How to Renew Driving Licence That Has Expired in UK?

Driving is a vital part of your life. It helps you commute to work, form friendships, and explore new places. You also benefit from the feeling of independence it gives you.

But driving requires a valid license that ensures you’re permitted to do so. In most countries, the government provides this license, which is valid for a specific period. So if your current driving license is about to expire, you’ll be excitedly awaiting its renewal date. But before getting your new driving licence, there are certain things you need to keep in mind. So let’s discuss them in this blog and decide whether or not renewing your driving licence is an option for you.

How to Apply for Driving License in the UK?

• You can apply for a driving licence online through the GOV.UK website.
• To apply online, you must have a valid passport issued by your country’s driving authority.
• You must also have access to the internet, a computer with a valid credit card, and the ability to create an encrypted password.
• You must have your date of birth, gender, and current address available when applying online.
• When applying online, you must pay £14 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.

How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Driving Licence?

• UK driving licence renewal fees vary depending on the type of licence being renewed and the method of renewal used.
• To renew a long-term licence online, a licence holder must pay £14. This can be done via debit, credit card, or internet banking service.
• If applying by post, licence holders must include a passport-style photo and the postal order of £17. If applying in person, they must also provide their passport details and the postal order of £17.
• The fee for renewing a short-term medical licence or updating information such as name, address, and gender also does not require any fee in case of renewal online or at the post office.
• For renewal of a provisional licence with passport information, the applicable fee is £19 for a new driving licence application and £8 for renewal online. It should be noted that passport information has to be provided for renewal of motorbike licence and photocard driving licence only if there is any addition or deletion in those details on the application form.

Those over 70 can renew their driving licence without paying any fee if they have held their current licence for 12 years.

However, those with a passport can use DVLA to take photos/signatures from passport information; otherwise, they have to provide passport-style photos and postal orders along with passport details.

How Much is a New Driving Licence?

• A new driving licence costs £19.
• If you apply for a new licence online, you must provide your passport details and postcode. You will also need to pay the application fee of £8.
• If applying by post, you must include a passport-style photo and the postal order of £17. You can also pay the application fee using a debit or credit card or an Internet banking service.

How to Renew Driving Licence That Has Expired?

You can renew your driving licence through the post office and gov.uk website. If you are renewing through the post office, follow the steps below,

Step 1: Your photocard driving license, as well as your renewal reminder, should be carried. Your renewal can be processed with your photocard driving license if you still need to get your reminder, even if none of your information has changed.

Step 2: They will take a photo, capture your signature, and even submit a change of address if applicable. So be prepared for all the services you need.

Step 3: The DVLA charges £17 to renew your driving license, so you should pay the service fee. To take your picture, check your application, and send it securely to the DVLA, they will charge a further £4.50. That adds up to £21.50 in total.

Step 4: The authorities will process your application electronically, and you will receive your replacement license in three weeks. They will also mail your expired driving license to the DVLA on your behalf.

If you renew your driving licence online, you must have a valid UK passport with DVLA. Go to https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence, and here you can renew both your full and provisional driving licenses.

Renew or change a lorry or bus licence

You can renew or change a lorry or bus licence, and there are two conditions: under 45 or 45 and over.

If you are under 45, 56 days before your driving license expires, the DVLA will send you a form 56 (‘application for continuation of the lorry and bus privilege’). You must complete section 2B of the D47PU form if you do not want to renew your permit but want to keep driving cars and motorcycles. To apply for the renewal, you should complete form D47PU and send it to DVLA along with your current licence.

If your license expires within 56 days of your 45th birthday, you’ll have to go through the procedure for drivers over 45. If you are over 45, DVLA will send you 2 forms before your driving licence runs out.

• an ‘application for renewal of lorry and bus entitlement, which is D47P
• a ‘medical examination report form, which is D4

To apply, you should Complete form D47P and ask a doctor to complete the medical examination report, i.e., form D4. If your doctor can only finish part of the report, you may ask an optometrist or an optician to fill in the visual evaluation part. Then you can send the completed forms to DVLA.

