Before you do anything else, check which process applies to you. Renewing and replacing have different fees, different forms, and different DVLA postal addresses.
You need to renew if your photocard licence has expired or is about to expire, or if you have turned 70 and your licence needs updating for a new three-year period.
You need to replace if your licence is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed and you still have time left on it.
Applying for the wrong one is a common mistake, and DVLA will not automatically redirect your application. The rest of this guide covers both processes in full, including 2026 fees, processing times, and what to do if you need to drive while waiting.
When you need to renew your driving licence
Most drivers need to renew their photocard driving licence every ten years. DVLA sends a reminder approximately 8 weeks before the expiry date, but the reminder is a courtesy — you are responsible for renewing on time whether or not it arrives.
The expiry date is printed on your photocard at section 4b. It is not the same as the date your entitlement to drive expires.
Why the two expiry dates matter
When the photocard expires, your underlying entitlement to drive a car remains valid. But you are legally required to hold a valid photocard, and driving without one carries a fine of up to £1,000.
The distinction matters because many people stop driving while waiting for a new licence to arrive, which is not necessary in most cases. See the section on driving while you wait below.
Three situations that trigger a driving licence renewal
There are three situations where you must renew your licence:
- Your ten-year photocard has expired or is within a few weeks of expiry
- You have reached the age of 70, at which point a different three-year renewal cycle begins
- You hold a short-term medical driving licence and it has reached its expiry date
If your licence is missing rather than expired, you need a replacement, not a renewal. The process and fee are different.
How to renew driving licence under 70
If you are under 70, you have three routes to renew your driving licence: online, at the Post Office, or by post. All three do the same job, but with different fees and processing times.
Renew driving licence online
Renewing online is the fastest and cheapest route. You apply through the GOV.UK service at Renew your driving licence – GOV.UK.
You will need:
- Your current photocard driving licence (or your licence number if you have lost the card — but note that a lost card requires a replacement application, not a renewal)
- Your National Insurance number
- Your address history for the last three years
- A debit or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta)
The fee is £14. Your new licence should arrive within approximately one week of your application being approved.
One important restriction: if your name has changed since your licence was issued, you cannot renew online. You must apply by post and include identity documents confirming the change. Attempting to renew online with a name mismatch will cause your application to be rejected.
When your new licence arrives, you must send your old photocard back to DVLA. The return address is included with the new licence.
Renew driving licence at the Post Office
You can renew at a Post Office branch that handles DVLA photocard licence renewals. Take your current photocard licence and the reminder letter if you received one — the reminder letter is not required, but it speeds up the process.
The fee is £21.50, which covers the administrative fee and your updated photo. Processing takes approximately three weeks.
The Post Office route is not available if your name has changed. You must apply by post in that case.
Renew driving licence by post
Pick up a D1 application pack from a Post Office branch that handles DVLA photocard renewals or vehicle tax.
You will need to include:
- Your completed D1 form
- A recent passport-style photo (do not sign the back)
- Your current photocard licence, if you have it
- A cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA
Send to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DH
Processing takes approximately three weeks, and may take longer if your medical or personal details need to be checked. You can continue driving while you wait — see the section on driving while waiting below.
Renew driving licence at 70 or over
Once you turn 70, the ten-year renewal cycle ends and a three-year cycle begins. You must renew your driving licence every three years to continue driving legally — and unlike the standard renewal, this process is free for photocard holders.
DVLA sends a D46P form approximately 8 weeks before your 70th birthday and then every three years after that. You do not need to wait for the form to arrive.
The over-70 self-declaration
The over-70 renewal is not a formal medical examination. It is a self-declaration.
You confirm that you can read a number plate from 20 metres (with glasses or contact lenses if you normally use them), and you declare any medical conditions on the DVLA’s notifiable list. The responsibility for that declaration is yours. Failing to declare a notifiable condition can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and may invalidate your insurance.
Renew driving licence at 70 online
Use the dedicated GOV.UK service at Renew your driving licence if you’re 70 or over – GOV.UK.
You will need your current licence number, National Insurance number, and address history for the last three years. Your existing licence photo can usually be reused. The new licence arrives within approximately one week.
Renew driving licence at 70 by post
Complete the D46P form sent by DVLA, or collect a D1 form from a Post Office. Postal renewal is free for photocard holders. Paper licence holders renewing by post pay £17 and must include a passport-style photo. Processing takes approximately three weeks.
If you have C1 or D1 entitlements
C1 (medium-sized vehicles) or D1 (minibus) entitlements cannot be renewed online at any age after 70. You must apply by post using a D2 application form and include a D4 medical examination report completed by your doctor or optometrist. The online ‘renew at 70’ service covers cars and motorcycles only.
Driving while waiting for over-70 renewal
Most drivers can continue driving while their over-70 renewal is processed, provided the application was made before the current licence expired. If you have declared a medical condition as part of your renewal, the position is less straightforward. DVLA may contact you before issuing the new licence, and you should confirm with them directly before continuing to drive.
How to replace a lost, stolen or damaged licence
If your licence is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed but has not yet expired, you need to apply for a replacement rather than a renewal. The processes are different.
Apply for a replacement driving licence online
Apply through the GOV.UK online service at Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed driving licence – GOV.UK.
You will need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your address history for the last three years
- Your driving licence number, if you know it
- Your passport number (optional — only required if you want to update your photo)
The fee is £20. Processing takes approximately one week.
If your licence is due to expire within two years, DVLA will give you the option to update your photo using your passport photo during the replacement process. You do not need to make a separate application to change the photo — it can be done at the same time.
