In other cases, you can simply apply for a new licence without problem, although the DVLA will often want to know why your licence has been expired for so long. For these, you may also have to pass a medical. This is especially the case if your licence has expired due to age (driving licences need to be renewed when you reach seventy years of age) or for medical reasons.
If more than two years has passed since your driving licence expired, you may be made to retake your driving test in order to get a new licence. Renewing a driving licence that has been expired for some time What you are really doing is renewing the photo on the licence as this is what expires. It may seem confusing to people looking to renew their photo licence, as on the DVLA's D1 form it does not mention renewing the licence. As long as you have previously held a UK driving licence and are not likely to have your renewal rejected for medical reasons, it should be fine for you to drive while you await your new licence. Your new licence should be sent back to you within three weeks, although it may take longer than this if medical and personal details need to be verified.
Renewing the photo licence is usually £20. The DVLA will send a renewal application pack before the photo needs to be renewed. To check the status of your photo driving licence, the front of the card shows the expiry date of the photo license (marked 4b). How do I know if my photo licence has expired? Once you've filled in all your details and paid for it then the DVLA will send your new licence out to you in the post. The reason you need your passport number - which has to have been issued within the last five years - is because the DVLA will use the picture and countersignature from your passport for your driving licence. To renew your photo licence online at you will need your passport number, driving licence (if you don't have your licence you must say why as part of the application) and a form of payment such as a debit or credit card, the cost is £20. This can be done online via or by filling in the DVLA's D1 application form, which you can get online, from the DVLA form ordering service or from certain Post Office branches. You can choose to update your photo sooner than this if your appearance changes significantly. Your photo licence must be renewed every 10 years if you fail to renew it at that point, your driving licence will be invalid.
If your Photo Driving Licence has expired, you can be fined up to £1,000. To renew the photo on your licence: £20.Renewal after revocation (under the New Drivers Act): £50.Renewal after disqualification for some drink driving offences: £90.Renewing a licence for medical reasons: Free.Renewing a licence at aged 70 (or over): Free.For medical renewals, you need to get the D42 or D48 application forms. You can renew your driving licence at 70 plus online at the DVLA website, or using the D46P application form. The fees for renewing your driving licence are shown below. Renewing A Driving Licence is free, unless you have been disqualified. Vehicles of persistent offenders can be crushed/disposed of by the police. Driving without a valid driving licence can result in a fine of up to £1,000, and between three and six penalty points on your licence. Although the DVLA may send renewal reminders prior to the expiry date, it is your responsibility to make sure that your licence is up-to-date, including getting renewal forms if necessary. The impressive safety record of elderly drivers could be explained by self-regulation, as many change their driving pattern to avoid driving in bad weather, at night or during peak traffic periods.Ī survey by the AA found that more than 50 per cent of drivers over the age of 75 admitted they were more cautious, and avoided heavy traffic and long commutes more than they did when they were 50.It is important to know when your driving licence expiry date is (or was), as it is illegal to drive without a valid licence. Elderly motorists are only involved in around four per cent of injury crashes, according to data from IAM RoadSmart (Photo: Shutterstock)īy contrast, drivers in their teens and 20s are involved in 34 per cent of injury crashes, indicating older motorists are actually much safer on the roads. While there may have been calls for older drivers to undertake a compulsory driving test once they reach a certain age, data compiled by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart shows that elderly motorists are only involved in around four per cent of injury crashes. Should driving tests be compulsory for older drivers? However, if your driving licence expires and you fail to renew, then legally you are not allowed to drive. heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers).