21 February 2023 , 10:20
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Drivers in the UK have to renew their licence every 10 years - and if you don't renew it in time, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
If you passed your driving test in 2013 or 2014, then you will need to renew your licence in the next year.
In a tweet last week, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) warned drivers that if they drive with an expired licence then they are breaking the law and could face repercussions.
This includes having your vehicle seized and facing a hefty fine as driving with an expired licence means your insurance will not be valid.
Figures from the DVLA published in October 2022 show 926,000 people in Britain needed to update their driving licence.
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This accounts for around 2% of UK drivers, however, some included in the data were suspected of having stopped driving altogether.
Even though the DVLA sends warnings to motorists whose licences are due to expire a few months before, figures from the last 12 months show that around 2.5 million people only renewed it after it had expired or within 56 days of the expiry date.
The agency issued a new warning on Wednesday to make sure drivers don't forget to complete the process, which applies to both full and provisional licence holders.
The DVLA wrote: "You must renew your driving licence every 10 years. Renew online today - it's easy, quick and secure at: http://gov.uk/renewdrivinglicence. Your licence should arrive within a week if you apply online."
According to the official government website, there are several ways to renew a licence and each applies to different circumstances.
Apply online
You can renew your licence online through the Government's website and to do this you will need:
- a valid UK passport
- to be a resident of Great Britain
- addresses of where you’ve lived over the last 3 years
- your current driving licence (if you do not have your licence you must say why in your application)
- your National Insurance number (if you know it)
Once you have completed this form, you will need to send your old licence to the DVLA and you will be given the address at the end of the application process.
After paying the £14 renewal fee, you should receive your new licence within one week of your application.
You do not need to pay the £14 fee if you are over 70 or have a medical short-period licence.
Apply by post
To apply for a new licence through the post, you need to pick up a "D1 pack" from a post office that deals with DVLA photocard renewal or vehicle tax.
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This process will cost you an extra £3 compared to renewing it online with an overall price of £17.
Alongside the completed form, you must include:
- a recent passport photo
- your current photocard licence, if you have it
- a cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA
Again, no fee is required if you are over 70 or are renewing a medical short-period licence.
If you have changed your name, you will also need to include your passport with your application.
If you apply this way, your new licence should arrive in three weeks, but it may take longer if your medical or personal details need to be checked.
Apply through your post office
If you are unable to apply for your new licence online, then you can also do it through your local post office.
However, this is the more expensive option, with the cost coming up to £21.50 compared to the £14 fee for online and £17 through the post.
With the post office, you will need to bring your reminder letter which should've been sent to you in the post as well as your old driver's licence.
If you do not receive your reminder letter, you must bring your photocard licence to be able to apply.
If you have changed your name for any reason since your licence was last issued then you will not be able to renew it this way.