As a UK motorist, you must by law ensure your driving licence is valid. If your driving licence has expired, you could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000.
New driving licences are initially granted for 10 years. Although the DVLA will send you a reminder letter before your driving licence expires, it is your responsibility to ensure that your driving licence is valid.
The date your licence expires is shown on the front of your licence photocard, under section 4b.
Missing the reminder letter, or if you have not kept your registered address details up to date, will not be accepted as a valid excuse for driving with an expired licence.
Although the DVLA may offer some leniency for a delay in renewing an expired driving licence, should you be found to be driving without a valid driving licence, you are at risk of a penalty fine of £1,000.
In addition, without a valid driving licence, your insurance cover does not apply and you will be unable to make a claim if you are involved in a car accident. Driving a car without insurance is an offence in the UK.
Can you drive while your licence renewal is being processed?
You are allowed to drive while your driving licence renewal is being processed provided you meet a number of conditions.
It must be less than a year since you submitted your driving licence renewal. There must be no medical reasons that would prevent you from driving or that have led to your driving licence being revoked or refused. You must have previously held a valid driving licence and be driving under the conditions of your previous driving licence. You must not be disqualified from driving, and you must not have been disqualified as a high-risk offender since 1 June 2013.
In the situation where you are involved in a car accident while your licence renewal is being processed and your driving licence has expired, your insurance company may reject any claim you make, depending on the individual details of your insurance policy.
It is therefore advised that you renew your driving licence in good time before the expiry date.
Will you be excused from the fine if you are late renewing your expired driving licence?
Provided your current address is registered with the DVLA, you will receive a reminder letter before your driving licence expires. But if you are late in renewing your driving licence, it is at the discretion of the DVLA as to whether they will impose a fine.
However, if it is over two years since your driving licence expired, you could face an order to retake your driving test.
Should you apply for a new licence, the DVLA will generally require a reason as to why you allowed your driving licence to expire for an extended period of time.
How to renew your driving licence if you are under 70 years old
If you are under 70 years old, you are required to renew your driving licence every 10 years.
You will receive a reminder from the DVLA to renew your driving licence before it runs out, so it is important that your registered contact details are kept up to date with the DVLA.
The DVLA will accept renewal applications up to 2 months before your driving licence expires.
There are three ways to renew your driving licence:
- Online
- Post Office
- Post
Online
To renew online you will need a Government Gateway ID. Use this to log in to the DVLA website if you live in England, Wales or Scotland. For drivers living in Northern Ireland, there is a separate service available through the nidirect website.
For the online renewal process, you will need a valid UK passport, card details to make the payment fee (unless you are over 70 years old or have a medical short period licence), your residential addresses for the last 3 years, your current driving licence and your National Insurance number.
The DVLA will use the photo from your current, digital passport if you have one. If you don’t have a digital passport or you don’t want the photo on your passport to be used, you can send a photo in the post with a renewal application.
It costs £14 to renew your licence online.
Your renewed driving licence should arrive within 1 week. Once received, you should send your old photocard to the DVLA.
Post Office
To renew your driving licence at the Post Office, you should present the DVLA reminder letter and your photocard driving licence at the counter. You will need to pay the relevant fee for the service. Currently, the total Post Office charge is £21.50, which is made up of the DVLA fee (£17) and a fee to take your photograph (£4.50). The Post Office will submit your application to DLVA for you.
Your new driving licence should arrive within 3 weeks.
Note that not all Post Office branches offer the driving licence renewal service.
By post
Order the D1 form through the DVLA or the Post Office. When you send off the completed D1 form to the DVLA, you should include a recent passport photo, your current photocard driving licence and a cheque or postal order for the relevant fee, payable to DVLA, unless you are over 70 years old or have a medical short period licence.
Your new driving licence should arrive at your given address within 3 weeks.
How to renew your driving licence if you are 70 or older
Once you turn 70 years of age, you must renew your driving licence every 3 years. There will, however, be no fee payable to renew.
You must still be resident in the UK, meet the minimum eyesight requirement and there must be no other reasons that would prevent you from driving, such as a medical condition or where the standard of your driving is deemed unsafe.
You may apply online or through the post.
Should you apply online, you must first register an email address with the DVLA, along with details of where you have lived for the last 3 years, your National Insurance number and a valid UK passport number.
Why does a photocard driving licence only last for 10 years?
For drivers under 70 years of age, it is necessary to renew your driving licence every 10 years to account for changes in appearance, ensuring that the police have a recent likeness should they need to identify you.
Keeping an up to date photograph of you may also help prevent fraud and identity theft.
If your appearance has not altered since your last photocard, it is acceptable to provide a passport photo with no certification.
