When Does My Driving Licence Expire and How to Renew It

Most people know their car insurance has a renewal date and their MOT needs doing every year. But surprisingly few people can tell you off the top of their head when their driving licence expires. It is one of those things you sort out once and then forget about for a decade, which is exactly how people end up driving around on an expired licence without realising it.

Where to Find Your Expiry Date

The expiry date is printed on the front of your photocard driving licence. Look for section 4b, which shows the date the card expires. There are actually two types of expiry to be aware of. The photocard itself needs renewing every ten years, and your entitlement to drive certain vehicle categories may have a different expiry date shown in the table on the back. For most car drivers, it is the photocard renewal you need to worry about.

What Happens If You Drive on an Expired Licence?

Driving with an expired photocard is not quite the same as driving without a licence, but it can still land you in trouble. You could face a fine of up to 1,000 pounds. Your car insurance may also be affected, because some policies require you to hold a valid licence. If you were involved in an accident and your licence had expired, the insurer might use it as grounds to dispute your claim. It is not worth the risk.

How to Renew Your Driving Licence

The quickest way to renew is online through GOV.UK. You will need your current driving licence, a valid UK passport (for the photo check), and a debit or credit card. The fee is 14 pounds for an online renewal and 17 pounds by post. The online process takes about ten minutes, and your new licence usually arrives within a week or two.

If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to apply by post using a D1 form, which you can pick up from the Post Office. You will also need to send a new passport style photo. Postal applications take longer, typically around three weeks.

Renewing at 70 and Beyond

When you reach 70, your driving licence expires and you need to renew it every three years from that point. The renewal is free, but you do need to declare that you are fit to drive. DVLA will send you a reminder, but it is worth keeping track yourself as well.

Tips for Remembering

• Check your licence now and note the expiry date somewhere you will actually see it.
• Set a reminder for a month before it expires, giving yourself plenty of time to renew.
• If you have recently changed your name or address, update your licence straight away. It is free to do online.

Orlo makes it easy to store your driving licence details and set a reminder ahead of the expiry date. That way, when the time comes, you just need to spend ten minutes on GOV.UK rather than discovering the problem when you are pulled over or trying to hire a car on holiday. A small bit of planning goes a long way.