If your licence was stolen rather than lost, report it to the police before applying for a replacement. A police report is not required by DVLA, but you may need a crime reference number for insurance purposes.
Apply for a replacement driving licence by post
Collect a D1 application pack from a Post Office. Include your completed form and a cheque or postal order for £20 payable to DVLA. Send to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB.
Note that the postal address for replacements (SA99 1AB) is different from the address for renewals (SA99 1DH). Sending to the wrong address will delay your application.
Processing takes up to three weeks.
If you find your old licence after applying
You are legally required to return it to DVLA. Send it to SA99 1AB with a brief note explaining that you have already applied for or received a replacement. This is a legal requirement that many people are unaware of.
Driving licence renewal fees and timescales
| Situation | Method | Fee | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renew (under 70) | Online | £14 | ~1 week |
| Renew (under 70) | Post Office | £21.50 | ~3 weeks |
| Renew (under 70) | By post (D1) | £17 | ~3 weeks |
| Renew (70 or over, photocard) | Online | Free | ~1 week |
| Renew (70 or over, photocard) | By post (D46P or D1) | Free | ~3 weeks |
| Renew (70 or over, paper licence) | By post | £17 | ~3 weeks |
| Replace lost, stolen or damaged | Online | £20 | ~1 week |
| Replace lost, stolen or damaged | By post (D1) | £20 | ~3 weeks |
Fees are correct as of 2026. Medical short-period licence holders are exempt from renewal fees regardless of age.
Can you drive while waiting for your new driving licence
In most cases, yes. Provided you applied before your current licence expired, you are not disqualified from driving, and no medical restriction applies, you can continue to drive while DVLA processes your application. This applies to both renewals and replacements.
This entitlement is sometimes called Section 88 entitlement. It is not printed on any document — it is a legal right that applies automatically when the conditions above are met.
When Section 88 does not apply
There are two situations where you should not assume Section 88 applies without checking:
- If you have disclosed a medical condition as part of a renewal, DVLA may need to assess the declaration before your licence is issued. If you have not received your new licence and have not heard from DVLA, contact them to confirm your position before continuing to drive.
- If your licence has already expired and you have not yet applied, Section 88 does not apply. You cannot drive until you begin the renewal process.
Common problems with driving licence renewal
Your licence has not arrived after two weeks
Online applications typically take around a week. If it has been longer than two weeks, the most common causes are an address discrepancy in DVLA’s records, a photo that did not meet the required standard, or an identity check that requires further information. Contact DVLA directly to find out the status of your application. See the guide to contacting DVLA for current contact options.
Your licence expired more than a year ago
The standard renewal process still applies. There is no additional penalty fee for a late photocard renewal itself — the offence is driving with an expired photocard, not failing to renew it on time. Apply using the same online, Post Office or postal route and your new licence will be dated from the point DVLA approves the application, not backdated to your expiry date.
You have lost your licence and it is due to expire soon
Apply for a replacement, not a renewal. The replacement will reflect your current expiry date. If expiry is within two years, DVLA will offer you the option to update your photo as part of the replacement. You do not need two separate applications — the replacement process handles both.
You applied for a renewal but your name has changed
If you applied online or at the Post Office with a name that does not match DVLA’s records, your application may be rejected or delayed. You will need to apply by post with identity documents confirming the name change. See the guide on updating your driving licence details for the full process.
What else you may need to update
Getting a new or replacement licence does not automatically update anything else. If your address or name has changed, you should also update your V5C vehicle registration document and notify your car insurer.
Failing to update your address with DVLA separately carries a fine of up to £1,000. The address on your licence and the address on DVLA’s records must match.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renew a driving licence?
Online renewal costs £14. Renewing at the Post Office costs £21.50. Renewing by post costs £17. If you are 70 or over and hold a photocard licence, all renewal routes are free.
How long does a driving licence renewal take?
Online applications take approximately one week. Post Office and postal applications take approximately three weeks, and may take longer if your details require checking.
Can I drive while waiting for my driving licence renewal?
In most cases yes, provided you applied before your licence expired and you are not disqualified. If you disclosed a medical condition as part of your renewal, check with DVLA before continuing to drive.
How do I renew my driving licence at 70?
Use the free online service at gov.uk/renew-driving-licence-at-70, or complete a D46P form sent by DVLA. Renewal is required every three years from age 70. The process is free for photocard holders and involves a self-declaration of medical fitness rather than a formal medical test.
How do I renew my driving licence online?
Apply through the GOV.UK online service at gov.uk/renew-driving-licence. You will need your current photocard, National Insurance number, address history for the last three years, and a debit or credit card. The fee is £14 and the new licence arrives within about a week.
What do I do if I have lost my driving licence?
Apply for a replacement online at gov.uk/replace-a-driving-licence. The fee is £20. If it was stolen, report it to the police first. If you later find the old licence, you must return it to DVLA at SA99 1AB.
Can I renew an expired driving licence?
Yes. The standard renewal process applies regardless of how long ago it expired. There is no additional fee for a late renewal of the photocard.
What is the difference between renewing and replacing a driving licence?
Renewing is for when your photocard has expired or reached the end of a renewal period. Replacing is for when your licence is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. The fees are different — renewal costs £14 online, replacement costs £20 online — and they use different services and DVLA postal addresses.
How do I contact DVLA about my driving licence renewal?
Use the DVLA driver enquiries phone line or their online contact forms. See the guide to contacting DVLA for the current phone numbers, opening hours, and postal addresses for driver enquiries.
Next steps
- Update your driving licence details — GOVexplained
- How to contact DVLA — GOVexplained
- DVLA medical conditions — GOVexplained