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How to renew your driving licence

Did you know if you forget to up-date your driving licence and let it expire, you could be fined up to £1,000?

We Finance Any Car are here to help and ensure you don’t get a fine, face prosecution or even lose your entitlement to drive.

Failing to renew your driving licence and continuing to drive could lead to a fine of £1,000.  It’s just not worth the risk!

Do I need to renew my driving licence?

Yes.  Your driving licence is valid until you reach 70 years of age, but you need to renew your photocard every 10 years.

We Finance Any Car recommend you opt to up-date your licence as soon as you receive written notification from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).  Once received and processed, you should receive your new licence within 10 working days.

Why is it important to renew your driving licence?

It’s illegal to drive without a valid driving license.  The fine for driving with an expired licence is up to £1,000 and can also affect and invalidate your car insurance.

How to renew a photo driving licence

Depending on your preferred method, it’s actually a quick and easy process that needs to be completed every 10 years.  You can either apply online, via post using a D1 form or at a Post Office Counter.

You can find your nearest Post Office branch at www.postoffice.co.uk/uk-driving-licence-photocard-renewal.

How can I check if my driving licence has expired?

The quickest and easiest way to check is on your photocard under section 4b.  Also on the reverse, you’ll see under section 11 a valid to-date.  In most cases it will be the day before you turn 70.  You will then be required to renew your licence every three years after your 70th birthday.

Are there any costs involved?

Yes and they do vary.  If you renew online via the official GOV.UK website at www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence  it will cost £14.  By post it will cost £17.  You can also renew your driving licence in person at the Post Office.  You’ll need to take your current driving licence and this will cost £21.50.

If you’re over 70 or have a medical short period licence, it’s free to renew.

If I’m waiting for my new licence can I still drive?

Yes, you can still drive whilst awaiting your renewal.  There are a few exceptions that include;

• You’ve been told by your doctor that you can’t.
• You haven’t previously held a valid driving licence.
• Your licence has been revoked.
• You’ve been disqualified or suspended from driving.

Should these apply, you won’t be able to drive your car while you wait for your driving licence to be renewed.

How to renew your driving licence

Online:

Visit the official GOV.UK website at: www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence

Before heading online, make sure you have the following ready:

• A valid UK passport.
• Be a resident of Great Britain (Northern Ireland residents need a different service).
• Be able to pay £14 by debit or credit card (unless you’re 70 or over or have a medical short period licence.
• A history of your addresses from the past three years.
• Your current driving licence.
• Your National Insurance Number.

You must also be qualified to drive. If you’ve been disqualified, you won’t be able to apply for another licence online.

By Post:

Alternatively, you can renew your licence by post. You’ll need a D1 Form, which you can get at most Post Offices, or you can order one directly from the DVLA website. This will cost a little extra as you’ll need to pay £17.

In person at the Post Office:

You can also renew your licence at the Post Office. This is the most expensive option as it costs £21.50, but this includes taking your photo and posting the application on your behalf.

Your new licence will be valid for a maximum of 10 years that will start from the date your application is processed and not the date it runs out.

Finally, if you no longer want to renew your licence you should return your licence to;

DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB.  You should also include a letter explaining that you no longer wish to drive.

We Finance Any Car are here to help.  Whether you need assistance with your application, documentation or searching for your new car, give us a call on 01277 80 80 80.