However, if your appearance has changed, the new photo must be certified by an authorised person such as a solicitor by way of their signature on the back of the photo.
Other reasons to renew or update your driving licence
In addition to licence expiry, there are a number of other circumstances which require you to renew or update your driving licence:
- updating your paper driving licence to a photocard where your paper licence was issued after 1998
- change of address
- change of name
- replace lost or stolen driving licence
- replace driving licence damaged to an extent that it is not legible or usable
- your appearance has changed to an extent that you cannot be identified from your previous photo
Should you hold a paper driving licence that was issued before 1998 and it still holds up to date information such as your address, you generally won’t need to renew your licence until you are 70 years old unless one of the above scenarios apply.
You may, however, choose to upgrade your driving licence to a photocard at any time as a widely accepted form of identification.
Speeding fines FAQs
What happens when my driving licence expires?
If you're found driving without a valid driving licence, you risk a penalty fine of £1,000. In addition, without a valid driving licence, your insurance cover does not apply and you will be unable to make a claim if you are involved in a car accident. Driving a car without insurance is an offence in the UK.
Can you drive if your driving licence has expired?
DVLA advises that you are allowed to continue driving while your renewal application is pending, provided certain conditions are met.
What happens if my UK driving licence expires?
If your driving licence has expired, you could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000. Although the DVLA will send you a reminder letter before your driving licence expires, it is your responsibility to ensure that your driving licence is valid.
How long do you have to renew your drivers license after it expires UK?
If you are late renewing your driving licence, it is at the discretion of the DVLA as to whether they will impose a fine.
However, if over two years have passed since your driving licence expired, you could face an order to retake your driving test.
Legal disclaimer
The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.
FAQs
How long can your license be expired in NJ? ›
There is no grace period for New Jersey driver's licenses. You are allotted seven months prior to your license's expiration in order to complete a renewal. Once your license is expired, it is considered invalid, however, you will still be able to renew it in person.
How do I renew my expired NJ drivers license? ›- 6 points of ID. ...
- Proof of address.
- A $24 fee for a standard license to be paid at the agency by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order (payable to NJMVC).
- Additional fee is required for added endorsements or classes.
- Schedule your renewal appointment online.
This is done on certain occasions. If your license has been expired for over 3 years, you must retake the vision, written and driving tests.
How long do you have to renew your license in Iowa after it expires? ›Your license expires on the expiration date printed on the license. The license is valid for driving for an additional 60 days after the expiration date. You may be able to renew your Iowa driver's license online if you meet certain requirements.
Can you drive with an expired license New Jersey? ›You face a maximum fine of $541, possible surcharge of $100 for three years, 15 days in jail, but NO loss of license (or the opportunity to get a license) for 180 days. The more often you are convicted of this charge the more likely you will go to jail.
Why won t nj let me renew my license online? ›Why? You may NOT be eligible to renew your license online if… Your license expired beyond the approved extension period • Your license has been suspended • Your license has a Temporary Visa Restriction (TVR) • Your license is a CDL You can renew your license in-person at a Licensing Center.
Can I walk into DMV for license renewal NJ? ›You do not need an appointment for any of the following, which can be done on a walk-in basis at any Licensing Center. License/ID replacements, or changes of address can be done online at NJMVC.gov. Hours of operation (except holidays): Monday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Can I renew my ID online if it's expired NJ? ›ID can be renewed if you want to save a trip to the VHC, and online renewal options are also available to eligible individuals. If you plan to renew in any method other than walk in be sure to allow plenty of time for the processing of your renewal application and for the new ID to be mailed to you.
Is there a no fee for license renewal in NJ? ›NEW JERSEY — Renewal fees for driver licenses and non-driver identifications will be waived for a year, effective Oct. 1, thanks to the 2022-2023 state budget and legislation signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Does NJ license expire on your birthday? ›In the past, licenses expire on the last day of the month every four years. Under the new law Christie signed (S2564), they will expire on the driver's birthday every four years.
What do you need to renew your license in New Jersey? ›
- 6 points of ID. ...
- Proof of address.
- A $24 fee for a standard license to be paid at the agency by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order (payable to NJMVC).
- Additional fee is required for added endorsements or classes.
- Schedule your renewal appointment online.
How long do I have to wait to be re-tested if I fail my road test? You must wait at least 14 days to be re-tested. How many times can I fail the test before I have to pay another $125 fee?
Can I fly with an expired ID? ›TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. Learn more about REAL ID on TSA's REAL ID webpage.
At what age do seniors have to take a driving test in Iowa? ›Iowa. All drivers aged 72 and older must renew their license every two years. Drivers aged 70 and older must take a vision test at every license renewal. You may also be asked to take a written knowledge test.
