Renewing your driving licence at 70 years old – here’s all the information you need to know to remain driving – and stay legal

Turning 70? Here’s Your 2025 Guide to Renewing Your UK Driving Licence

If you are approaching your 70th birthday and plan to continue driving, it’s time to prepare for renewing your driving licence. In the UK, all standard driving licences expire when you reach the age of 70, and driving with an expired licence is illegal. This comprehensive guide will explain exactly what happens at 70, how to renew your licence (both by post and online), and what new rules are coming in 2025, all in a friendly, easy-to-read format. Read on to learn how to stay safe and legal on the road as an older driver.

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What happens when I reach 70?

All full driving licences expire at the age of 70, no matter how long they were valid for originally. This means that once you turn 70, you must apply to renew your licence if you want to keep driving. After renewal, your licence will be valid for a maximum of three years at a time, and you’ll need to renew it again every three years (at 73, 76, 79, and so on) to stay licensed.

If your 70th birthday passes and you have not renewed, you are no longer legally licensed to drive. Continuing to drive on an expired licence is a serious offence; your insurance would be invalid, and you could face heavy penalties. Fortunately, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) helps make sure you don’t forget to renew. The DVLA will send you a reminder and an application form (known as form D46P) about 90 days before your 70th birthday. You’ll get similar reminders every three years for subsequent renewals. However, these reminders will only reach you if the DVLA has your current address, so be sure to update your driving licence when you move home; failing to do so can lead to fines of up to £1,000.

Do I have to remember to contact the DVLA?

No, the DVLA will contact you in advance of your 70th birthday. About three months before you turn 70, they automatically send you the D46P renewal form. This gives you plenty of time to send off your application so that your new licence arrives before your current one expires. If you don’t receive the form or misplace it, don’t worry. You can pick up a D1 application for a driving licence form at most Post Office branches and use that to renew. The key is to be proactive and not wait until the last minute.

Even though the DVLA will send reminders, it’s still a good idea to mark your calendar for your 70th and each 3-year renewal cycle. Make sure your address is up to date on your licence so the reminders go to the right place. (You can update your address with the DVLA online or by post at any time, and it’s free to do so.) As long as your details are current, you can rely on the DVLA’s reminder as a prompt to renew.

Do I have to physically retake my test?

Not at all. Reaching 70 does not mean you have to retake the driving test, the renewal process is about updating paperwork and ensuring you meet the medical standards for driving, not re-examining your driving skills. However, you will need to confirm that you still meet certain health and vision requirements to continue driving safely.

Eyesight requirements at 70

Like drivers of any age, you must meet the DVLA’s minimum eyesight standard for driving. This includes being able to read a standard car number plate from 20 metres away (you can wear glasses or contacts if you need them). In practice, 20 metres is roughly the length of five parked cars. You also need a visual acuity of at least 0.5 (6/12) on the Snellen scale (again, with corrective lenses allowed) using both eyes together, or one eye if you only have sight in one. Additionally, you should have an adequate field of vision (your optician can test this for you). There’s no special new eye exam just because you turned 70; you simply must ensure your vision still meets these existing driving standards.

2025 update, mandatory eye tests coming: The government has announced plans to introduce compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70, expected from autumn 2025. This means that in the near future, drivers in this age group will need to provide proof of a recent eye test when renewing. As of now, this rule isn’t in effect yet, but it’s wise to have regular eye tests (free on the NHS every two years for over-60s) to keep tabs on your vision.

Medical conditions and DVLA notification

When renewing, you will be asked to declare any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive. The renewal form (whether online or paper) includes a medical questionnaire where you must tick off any relevant health conditions and confirm that you meet the vision standard. It’s very important to answer these questions honestly. By law, you must inform the DVLA of any “notifiable” conditions or disabilities, not only at renewal, but whenever they develop. Failing to report a condition that affects your driving can result in a fine (up to £1,000) and even prosecution if an accident occurs related to your undisclosed health issue.

So what conditions need to be reported? The DVLA provides a full A-to-Z list, but some common examples include epilepsy, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, diabetes treated with insulin, serious heart problems, neurological conditions (like multiple sclerosis), and significant vision impairment. Having one of these conditions doesn’t automatically bar you from driving; it just means the DVLA needs to review your fitness to drive and may impose certain requirements (such as more frequent renewals or a doctor’s note). In some cases, the DVLA might ask you to undergo a medical examination or provide a report from your GP or consultant as part of the renewal. But there isn’t a blanket “medical test” for all drivers at 70, you only need to follow up if the DVLA specifically requests it based on the health information you provide.

