How Much Is a Replacement Driving Licence in the UK?

If your driving licence is expired (or lost) and you don’t renew, you could potentially face a hefty fine. 

But, how much is a replacement driving licence in the UK, and how and where to renew it?

Let’s dive in.

What is The Cost To Renew a Driving Licence in the UK?

A driving licence is a legal document that allows you to drive on UK roads. Although you can’t drive without a valid one, at the end of 2021, it was estimated that there were more than 2 million expired driving licences in the UK. 

Drivers that have a photocard need to renew it every 10 years. In general, driving licences in the UK are valid until the driver turns 70, after which they’ll need to renew them every 3 years.

If your driving licence has expired, is lost, or is stolen, you can apply for a replacement online on gov.uk or by post.

The quickest way to apply for a replacement driving licence in the UK is online, which will cost you £14 if it expired and £20 if it was lost, stolen, or damaged.

Renewing an expired licence in person at a Post Office or by post costs £21.50 and £17, respectively.

Lost License Replacement: What Do You Have to Do?

The first thing you should do when you notice that your licence is missing is to report it to the police. You should also tell the DVLA that you have lost your driving licence.

Once that’s done, you can start the application process for a licence replacement.

Online

You’ll need to provide:

• Your driving licence number.
• National Insurance number.
• Passport number.
• Your addresses (where you’ve lived for the past 3 years).

The DVLA usually uses your passport picture to issue you a new licence. If they don’t have a suitable electronic picture of you for the licence, they will send you a form so you can provide the agency with a new photo.

By post (photocard)

If you’ve got a photocard driving licence and are applying by post, you’ll need to complete the D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ form, which you can find on the DVLA form ordering service or at the Post Office.

By post (paper)

In addition to the D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ form, those that have a paper driving licence will need to include:

• Documents confirming their identity.
• Passport-type photo.
• Their paper licence.

What if I Find My Old Licence Again?

If you find your driving licence after you’ve already applied for a DVLA driving licence replacement, you’ll need to return the old licence to the DVLA.

You can either hand it in at a local DVLA office or send it to:

DVLA

Swansea

SA99 1AB

Other Driving Licence Fees

Driving licence fees vary depending on whether you’re applying for the first time, what type of licence you need, the reason for renewing it, and how you’re applying for the licence. 

Getting Your First Full or Temporary GB Licence

	Applying Online	Applying by Post
First provisional licence	£34	£43
First full driving licence	N/A	£17 to use a different photo
First full GB licence (in exchange for a full European Economic Area, European Community, or other designated foreign licence)	N/A	£43

Changing Name, Address or Photo on a Photocard Driving Licence

Change of…	Changing online	Changing by Post
Name	N/A	Free
Address	Free	Free
Photo	£14	£14
Photo and name	N/A	£17
Photo and address	£14	£17

Renewing an Expired Driving Licence

Your age	Applying Online	Applying by Post
Under 70	£14	£17
70+	Free	Free

Adding, Renewing, or Removing an Entitlement

/	Applying Online	Applying by Post
Adding entitlement to full or provisional licence (e.g. to drive a bus or lorry)	N/A	Free
Renewing entitlement to drive a lorry or bus	N/A	Free
Giving up entitlement to drive a lorry or bus	N/A	Free

You can replace your photo too, but it will cost you £17.

Exchanging a Paper Licence

You’re exchanging a paper licence for a…	Applying Online	Applying by Post
Photocard with change of address	Free	Free
Photocard with change of name	N/A	Free
Photocard with no change of details	£20	£20

Exchanging a Non-GB Driving

Full Northern Ireland licence for a GB licence	N/A	Free
Full  European Economic Area, European Community, or other designated foreign licence for a GB licence if you previously had a GB licence	N/A	Free
Full European Economic Area, European Community, or other designated foreign licence for a GB licence if you’ve never held a GB licence	N/A	£43

Getting Your Licence Back After It’s Been Taken Away

How you got it back	Applying Online	Applying by Post
Disqualified for any reason (except drunk driving)	N/A	£65
Disqualified for drunk driving (and you need to pass a medical exam with a DVLA doctor)	N/A	£90
Disqualified for drunk driving (and you do not need to pass a medical exam)	N/A	£65
After it got revoked under the New Drivers Act	N/A	£50
After it got revoked for not handing it over to DVLA or at court	N/A	Free

Bottom Line

The easiest and quickest way to renew your driving licence is online. The cost for getting a new licence varies based on why you’re renewing it. If you lost it or damaged it, then you’ll have to pay £20 for a new one. The renewal costs less (£20) if it expires and is free for anyone over the age of 70.