Any drivers who passed their test before 2016 have been urged to take action soon to avoid breaking the law and receiving a fine.
When you receive your driving licence, it is valid for 10 years and then it needs to be removed. Driving with an expired licence is a serious offence that will invalidate your insurance, can result in a hefty fine and even a seized vehicle.
In a recent update on X, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) said: “Remember to renew your driving licence every 10 years, then the journey can go on!” When your driving licence expires, renewing it is fairly simple.
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You can renew your driving licence online or at a Post Office
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It costs £14 to do so online, or £21.50 to renew at a Post Office. When your licence is up for renewal, you should be sent a reminder from DVLA. Gov.uk guidance states 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 give plenty of time before it expires, reports Kent Live. If your old licence becomes invalid while your application is being processed, you can still drive while waiting for your new one to arrive.
In April 2024, new rules were introduced, allowing motorists to renew their photocard driving licence online through their driver and vehicles account and learners to apply for their first provisional licence via the same service. Under the new changes, drivers can complete a 10-year renewal of their photocard driving licence through the service. Motorists will be able to track their application, view details of their new driving licence once issued, and choose whether to upload their own photo, or allow the DVLA to digitally access and use their existing passport photo through its secure link with HM Passport Office.
The DVLA is driving forward with its digital transformation, now offering motorists the chance to renew their driving licence and apply for a first provisional licence through a single online hub. This move follows last year’s announcement that commercial drivers can access their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and tachograph data via the driver and vehicles account service.
Former roads and local transport minister Guy Opperman praised the initiative, saying: “Renewing your driving licence should be an easy, accessible, straightforward process so that motorists can continue to drive safely. That’s why it’s great to see DVLA offer motorists the opportunity to renew their driving licence and apply for a first provisional licence all in one place, as DVLA continues to evolve into an increasingly dynamic, digital, and customer-centric organisation.”
DVLA chief executive Julie Lennard also commented on the enhanced service, adding: “We are pleased to say that two of our most popular services are now available through our Driver and vehicles account, providing even more convenience for our customers. We want to make transacting with us as simple and as streamlined as possible, which is why we will continue to add more features and services to the account so that our customers can get what they need from DVLA quicker and easier than ever before.”