving licence does not show your current penalty points or endorsements. The card itself only displays the licence categories you hold, their expiry dates, and any conditions attached - such as corrective lenses or an automatic-only restriction. Points and endorsements are held separately in the DVLA database and are not printed on the card. To see your current endorsements - or to provide that information to a third party such as an insurer or employer - use the DVLA online check and share code system described in our guide to checking your driving licence online. This is the only way a third party can verify your endorsements directly from the DVLA record.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a photocard driving licence valid?
10 years from the date of issue. The expiry date is shown on the front of the card at section 4b.
How much does it cost to renew a driving licence?
£14 to renew online at gov.uk. Postal applications using form D1 are also possible and may cost more.
Can I still drive while my renewal is being processed?
Yes, provided you did not surrender your existing card. If you applied online, keep your current card until the replacement arrives - you are allowed to drive on it while the renewal processes.
What happens if I do not renew my photocard on time?
The photocard is no longer valid as photo ID after its expiry date. Your driving entitlement is not automatically revoked, but renew promptly to avoid complications with police checks or insurers.
Do I need to update my driving licence when I move house?
Yes. You are legally required to notify DVLA of any change of address. You can do this online at gov.uk or using form D1 from a Post Office.
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