Renew your licence online, by post, or in person depending on your situation

You can renew your UK driving licence through three routes: online (fastest, takes about a week), by post (takes two to three weeks), or in person at a Post Office (takes one day if you go same-day). Which route you use depends on whether you have a valid passport, whether your address has changed, and how quickly you need the new licence. Most people renew online because it costs £20 and requires only your current licence, passport, and a debit or credit card.

You can renew up to nine months before your licence expires. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) will send you a reminder letter about four weeks before expiry, but you do not have to wait for it. If your licence has already expired, you can still renew using the same methods — you are not breaking the law by renewing after expiry, though you cannot drive on an expired licence.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal costs £20, takes about a week, and requires a valid UK passport and your current photocard licence.
  • Post Office renewal costs £17.50, takes two to three weeks, and works if your address has changed or you do not have a passport.
  • You can renew up to nine months before your licence expires, and the DVLA will send a reminder letter about four weeks before the expiry date.
  • If you need a new photocard because yours is damaged or lost, you must renew by post or in person — online renewal is not available for replacements.

Renewing online through the DVLA website

Go to www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence and select "Renew your licence online". You will need your current photocard licence, a valid UK passport, and a debit or credit card. The system will ask you to photograph your passport using your phone or computer camera, then photograph your face. These photographs are checked against your passport photo to confirm your identity.

The process takes about 10 minutes. You will be asked to confirm your address, declare any medical conditions or driving restrictions, and pay £20. Once you submit, the DVLA will post your new photocard to the address on your licence within about a week. Your old licence remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue driving.

Online renewal fails if your passport has expired, if your address has changed since your passport was issued, or if the camera cannot read your documents clearly. If any of these explore, use Post Office renewal instead.

Renewing by post at a Post Office

Visit any Post Office branch and ask for a driving licence renewal pack. They will give you a form (D798) and a prepaid envelope. Fill in the form with your current details, include your photocard licence and a colour passport photograph (35mm × 45mm), and post it back. The cost is £17.50, paid at the Post Office counter when you hand in your process.

Post takes two to three weeks from the day you hand in your process. Your old licence remains valid during this time. Post Office renewal works even if your passport has expired, if your address has changed, or if you do not have a passport — you can use a birth certificate and National Insurance number instead.

You will need a new passport photograph because the online system cannot photograph you in person. Many Post Offices have photo booths, or you can use any high street photo shop. The photograph must be in colour, taken against a plain background, and show your face clearly without sunglasses or a hat.

Renewing in person at a Post Office (same-day service)

Some Post Offices offer a same-day renewal service called Post Office Travel Money or Post Office Passport Check and Send locations. These branches can process your driving licence renewal while you wait, though you still receive your new photocard by post within a week. The cost is £17.50.

To use this service, visit a participating Post Office with your photocard licence, a colour passport photograph, and your debit or credit card. They will check your documents, take payment, and send your process to the DVLA when ready. You will receive a receipt showing your process has been submitted.

Not all Post Offices offer same-day processing. Call ahead or check www.postoffice.co.uk to find a branch near you that handles driving licence renewals. If your nearest Post Office does not offer the service, use standard Post Office renewal (two to three weeks) or renew online.

What to do if your licence is damaged, lost, or stolen

If your photocard is damaged, lost, or stolen, you cannot renew online. You must renew by post or in person at a Post Office. The process is the same as standard renewal — you fill in form D798, include a new passport photograph, and pay £17.50. The DVLA will issue a new photocard with a new expiry date, not extend your current one.

If your licence was stolen, you can report it to the police and ask for a crime reference number, though this is not required to renew. straightforward tell the Post Office or DVLA that your licence was stolen when you submit your renewal process. If your licence was lost, no report is needed.

What happens after you submit your renewal

The DVLA will post your new photocard to the address on your process. Online renewals usually arrive within a week; Post Office renewals take two to three weeks. You will not receive a letter confirming receipt — the first contact you get is your new photocard in the post.

Your old licence remains valid and legal to use while you wait for the new one. You do not need to carry both. Once your new photocard arrives, destroy your old one by cutting it in half and throwing it away — the DVLA does not ask you to return it.

If your new licence does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm; Saturday, 8am to 2pm). Have your National Insurance number and driving licence number ready.

Renewing when your address has changed

If you have moved house since your current licence was issued, you can still renew online if your new address matches your passport. The DVLA will update your address during the online renewal process. If your passport still shows your old address, you must renew by post or in person at a Post Office instead.

When you renew by post, the form will ask you to confirm your new address. Make sure it matches the address where you want your new photocard posted. If you have recently moved and your passport has not been updated, bring a proof of address document (a recent utility bill, council tax letter, or tenancy agreement) to the Post Office along with your process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my licence is being renewed?

Yes. Your old photocard licence remains valid and legal to use until your new one arrives. You do not need to stop driving while you wait for renewal, whether you renewed online, by post, or in person.

What if I have a medical condition or take medication that affects my driving?

You must declare any medical conditions when you renew. The renewal form asks whether you have any conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely. If you do, the DVLA may ask for a medical report from your doctor before issuing your new licence. This can add several weeks to the process.

Do I need to renew my provisional licence the same way?

Provisional licences renew differently from photocard licences. You cannot renew a provisional licence online. You must renew by post using form D798, the same form as photocard renewal. The cost and timescale are the same (£17.50, two to three weeks).

What if my name has changed since my licence was issued?

If you have changed your name (through marriage, deed poll, or other means), you must renew by post or in person. Online renewal will not work because your name will not match your passport. Bring a copy of your marriage certificate, deed poll, or other legal name change document to the Post Office with your process.

Can someone else renew my licence for me?

No. You must submit your own renewal process. For online renewal, you must photograph yourself and your passport. For Post Office renewal, you must attend in person or ask the Post Office staff to help you fill in the form, but you must be present to sign it and provide your photograph.