What does it cost to renew an Iowa drivers license? ›How Much Does License Renewal Cost? Upon renewing your Iowa driver's license, you will be charged $32, or $4 per year that your license will be active.
How long can one drive with an expired license? ›Driving with an expired license is illegal because states rely on obtaining updated driver information and ensuring your continued ability to drive safely. Though a few states provide drivers a grace period to complete driver's license renewals after expiration, the period generally lasts for less than 30 days.
What is the penalty for driving with an expired license in New Jersey? ›Penalties for Driving Without a License in New Jersey
For driving with an expired license, you can face fines up to $500 and up to 2 months in prison.
The fine for no documents in possession in NJ will generally be $150, and may be waived if you produce your credentials at the time of the court appearance. This is often the ticket given for expired driver's licenses.
How long does it take to get your NJ license renewal in the mail? ›Simply complete the renewal form, enclose your check or money order* with the appropriate fee and drop it in the mail. A new driver's license or non-driver ID, featuring the existing photo and signature on file with the MVC, will be mailed to you within 10 business days after receipt of your payment.
What is the easiest state to get a driver's license in? ›South Dakota was ranked as the easiest, while Arkansas was ranked No. 3 after Ohio. Kentucky had the seventh highest drivers test standards, while Indiana had the 24th toughest standards in the U.S.
How long does it take to get a real ID license in NJ? ›
If you renew your license and do not opt for Real ID at that point you have to get a separate appointment to upgrade to Real ID. For a checklist of Real ID requirements go here. It can take over a month to get a Real ID appointment, and may require traveling long distances, said Connolly.
Does NJMVC accept walk-ins? ›Walk-ins are only allowed for first time licenses/IDs/permits, name changes, and red decals at Licensing Centers. Other MVC transactions that can't be completed online require an appointment that customers need to schedule at NJMVC.gov.
Where do I go to renew my drivers license in New Jersey? ›You can renew your license in person by visiting any New Jersey DMV office. Be sure to have your 6 Points of Identification and proof of address. If you received a renewal form in the mail, complete it before going to the DMV, or pick up a form at the office.
Is Real ID mandatory in NJ? ›Is Real ID mandatory? State vs. federal: You are not required to get Real ID. A standard driver's license or non-driver identification card can still be used to drive in New Jersey, but it will no longer be a valid form of federal identification.
Can I get a NJ Real ID when I renew my driver's license? ›REAL ID is available at two types of appointments: A license or non-driver ID renewal appointment for customers with licenses/IDs expiring within three months; or. A REAL ID (non-renewal) appointment for customers with licenses/IDs expiring later.
How do I check the status of my license in New Jersey? ›How to check the status of your license in New Jersey. The easiest way to find out if your New Jersey driver's license is suspended is to call the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission at 609-292-6500 or 1-888-486-3339.
How much is a non-driver ID in NJ? ›Obtaining a non-driver identification card
Pay the $24 fee. For your convenience, the MVC accepts American Express® card, MasterCard®, Visa® card, Discover card®, checks, money orders and cash. Your new non-driver ID will be mailed to you.
Bring your signed application form, 6 points of ID, and $10 fee (credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order) to the licensing center.
How do I get a real ID appointment in NJ? ›Applicants can go to realidnj.com and enter their zip code to see which available agency is closest to them and make an appointment.
Does NJ DMV have senior hours? ›Vehicle Centers Hold 2-4PM Tuesday/Thursday for Customers 65+
Can I get a NJ driver's license online? ›
If you qualify for online replacement of your driver license you MUST replace it online. You can get a duplicate license or non-driver ID as a replacement if yours was lost, stolen or destroyed; or if you have changed your address.
What tests are required to obtain a NJ license? ›- Vision test.
- Knowledge test.
- Road test.
What is Georgia's Grace Period for an Expired License? A drivers license in Georgia may be renewed up to 150 days before the expiration date. If your driver's license has expired, you are allowed a 2 year grace period to renew it.
What are the 6 points for NJ license? ›- At least one Primary Document.
- At least one Secondary Document.
- A verifiable Social Security Number (SSN), or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or a letter of ineligibility for an SSN from the Social Security Administration (SSA) ...
- Proof of address.
A copy of the customer's driver's license or non-driver identification card; and. Proof of new address in the form of a recent mailing, such as a utility bill.
How do I renew my NJ ID online? ›- Zip code.
- Driver's license number.
- Social security number (SSN).
- Email address.
- Credit card information for payment. The MVC accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards.
The test will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Backup cameras and parking sensors that have been installed on a motor vehicle are permitted to be used during a road test.
