The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has issued an important reminder to anyone who passed their driving test before 2014. Anyone who has had their driving licence for nearly 10 years will soon need to renew it.
Driving licences are valid for ten years and if you continue to drive with an expired licence your car insurance will no longer be valid. Anyone who fails to renew their licence in time could face a hefty fine of up to £1,000, or get their vehicle seized, the Daily Record reports.
You can check whether your licence is due for renewal by checking the expiry date on it.
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The DVLA has issued a reminder to ensure that eligible British drivers don't forget to complete the vital renewal process, which applies to both full and provisional licence holders. Posting on Twitter, the agency said: "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 Government department's official website, there are different ways to apply for a licence if you are over 70, a bus or lorry driver or need to renew a short term medical licence.
Those needing to renew should do so in good time before it expires. Luckily, you can still drive while waiting for your new one to arrive if your licence becomes invalid while your application is being processed.
Here's how you can renew your licence:
Apply online
Renewing your licence online is the cheapest way to do so, and it costs £14. You can visit the online form here and you will need:
- a valid UK passport
- to be a resident of Great Britain
- to pay £14 by MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card (there’s no fee if you’re over 70 or have a medical short period licence)
- 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)
- to not be disqualified from driving
You should receive your new one within a week of applying but you must also send your old photocard licence to DVLA when you get your new one.
Go to the post office
If you receive a reminder letter in the post, you can take it to a post office that offers DVLA photocard licence renewal. You will need to bring your licence if you have it and pay a £21.50 fee.
If you do not receive a reminder letter, you must bring your photocard licence to be able to apply. Those who have changed their name for any reason can't renew their licence this way, and must do it via post.
Via 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. This process costs £17.
With the completed form, you must include:
- a recent passport photo (do not sign the back of the photo)
- your current photocard licence, if you have it
- a cheque or postal order for £17, payable to DVLA (no fee is needed if you have a medical short period licence or you’re aged 70 or over)
If you've changed your name, you will also need to include your passport. Once completed, you should send the application to the following address: DVLA, Swansea SA99 1DH
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.
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