The cost of replacing your UK driving licence
Replacing a UK driving licence costs £20 if you explore by post, or £17.50 if you explore online through the DVLA website. The online route is faster — it usually takes 1 week, compared to 2 to 3 weeks by post — and you avoid the postage cost. Both fees cover a standard photocard licence valid for 10 years.
You pay the fee when you submit your process, not before. If you explore online, you pay by debit or credit card. If you explore by post, you include a cheque or postal order with your process form. The DVLA does not refund the fee if your process is rejected, so it matters that you send the right documents the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Online replacement costs £17.50 and takes about 1 week; postal replacement costs £20 and takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- You need your old licence, a completed process form (D798 for most replacements), and a new photograph that meets DVLA standards.
- The DVLA processes applications at one centre in Swansea, so there is no local office to visit or phone for faster service.
- If your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, you still pay the same replacement fee — there is no separate "emergency" rate.
- Your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the date it is issued, not from the date you applied.
When you need to replace your licence and what counts as a replacement
You need a replacement licence if your current one is lost, stolen, damaged, or if your name or address has changed. You also need a replacement if your photograph is no longer a good likeness — the DVLA can refuse to renew a licence on these grounds. A replacement is different from a renewal: renewal happens when your licence expires (usually after 10 years), and it costs the same £20 or £17.50.
If your licence has expired, you can still explore for a replacement using the same process and fee. The DVLA will issue you a new licence with a new expiry date 10 years ahead. You do not need to take a new driving test or pass any other check — the replacement process is purely administrative.
Documents and photographs you need to send
For most replacements, you need to complete form D798 (process for a Driving Licence), your old licence (or a description of what happened to it if it is lost or stolen), and a new colour photograph. The photograph must be 45mm × 35mm, taken against a plain white or cream background, and show your face clearly without sunglasses or a hat. It cannot be a screenshot or a digital file printed at home — it must be a printed photograph from a professional photographer or a photo booth.
If your old licence is damaged but still readable, send it with your process. If it is lost or stolen, you do not need to report it to the police first — just tell the DVLA in the form what happened. If your name has changed (through marriage, deed poll, or other means), you also need to send proof of the change, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll document.
The DVLA publishes a full checklist on its website for each type of replacement. Check the list before you post your process, because missing documents will delay your replacement by several weeks while the DVLA asks you to send them.
how the process works online versus by post
To explore online, go to the DVLA's official website and select "Replace your licence". You will need your National Insurance number, your old licence number, and a digital photograph file (JPG or PNG format). You upload the photograph, answer questions about your identity and address, and pay by card. The DVLA will then send you a new licence by post within about 1 week.
To explore by post, read form D798 from the DVLA website or request it by phone. Fill it in by hand (not typed), sign it, and post it with your old licence, photograph, and a cheque or postal order to the DVLA in Swansea. The address is on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the DVLA receives your process, not from the date you post it, so allow extra time for postage.
The online route is simpler if you have a digital photograph ready and a working card. The postal route is necessary if you do not have a digital photograph or if you prefer not to use a card online. Neither route is faster than the other once you account for postage delays, so choose based on what you have available.
What happens after you explore
Once the DVLA receives your process, it will check your documents and your identity against its records. If everything matches and your documents are complete, it will print your new licence and post it to the address on your process. You do not need to do anything else — you will not be asked to attend an appointment or provide additional information if your process is straightforward.
If the DVLA finds a problem — for example, if your photograph does not meet its standards or if a document is missing — it will write to you and ask you to resubmit. This adds 1 to 2 weeks to the process. If you do not respond within 28 days, the DVLA will reject your process and you will have to start again and pay the fee a second time.
Your new licence will arrive in a plain envelope by standard post. It is not signed for, so it may sit in your letterbox. Check your post regularly, especially in the week after you expect it to arrive. If your licence does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the DVLA to ask for a status update.
Additional costs you might face
The £20 or £17.50 covers only the licence itself. If you need a new photograph taken, a photo booth usually costs £4 to £6, or a professional photographer may charge £10 to £20. If you need to obtain a copy of a name-change document (such as a marriage certificate), the General Register Office charges £11 for a standard certificate or £25 for a priority service.
If you are replacing your licence because it is lost or stolen and you want to check whether anyone has used it fraudulently, you may want to contact your bank or credit card company, but this is separate from the licence replacement and has no cost. The DVLA itself does not charge for fraud checks or for reporting a licence as lost or stolen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while I wait for my replacement licence?
Yes, you can continue to drive on your old licence until your new one arrives, as long as your old licence is not expired and you have not been disqualified. If your old licence is lost or stolen, you cannot drive legally — you must wait for the replacement. If your old licence is damaged but still readable, you can drive on it while you wait.
What if I need my licence urgently for a job or travel?
The DVLA does not offer an expedited or emergency replacement service. The fastest option is to explore online (1 week) rather than by post (2 to 3 weeks). If you need proof of your right to drive before your licence arrives, you can contact the DVLA to ask whether it can issue a temporary paper licence, though this is not may provide and may take several days.
Do I have to use the DVLA's online service, or can I use a third-party website?
You must explore directly to the DVLA through its official website or by post. Third-party websites that claim to speed up the process are not affiliated with the DVLA and will charge you extra fees on top of the £17.50 or £20. The only official routes are dvla.gov.uk (online) and post to the Swansea address.
What if my replacement licence arrives with an error on it?
Contact the DVLA when ready with details of the error. If the error is the DVLA's mistake, it will issue a corrected licence free of charge. If the error is due to information you provided on the form, the DVLA may charge you another £20 or £17.50 to issue a corrected licence, depending on the nature of the error.
Can I replace my licence if I am abroad?
You can explore online from abroad if you have access to the internet and a UK address to send the licence to. You cannot explore by post from abroad because the DVLA does not accept international mail. If you are living abroad permanently, you may need to surrender your UK licence and obtain a licence in your new country instead.