Renew your short-term medical driving licence

You must renew your short-term medical driving license if it’s about to expire or if it has already expired. If you have diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, a vision problem, a sleeping disorder, or a heart problem right now, you can only renew online. You’ll have one hour to add information as soon as you begin. It is not possible to save and return to your program at a later time.

How to Renew Driving Licence at 70?

If you have reached your 70th birthday, it’s time to renew your driving licence. You must renew your licence every three years to continue to drive legally in the UK. When you reach 70, the DVLA will send you a reminder and application form to renew your licence.

If you want to avoid the hassle of applying for renewal, it’s a good idea to ensure your current licence is up-to-date and valid before turning 70. Additionally, suppose you’ve been disqualified from driving for any reason, such as owing a fine or court fees. You’ll need to apply for an updated driving licence before returning to the road.

How Often Do You Need to Renew Your Driving Licence?

• You must renew your driving licence every 10 years to stay legal.
• If you’re applying online, you can do so via GOV.UK.
• After your 70th birthday, you must renew your licence every 3 years.
• You can renew your driving licence online in 5 steps and pick it up after 2 working days.
• Alternatively, you can also request a municipal or post office renewal.
• If you need clarification on when your licence is due for renewal, contact the GOV.UK helpline or your local council for help with renewal deadlines.

Conclusion

It would be best if you visited your local driving license office or a driving test centre to renew your driving license. You will be required to present your passport and proof of residence. Two witnesses must sign your application form, and you must also provide a passport-size photo.

After filling out the form and taking the required documents, you will have to pay the fee of £9 (for new driving licenses) or £7 (for renewal of your driving licenses). Your new or renewed driving license will be ready within 10 working days if you are eligible. Remember that if your driving license expires after over a year, you cannot drive legally in the UK.

FAQ – How to Renew a Driving Licence That Has Expired?

Can You Renew Your Driving Licence After It Has Expired?

Yes, you can renew your driving licence up to 6 months before or after it expires. However, remember that if you renew your licence early, the expiry date will remain the same as if you renew on time.

If you have been disqualified from driving, the fees for renewing your licence are £65 and £50, respectively. You can renew the licence online by visiting GOV.UK.

What Happens if My Driving Licence is Out of Date?

Driving with an out-of-date licence is illegal and can result in a fine of up to £1000 and three to six points on your licence, as well as the seizure of your car. In addition, you will likely not be able to get insurance if you have an out-of-date licence.

If your license has been lost, stolen, defaced, or damaged, you can make an application for a replacement at any time. To do this, you must visit your local driving licence office with your passport and ID card (if you have them). You can also apply for a new licence online.

Your driving licence has an expiry date, and you need to update it every 10 years or if your name or address changes. The expiry date is mainly to renew the photo on your licence, as it’s unlikely you’ll look the same after 10 years.

Can I Renew My Driving Licence Online Without a Passport?

Yes, you can renew your driving licence online without a passport by using your National Insurance number and current driving licence. The process is straightforward and requires the following:

1. Provide your current driving licence, passport photo, and National Insurance number
2. Make the payment fee of £14
3. Complete the renewal form
4. You will be sent your new driving licence via post
5. Make sure to keep your original driving licence and passport safe in case of any issues with the new licence.

Do I Need a New Photo to Renew My Driving Licence?

Yes, you need a new photo to renew your driving licence. The ‘4b’ renewal date is generally 10 years after the licence was last issued with a new photo. So, for example, if your licence were issued on 01 January 2020, your 4b renewal would be on or after 10 January 2028.

If you are nearing or over 70 years of age or have medical restrictions preventing you from holding a valid driver’s licence, you will need to renew your licence with a new photo. Drivers with licences that expire after 31 December 2020 must renew as normal. There is no automatic extension for these licence holders.

How Long Can Driving Licence Be Out of Date?

A driving licence is valid for a maximum of 10 years period. However, it can be renewed up to 6 months before or after expiry. If your licence expires and you have not renewed it, the British authorities could fine you £1,000. Additionally, 926,000 people held photocard driving licences that had expired in the past year. So, most people can keep driving while waiting for the new licence to arrive, provided they have not been told not to on health grounds.

How Long Does It Take to Renew a Driving Licence?

Most driving licence renewals take around 4-6 weeks to process. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).