How much will it cost to renew my licence?

Here’s some good news: renewing your driving licence at 70 is free. Unlike many things in life, there is no fee for a standard over-70 licence renewal; the DVLA does not charge for renewing your licence when you hit 70 or for any three-year renewals after that. Be cautious of unofficial websites that claim to handle the renewal but charge a service fee. Always use the official DVLA channels (online or by post) to ensure you aren’t paying anything for your renewal.

If you’re renewing online, the process itself is free, and if you’re renewing by post, there’s no fee either. The only potential cost would be if you need a new passport-style photo (for example, if you still have a paper licence or your existing photo is out of date). Getting a passport-style photograph might cost a few pounds at a photo booth or shop, but there’s no charge to submit it to DVLA for the renewal. In short: DVLA renewals for over-70s are £0. (For reference, even drivers under 70 pay nothing to renew a photocard licence at its normal 10-year expiry; the fee was eliminated some years ago for online renewals, and over-70s have never been charged.)

Will I be able to keep my paper licence?

No, if you’re still carrying one of the old-style green or pink paper driving licences, be aware that renewing at 70 will swap it out for a modern photocard licence. The DVLA stopped issuing paper licences many years ago, so your renewal will come in the form of a photocard with your photo and updated details. As part of the postal application, you’ll need to include a current passport-style photograph so they can produce your new photocard. The DVLA will send your shiny new photocard licence and will no longer reissue a paper-only licence. (If you had a photocard licence already, the renewed licence will just be an updated photocard with a new expiration date and possibly an updated photo.)

Don’t worry about the old paper licence; you should destroy it (through shredding or cutting it up) once you receive the new photocard, and keep the photocard safe. The photocard licence will be valid for the next three years (or until age 73) and will display your driver number, categories, and the new expiry date. All licence holders now need to have a photocard; the paper counterpart is obsolete.

Will I have to take a new photo and send it in to the DVLA?

Not necessarily. If you renew online and have a valid UK passport, you won’t need to send in a physical photo because the DVLA can securely use your passport photo for your driving licence. During the online application, you’ll be given the option to allow the DVLA to retrieve your photo from the passport database. This is the quickest and easiest way, meaning you skip the hassle of getting a paper photo. Most people choose this option as long as their passport photo is recent and resembles their current appearance.

If you don’t have a passport or prefer not to use the passport photo, you can still apply online, but you’ll be instructed on how to supply a new passport-style photograph (often, the DVLA sends a form or email with details on where to post your photo after the online application). Alternatively, if you are applying by post with the D46P or D1 form, you should include a recent passport-sized photo in the envelope. The form comes with instructions for attaching the photo. Even drivers with an existing photocard licence will typically need to provide an updated photograph at age 70, especially if the photo on your last licence is over 10 years old. This is to ensure your ID is up to date.

In summary: online renewal + passport = no need to send a photo. If you have no passport or you’re using the paper form, you will need to provide a photo. Either way, make sure any photo you use meets the DVLA’s requirements (plain background, clear view of your face, no hats or sunglasses, etc.). The good news is that once you’ve submitted everything, you won’t have to do photos again for another three years when the next renewal is due (unless your appearance changes significantly and you choose to update it sooner).

Renewing my licence with the D46P application form (by post)

One way to renew is the traditional postal application. When the time comes, you’ll receive the DVLA’s D46P form in the post (sent automatically 90 days before your 70th birthday). Here’s how to use it:

Complete the D46P form with all the required details. It will ask for confirmation of your personal details and include the medical declaration we discussed (where you note any medical conditions and affirm you meet the vision standards).
Prepare your identification items: The form will tell you what to include. If you have a photocard licence, you might need to enclose your current photocard (since it will be replaced) and possibly a new passport-style photograph if required. If you only have the old paper licence, you should send that in with a passport-style photo. Essentially, return your current licence to DVLA along with the form.
Mail everything to DVLA in the envelope provided (or to the address specified on the form). Double-check that you’ve signed the form and included any necessary pieces (photo, old licence). It’s wise to use a secure postage method or at least keep a copy of your form and licence number for reference.
Wait for your new licence to arrive. Postal applications can take a bit of time, usually up to three weeks for DVLA to process and send out your new licence. If the DVLA needs to check any of your medical or personal details, it could take a little longer, but generally, three weeks is the guideline.