How many mistakes are allowed on driving test NJ? ›Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent. You're allowed to make 15 minor mistakes on your driving test. However, if you make one serious error—anything that endangers you or other drivers—you could fail immediately.
Is parallel parking on the driving test in NJ? ›At most all New Jersey testing sites, the road test will start in the parking lot, where you'll be asked to parallel park and perform your 3-point turn. After these maneuvers, you'll head out to the road* to do the remainder of the test in actual traffic.
Can I still fly in the US without a REAL ID? ›Are you REAL ID ready? On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
How can I board a plane without ID? ›
Building a strong case to fly without an ID
A credit card, a business card with your photo on it, mail or prescription medication with your name and address on the label, voter registration or even a library card can build a stronger argument for you during the identification verification process.
The officer will insert each photo ID into the CAT unit where the ID is scanned and analyzed. CAT is linked electronically to the Secure Flight database, which confirms travelers' flight details, ensuring they are ticketed for travel that day.
What is the oldest person to pass a driving test? ›Taking your driving test is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences a person can go through. But after eight decades on the road, one 105-year-old woman shows no signs of slowing down.
Can you drive around for 6 months before you must get your license renewed? ›You need to renew your license before it expires or potentially face consequences in every single state, so really there is no amount of time you can spend driving without renewing your license.
What documents do I need to renew my driver's license in Iowa? ›You will need your current driver's license or ID card and a credit or debit card at your fingertips to complete the process. Fees will include your driver's license or ID card renewal fee plus a $1.50 online processing fee.
What do I need to get the star on my driver's license in Iowa? ›To meet the federal requirements, you will have to bring documents that prove your identity and date of birth, social security number, and Iowa residence and residential address. It doesn't cost more to get a REAL ID license or ID. If you're renewing your license or ID, the renewal fee is the same.
How long after birthday can I renew my Iowa license? ›Your Iowa license expires on your birthday. It is valid for driving for an additional 60 days. It can be renewed within one year of the expiration date without having to take the knowledge test.
How do I get a driver's license renewal appointment in Iowa? ›Contact us by email (omcs@iowadot.us) or call us at 515-237-3268 to receive an appointment time if you are not able to schedule an appointment at the link below. NOTE: Title and registration applications and registration renewals for individuals and businesses are handled directly by county treasurer offices.
Can I walk into NJ DMV for license renewal? ›You do not need an appointment for any of the following, which can be done on a walk-in basis at any Licensing Center. License/ID replacements, or changes of address can be done online at NJMVC.gov. Hours of operation (except holidays): Monday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
How long can you drive with an expired license in NY? ›In the state of New York, the fines for driving with an expired license can range anywhere from $25-$40 if your license had expired within 60 days of your stop. If your license has been expired for more than 60 days, then your fine could range from $75-$300.
Is there a grace period for expired license in MA? ›
You can renew your license up to 2 years after expiration. If your license has been expired more than 2 years, you will be required to take the learner's permit exam and road test.
Is there a grace period for expired license in CT? ›What is the Grace Period for an Expired Driver's License in Connecticut? While you can take up to two years to renew your license, you cannot drive with an expired license. If you are caught, it will be considered an infraction with a fee between $75 to $90.
How much is a driving without a license ticket in New Jersey? ›39:3-10, which tells us that the penalty for driving without a license in New Jersey (with proof of prior license) is a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for up to 60 days. The penalty for driving without a license in New Jersey (no prior license in any jurisdiction) is a fine of at least $200.
How long do tickets stay on your record in NJ? ›A speeding ticket in New Jersey will remain on your permanent driving record but you can reduce your points by remaining violation and suspension-free for one year or taking an approved driving course.
What happens if you forget your license and get pulled over NJ? ›First-time offenses are punishable by a $500 fine, as well as a license suspension for up to 6 months. Those facing a second offense can be charged a $750 fine, an extended license suspension up to 6 additional months, and possible jail time of up to 5 days.
Where can I renew my NJ drivers license? ›You can renew your license in person by visiting any New Jersey DMV office. Be sure to have your 6 Points of Identification and proof of address. If you received a renewal form in the mail, complete it before going to the DMV, or pick up a form at the office.
What are the 6 points of real ID in NJ? ›- At least one Primary Document.
- At least one Secondary Document.
- A verifiable Social Security Number (SSN), or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or a letter of ineligibility for an SSN from the Social Security Administration (SSA) ...
- Proof of address.
Price tag: The Real ID costs $35, which is $11 more than a standard New Jersey license or ID, but not all Real ID charges are the same. Expirations: Drivers who make an appointment for within three months of the expiration date on their current license pay $35, and their Real ID will be good for four years.