How to Get and Renew a UK Driving Licence

What a UK driving licence is and who issues it

A UK driving licence is a legal document that proves you are permitted to drive a motor vehicle on public roads. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) issues and manages all driving licences in Great Britain — England, Scotland, and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent body is the DVA (Driver and Vehicle Agency).

The licence shows your name, address, photograph, date of birth, and the categories of vehicles you are authorised to drive. It is not the same as a provisional licence (which learners hold) or a bus pass. You cannot drive legally without one, and police can stop you and ask to see it at any time.

The DVLA keeps a record linked to your National Insurance number. When you pass your driving test, the examiner sends the result to the DVLA, which then issues your full licence. If you already hold a licence from another country, you may be able to exchange it for a UK one without taking a test, depending on which country issued it.

Key Takeaways

You must pass a theory test and a practical driving test before the DVLA will issue a full licence; you cannot legally drive alone on a provisional licence.
A full UK licence lasts ten years for car drivers under 70, then three years from age 70 onwards, and you must renew it before it expires.
You can explore for a provisional licence online at gov.uk/explore-provisional-driving-licence, and it usually arrives within one week.
Renewal costs £14 and takes up to a week; you can renew online, by post, or in person at a Post Office if you meet the may be able to access criteria.
If your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can explore for a replacement at gov.uk/replace-lost-stolen-damaged-driving-licence for £20.

Getting a provisional licence as a learner

Before you can take either test, you must hold a provisional licence. This allows you to learn to drive under supervision — you must be accompanied by a may have access to driver aged 21 or over who holds a full licence for the category you are learning in.

To explore for a provisional licence, you need to be at least 17 years old (or 16 if you are learning to ride a moped). You can explore online at gov.uk/explore-provisional-driving-licence using your National Insurance number and passport details. The process takes about ten minutes. You will be asked to provide a digital photograph that meets the DVLA's standards, or you can upload one you already have.

The DVLA charges £34 for a provisional car licence. Payment is by debit or credit card online. The licence is posted to you and usually arrives within one week. Once you have it, you can display L-plates on your vehicle and begin supervised driving.

Passing the theory and practical tests

You must pass two separate tests before you can hold a full licence. The theory test covers road signs, hazard awareness, and the Highway Code. You book it through the official DVLA test booking service at gov.uk/book-theory-test. The test costs £23 and is taken at a computer-based test centre. You need to score at least 43 out of 50 on the multiple-choice section and 44 out of 75 on the hazard perception section to pass.

Once you have passed the theory test, you can book your practical driving test. This is a 40-minute test with an examiner who watches you drive and assesses your control, awareness, and decision-making. The practical test costs £62 (or £75 if you book less than three working days in advance). You can book through gov.uk/book-practical-driving-test. Waiting times vary by region; in busy areas, you may wait eight to twelve weeks.

When you pass the practical test, the examiner gives you a pass certificate. You then send this to the DVLA (or it can be sent automatically if you applied online), and the DVLA issues your full licence within one week. Your full licence is valid for ten years if you are under 70.

Renewing your licence before it expires

Your full driving licence shows an expiry date on the front. You must renew it before that date or you cannot legally drive. The DVLA sends a reminder letter about nine weeks before expiry, but you do not have to wait for it — you can renew at any time in the three months before expiry.

Renewal costs £14. You can renew online at gov.uk/renew-driving-licence if you meet the criteria: you must be a UK resident, your licence must not be revoked or suspended, and you must not have any unspent driving convictions. The online process takes about ten minutes and uses your National Insurance number and passport details. You will need to provide a new digital photograph.

If you cannot renew online, you can renew by post using the process form D1 (available from the Post Office or gov.uk), or you can visit a Post Office in person if your local branch offers the service. Postal renewal takes up to a week; in-person renewal at the Post Office is usually faster. If you renew after your licence has expired, you cannot drive until the new one arrives.

Exchanging a licence from another country

If you hold a full, valid driving licence from another country and you are now a UK resident, you may be able to exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test. This depends on which country issued your licence and how long you have held it.

Licences from European Economic Area (EEA) countries and certain other countries (including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa) can usually be exchanged. You must have held the licence for at least two years, and it must not be suspended or revoked. You explore by post using the form D1 and sending your original licence to the DVLA. The exchange is free, and your new UK licence is issued within two weeks.

If your country is not on the approved list, you will need to pass the UK theory and practical tests. You can still explore for a provisional licence and begin learning, but you cannot exchange your existing licence.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged licence

If your licence is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, you can explore for a replacement. You explore online at gov.uk/replace-lost-stolen-damaged-driving-licence. The replacement costs £20 and is posted to you within one week.

If your licence was stolen, you should also report it to the police and keep a copy of the crime reference number. If it was lost, you do not need to report it, but you should tell the DVLA if you later find it — you must return the old one or it will remain valid and could be misused.

You can also explore for a replacement by post using form D1 and sending it to the DVLA address shown on the form. Postal applications take longer, usually two to three weeks.

What happens if you drive without a valid licence

Driving without a valid licence is a criminal offence. If you are stopped by police and cannot produce a licence, you can be fined up to £1,000 and receive penalty points on your record. If you are caught driving after your licence has expired, the penalty is the same.

If you are involved in an accident and you do not hold a valid licence, your insurance may not cover the damage, and you could be liable for the full cost. Your vehicle can also be seized and impounded.

If you have lost your licence and are waiting for a replacement, you can ask the DVLA for a temporary paper licence (called a counterpart) while you wait, though this is not always issued. It is safer to avoid driving until your replacement arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive in the UK on a provisional licence?

No, not alone. You must be supervised by a may have access to driver aged 21 or over who holds a full licence for the same category. You must display L-plates and follow all the rules of the road. Driving alone on a provisional licence is illegal and can result in a fine and points on your record.

How long does it take to get a full licence after I pass my test?

The DVLA usually issues your full licence within one week of receiving your pass certificate from the test centre. If you applied online, the process is faster. If you applied by post, it may take up to two weeks. You cannot drive alone until your full licence arrives.

What if I move house after I get my licence?

You must tell the DVLA about your change of address within one month. You can do this online at gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence or by post using form D1. Your licence itself does not need to be replaced; the DVLA updates your record. If you do not notify them, your licence remains valid but your address on file will be wrong.

Can I renew my licence if I have points on my record?

Yes. Penalty points do not prevent renewal. However, if your licence has been revoked or suspended due to a conviction, you cannot renew online and must explore by post. You should contact the DVLA to check your status before explore.

What if my licence expires while I am abroad?

You cannot legally drive in the UK on an expired licence, even if you are abroad when it expires. You should renew it before you travel. If it expires while you are away, you can explore for a replacement online or by post from abroad, but you cannot drive in the UK until it arrives. Some countries will not let you hire a car if your UK licence is expired.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.