Motorists who have had a driving licence for 10 years must renew it in time or face penalties, the DVLA has warned.
Once issued, a licence is valid for ten years and those who continue to drive with an expired licence will be committing a serious offence, as their insurance will no longer be valid. This can cost a motorist up to £1,000 in fines or a possible seized vehicle.
Luckily, an invalid licence doesn't mean you have to give up driving - all you have to do is renew it. However, there are several ways to renew a licence and each apply for different circumstances.
The DVLA has issued a fresh reminder to ensure that eligible British drivers don't forget to complete the vital process which applies to both full and provisional licence holders.
Posting on their official Twitter page on Wednesday, they 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 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 their licence should do so in good time before it expires. The good news is you can still drive while waiting for your new one to arrive if it becomes invalid while your application is being processed.
For those looking to renew a licence after ten years, it can be done at a post office, by post or online - all of which have different fees and wait times.
Read on for instructions on how to complete each method.
Apply online
Renewing your licence online is pretty straightforward and the cheapest with a £14 fee.
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. You must send your old photocard licence to DVLA when you get your new licence.
You’ll be told the address to use when you finish the application. Once completed, you should receive a confirmation email from the DVLA.
Renew your licence at the post office
For the post office, you will receive a reminder letter in the mail, which you must bring to a post office that offers DVLA photocard licence renewal. You will need to bring your licence if you have it and the £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, but can only do it via post.
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. 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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