We explain how to renew your UK driving licence or passport, how much it costs and how long it is likely to take.
Your passport and driving licence are two vital documents you should aim to keep in date. We explain how to renew your passport or driving licence to avoid any nasty surprises like delays or even fines.
Driving licence and passport renewal costs can vary, here we lay outline the requirements and fees for each:
How to renew a driving licence
You should make sure you keep your driving licence up to date, as an expired licence could land you a fine of up to £1,000.
The process for renewing your driving licence in the UK depends on whether you have a photocard licence or an older paper licence. Most drivers now have a photocard licence, which needs to be renewed every 10 years.
Read more: Can I save money with an electric car?
You’ll receive a reminder to renew your driving licence around a month before its expiry date. This is the best time to do it in order to ensure you receive your new licence in good time.
Once you reach the age of 70, your driving licence will expire, so you’ll need to renew it at this point, and then continue to do so every three years. When your 70th birthday is approaching, you’ll receive a reminder and application form in the post from the DVLA.
Applying for a new licence online is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to do so.
Renewing a driving licence online
According to the government’s website, to renew your UK driving licence online you’ll need:
- a valid UK passport
- to be a resident of Great Britain – there’s a different service in Northern Ireland
- to pay £14 by 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 explain why in your application)
- your national insurance number if you know it
- to not be disqualified from driving
To renew your licence online, visit the DVLA’s website and fill out the application form. If you have a digital passport, the DVLA will use the photo from it for your new licence.
If you’re over 70 years of age or will be in the next 90 days, it’s free to renew your licence online with the DVLA.
How long does renewing a driving licence online take?
It takes around five days to receive a new licence when you apply online, according to the DVLA.
Renewing your driving licence by post
To renew your licence by post, you’ll need to collect a ‘D1’ pack from a Post Office branch, which contains the necessary forms. Once you’ve completed them, you’ll need to post them to the DVLA along with a recent passport-style photo, your current licence and a cheque for £17.
It takes around four weeks to receive your new licence if renewing by post. Find out more about applying for a licence by post on the government’s website.
Renewing your driving licence in person
You can renew your driving licence in person at the Post Office. Make sure you bring your existing licence with you. They can take the photograph for your licence there and then. You should receive your new licence by post within three weeks.
How much does renewing a driving licence cost?
The cost of renewing your photocard driving licence is £14 online, £17 by post, or £21.50 in person at a Post Office.
Read more: Can I save money with an electric car?
Do I need to renew my driving licence if it hasn’t expired?
If any of your personal details on your driving licence have changed, including your name, address and gender, you’ll need to renew it before its expiry date.
Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
What should I do if I have a paper driving licence?
Paper driving licences are no longer issued, and you can exchange them for a photocard licence for a fee of £20.
If you have a paper driving licence, it won’t expire until you turn 70. After this point, you’ll receive a photocard licence when you renew it.
How to renew a passport
If your passport has expired, or you don’t have much time left on it, and you’re intending to travel soon, you’ll likely need to renew it. For example, to visit the EU, your passport will need to have three months left before it expires from the date you intend to return home.
Make sure to factor in current processing times when applying for a passport renewal, as these can be several months long. You can check how long a renewal is likely to take on the government’s website.
Make sure you don’t book travel before receiving your new passport. You may be asked for your passport number, which will change after you’ve renewed it.
You can renew your passport online, using a paper application form or in person if you need it urgently.
Read more: Nine things you need to know before booking your next holiday
How to renew a passport online
Renewing your passport online is likely to be the easiest and cheapest way to do so. You’ll need to complete the online application form, upload a digital photo, and pay the fee using a debit or credit card. You’ll also need to send in your old passport by post via the address provided in the application process.
The fee for renewing a standard 34-page passport online is currently £82.50 for an adult and £53.50 for a child. These costs rise to £93.50 and £64.50 respectively for 50-page frequent traveller passports. The renewal process currently takes around 10 weeks, though this can fluctuate.
If you’re currently outside the UK, you’ll need to use a separate application form to renew your passport.
How to renew a passport by post
If you’d prefer to renew your passport using a paper application form, you can get hold of one at a Post Office with a Check and Send service. Alternatively, you can call the Passport Advice Line on 0300 222 0000 and request one be sent to you.
If renewing a passport by post yourself, you’ll need to enclose two identical printed photos of yourself, plus any evidence for changes you wish to make to the information in your passport. You can see the requirements for passport photos on the government’s website. You can pay by debit or credit card by completing the relevant section of the application form, or enclose a cheque for the amount payable.
If you’re renewing your passport using a Post Office’s Check and Send service, make sure to bring your current passport with you, plus evidence of any changes to the information in your passport. You’ll also need to submit or provide two compliant photos, though some branches will be able to help you take the photo there. You’ll be charged a fee of £16 in addition to the costs below.
How much does renewing a passport cost?
Online
The fee for renewing a standard 34-page passport online is currently £82.50 for an adult and £53.50 for a child. These costs rise to £93.50 and £64.50 respectively for 50-page frequent traveller passports. The renewal process currently takes around 10 weeks, though this can fluctuate.
Using a paper application form
The cost of renewing a standard 34-page passport using a paper application form is currently £93 for an adult and £64 for a child. These costs rise to £104 and £75 respectively for 50-page frequent traveller passports. The renewal process currently takes around 10 weeks, though this can fluctuate.
How long does it take to renew a passport?
The online renewal process currently takes around 10 weeks, though this can fluctuate. If you’re renewing your passport using a paper application form, the process takes around 10 weeks from when HM Passport Office receives your old passport and supporting documents.
How to renew a passport urgently
If you need your passport renewed urgently, for instance, if you’ve not left enough time before you intend to travel to use the normal renewal service, you’ll need to apply for a faster service.
The one-week Fast Track service costs £155 for an adult passport and £126 for a child passport. These costs increase to £166 and £137 respectively for a 50 page frequent traveller passport.
To use it, you’ll need to get a paper application form from a Post Office, then book an appointment online at your nearest passport office and pay the fee by debit or credit card.
If you need a passport sooner than in a week’s time, you can use the Online Premium service. The earliest you can get an appointment is two days from when you apply. You’ll need your old passport, plus a digital photograph of yourself that fits the requirements. You’ll receive your new passport at the appointment.
The Online Premium service costs £193.50 for a regular passport, which rises to £204.50 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport.
If you’re outside the UK and you need an urgent passport, apply for an emergency travel document instead.
What should I do if my passport has been lost or stolen?
If your passport has been lost, stolen or damaged, you’ll need to order a replacement rather than renewing it. This includes if your passport has more than reasonable wear and tear. You can apply for a replacement passport on the government’s website.
