Where to renew your driving licence online

You renew your UK driving licence through GOV.UK/renew-driving-licence, the official government portal. The process is entirely online and takes about 10 minutes. You will need your current photocard licence, a valid passport or other identity document, and a debit or credit card to pay the £20 fee.

The online route is faster than postal renewal — you typically receive your new licence within one week, though the government's standard timeframe is up to two weeks. You can only use the online service if your licence is a photocard (the plastic card with your photo), not the old paper licence.

If you cannot renew online — for example, if your name has changed and you do not have the right documents to prove it, or if you have medical conditions to declare — you will need to use the postal form DVLA1 instead. The postal route takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Renew online at GOV.UK/renew-driving-licence if you have a photocard licence and your personal details have not changed significantly.
  • Online renewal costs £20, takes about 10 minutes, and your new licence arrives within one to two weeks.
  • You will need your current photocard, a valid identity document like a passport, and a debit or credit card.
  • If your name has changed, you have medical conditions to declare, or you hold a paper licence, you must use the postal form DVLA1 instead.
  • Your licence expires on your 70th birthday if you are over 70, or every 10 years if you are under 70 — check your photocard for the expiry date.

What documents you need before you start

Gather these items before you go to GOV.UK/renew-driving-licence. You will need your current photocard driving licence, your National Insurance number (on your payslip or tax documents), and a valid identity document. The government accepts a UK or Irish passport, a European national ID card, or a biometric residence permit.

You also need a debit or credit card to pay the £20 renewal fee. The payment is non-refundable even if your process is rejected, so double-check your details before you submit. If you do not have a valid identity document or your passport has expired, you will need to use the postal renewal form instead.

Have your current licence to hand when you start — you will need to enter details from it, including your licence number and the date it was issued. If you have lost your licence or it has been stolen, you cannot renew online; contact the DVLA directly on 0300 790 6801 to report it and request a replacement.

Step-by-step process on the GOV.UK website

Go to GOV.UK/renew-driving-licence and select "Start now". You will be asked to prove your identity using either your UK passport or your EU/EEA national ID card. The system uses the Proving Your Identity service, which checks your document against government records — this usually takes a few minutes.

After identity verification, you will enter your driving licence details: your licence number, date of birth, and postcode. The system will pull up your current licence record. Review all the information on screen carefully — your name, address, and driving categories. If anything is wrong, stop and use the postal form DVLA1 instead, because correcting errors online is not possible.

If everything matches, you will confirm that your health and eyesight are still satisfactory for driving. You then pay £20 by debit or credit card. Once payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Your new photocard licence will be posted to the address on your current licence within one to two weeks.

When you cannot renew online

The online service will not work if your name has changed since your licence was issued — for example, through marriage, divorce, or deed poll. It also will not work if you need to declare medical conditions, if you have been disqualified from driving, or if you are renewing after a revocation. In these cases, you must use the postal form DVLA1.

You also cannot renew online if you hold a paper licence (the old style issued before 1998), if your photocard has been lost or stolen, or if you need to change your address at the same time as renewing. Paper licence holders must contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 to request a photocard conversion, which is a separate process from renewal.

If you are unsure whether you can renew online, the GOV.UK page will tell you during the process — it will not let you proceed if your circumstances do not fit the online route. You can then read the postal form DVLA1 from the same page and send it to the address shown on the form with your fee and supporting documents.

How long renewal takes and what happens next

Online renewal is processed within one to two weeks from the date you submit. You will receive your new photocard by post at the address shown on your current licence. If you have moved house, you must change your address before you renew — the online system will not let you update it during renewal, so use the postal form DVLA1 instead.

Your old licence becomes invalid once your new one arrives. You do not need to destroy it or return it to the DVLA. If your new licence does not arrive within two weeks, check your email for any messages from the DVLA asking for more information — sometimes identity verification fails and they will contact you to resolve it.

If you need to drive before your new licence arrives and you have lost your old one, you cannot legally drive. The DVLA does not issue temporary licences. If your old licence is still valid and you still have it, you can continue to drive on it until your new one arrives.

Renewing before your licence expires

You can renew your licence up to nine months before it expires. The expiry date is printed on your photocard — for drivers under 70, this is 10 years from the date of issue. For drivers aged 70 and over, licences expire on your 70th birthday and then every three years after that.

It is worth renewing early if your licence is expiring soon, because the online process is quick and you avoid the risk of driving on an expired licence by accident. Once you submit your renewal, your old licence remains valid until your new one arrives, so there is no gap in your driving rights.

Set a reminder three months before your expiry date so you do not forget. Driving on an expired licence is illegal and can result in a fine of up to £1,000, even if you did not realise it had expired. The DVLA does not send reminder letters, so it is your responsibility to track the date.

What to do if something goes wrong

If the identity verification fails, the DVLA will email you with instructions. Usually this means your passport or ID card details do not match their records — check that you entered your details correctly and try again. If it fails a second time, you will need to use the postal form DVLA1 instead.

If your payment is taken but you do not receive a confirmation email, wait 24 hours and check your spam folder. If you still have not heard anything, contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 with your reference number. Do not pay again — the DVLA will investigate whether your payment went through.

If your new licence does not arrive within two weeks, contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 with your confirmation reference number. Provide your current address and ask them to track your process. They can reissue your licence if it has been lost in the post, though this may take another week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my licence if I have changed my name?

No, you cannot renew online if your name has changed. You must use the postal form DVLA1 and provide a supporting document such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed poll. Send these with your form, fee, and current licence to the address on the form.

What if my passport has expired?

You cannot use an expired passport for online identity verification. Use a different valid document — a UK national ID card, an EU/EEA national ID card, or a biometric residence permit. If you do not have any of these, use the postal form DVLA1 instead.

Do I need to take a new photo for my renewal?

No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current photocard. Your new licence will have the same photo unless you are over 70, in which case the DVLA may ask for a new one. The system will tell you if a new photo is needed.

Can I renew if I have been banned from driving?

No. If you have been disqualified or banned, you cannot renew online. Contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 to find out when you are may be able to access to reapply and what documents you need to provide.

What happens to my old licence after I get the new one?

Your old licence becomes invalid but you do not need to return it or destroy it. Keep it safe in case there are any questions about your driving history. The DVLA has a record of all your licences.