Renew your UK driving licence with easy steps (cheaply)

Renew Your UK Driving Licence With Easy Steps (Cheaply)

A valid driving licence is essential for anyone who wants to drive legally in the UK. If your driving licence is about to expire, it is essential to renew it promptly. In this article, we will discuss how you can renew your UK driving licence and the costs involved.

Table of contents

1. How to renew your UK driving licence

2. How long does it take to renew your UK driving licence

3. Cost to renew your UK driving licence

4. Where to take an approved passport photo at a cheap price

5. How Smartphone iD can help you get your new driving licence fast

6. Conclusion

How to renew your UK driving licence

There are three ways to renew your UK driving licence: online, by post, or at a Post Office. You can renew your licence if you have a valid UK passport and if your current driving licence has not expired for more than five years.

Apply Online

You apply online through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, provided you have the new digital passport that has been issued in the last five years. To renew a driving licence, there are key requirements you need to make it possible:

  • Valid UK Passport
  • Resident of the UK
  • Place of residence that you’ve lived in for the last three years
  • Current driving licence, if not available, you must state reasons as to why
  • National Insurance number
  • Not to be banned from driving

With all those documents in place, one will need to pay £14. One pays either with a MasterCard, Electron, or Visa. However, those who are 70 and above or who have a medical short-term licence are not required to pay.

Apply at a Post Office

One will need to go to a Post Office that deals with the driver and vehicle licensing agency photo card licence renewal, that’s if you have a reminder letter and have gotten one; if not, you apply at the Post Office.

The minimum requirement needed when applying via the Post Office is a photo card license.

The fee to be paid is £21.50

Apply by Post

You acquire a ‘D1 pack’ from the Post Office that deals with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. In addition to a filled-in form, you’ll need;

  • Passport-sized photo ( no signature needed)
  • Current photo card licence
  • Identification Documents (If you have changed any or all of your names)
  • A cheque showing payment to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  • Send the application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency address

You will need to pay a total of £17. However, if you are above 70 years of age or have a short medical-period licence, no payment is needed.

How long does it take to renew your UK driving licence?

The processing time for renewing your UK driving licence varies depending on the method you use. If you renew your licence online, you should receive your new licence within a week. Renewing your licence by post takes around three weeks, while renewing it at a Post Office takes around a week.

Cost to renew your UK driving licence

The fee to renew your UK driving licence is currently £14 online, £17 by post, or £21.50 at a Post Office. If you are over 70 years old or have a medical short-term licence, you will not need to pay any fee.

Where to take an approved passport photo at a cheap price

To renew your UK driving licence, you will need to include a passport photo with your application. If you do not have a suitable photo, you can take one with your Smartphone using the Smartphone iD app. The app uses AI to check that your photo meets the DVLA’s requirements, and a team of experts also reviews it.

How Smartphone iD can help you get your new driving licence fast

Photo on line smartphone id.png

Smartphone iD Passport Photo Maker, available on the Apple or Google Play Store, can help you get your new driving licence fast. When you use the app, you will get 100% guaranteed photos in a matter of minutes, you can be sure that it meets the DVLA’s requirements. This means that your application is less likely to be rejected, which can delay the renewal process. By using the Smartphone iD app, you can ensure that your application is processed quickly, and you receive your new driving licence without delay.

Conclusion

Renewing your UK driving licence is a vital responsibility that should be carried out promptly to avoid any legal consequences. By using the Smartphone iD app, you can ensure that your licence renewal process is fast, convenient, and stress-free.

Continue reading


Follow us and find out about the newest information regarding visas and other official documents.

Download the app!

Download Smartphone iD app to track your orders and enjoy even more passport photo features.

© 2025 Smartphone iD

Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceLegal noticeCookies