You can send the postal application up to 90 days (3 months) before you turn 70. Many people do this to ensure there’s no gap in their licence validity. If you apply early, your new licence will be issued but will only become valid from your 70th birthday (you won’t lose any time by renewing early).

What if you don’t get the D46P form or you accidentally throw it out? No problem, just pick up a D1 “Application for Driving Licence” form from a Post Office branch that deals with DVLA services. The D1 form is essentially the generic licence application form and can be used for over-70 renewals. The process with the D1 is the same: fill it in, attach any required photos, and send it with your old licence.

Note: If you have a C1 or D1 licence entitlement (these are categories for medium-sized trucks or minibuses, often automatically held by drivers who got their licence before 1997), you cannot renew those online, you must use a postal application and you will be required to meet higher medical standards (including submitting a D4 medical examination report signed by a doctor). The DVLA will provide instructions for this if it applies to you. If you choose not to renew the C1/D1 categories (for example, you no longer need to drive larger vehicles and don’t want the bother of a medical exam), your new licence at 70 will simply omit those categories. All your standard car and light vehicle categories will remain.

Renewing my licence using the online system

Renewing online is quick, convenient, and free. The official DVLA online service allows drivers aged 70 and over (or within 90 days of their 70th birthday) to renew their licence via the internet. To use the online system, you will need a few things handy:

An email address. This is used to register for the online service and for DVLA to send you confirmations.
Your addresses from the last 3 years. The DVLA needs a record of where you’ve lived recently for identity verification.
Your National Insurance number (if you know it). This helps confirm your identity, but it isn’t mandatory if you don’t have it available.
A valid UK passport number, but only if you want to update your licence photo. If you plan to use your passport photo for the licence (as most do), have your passport number ready. If you don’t have a passport or don’t want to use its photo, you can still apply online; you’ll just follow the prompts to submit a photo separately, as mentioned earlier.

To begin, go to the official GOV.UK webpage for renewing a driving licence at 70, and click “Start now”, this will take you to the secure DVLA service. You’ll go through a series of pages to enter your personal details, driver number (from your licence), and the information listed above. At the end, you’ll have a chance to review and confirm everything before applying electronically.

Advantages of renewing online: The online system is typically faster than the post. In fact, the DVLA estimates you’ll receive your new licence within one week if you apply online. Many seniors also appreciate not having to go to the post office or worry about mail times. You’ll get a confirmation email once your application is received by DVLA, so you know it’s in progress. And of course, doing it online means no postage costs and no chance of documents getting lost in the mail.

Be cautious to use the official DVLA website (the gov.uk site) for your renewal. There are third-party websites that mimic official services and charge a fee to “process” your application; these are unnecessary. The government service will never charge an over-70 driver a fee for renewal, so any request for payment (aside from optional services like a driving licence check & send at the Post Office) is a red flag.

If you live in Northern Ireland, the process is slightly different; you’ll renew through the DVA/NIDirect system, not DVLA. The online renewal in NI is on the nidirect.gov.uk site, or you can use the DL1R form that DVA sends you. For residents of England, Scotland, or Wales (Great Britain), use the DVLA’s online service as described.

Can I keep driving while the DVLA has my licence?

A common concern is whether you’re allowed to continue driving during the period after you’ve sent off your application but before your new licence arrives. The answer is yes, you usually can, provided you meet a few conditions set by the DVLA:

Your doctor supports your decision to continue driving. In other words, if you have a medical condition, your GP should not have advised against driving.
Your last licence was valid and not revoked or refused. You must have held a valid driving licence that you’ve submitted for renewal. If your licence was previously taken away or an application refused on medical grounds, this exception wouldn’t apply.
You only drive under the conditions of your previous licence. This means you stick to the vehicle categories and any special restrictions you had before. (For example, don’t start driving a bus or motorbike if you weren’t licensed for those before!)
Your application is less than a year old. You must have sent in the renewal within the last 12 months and be awaiting a decision. It’s basically a grace period while DVLA processes things.
You’re not currently disqualified from driving. If you’ve been banned by a court or due to accumulating too many points, you cannot drive just because you applied for renewal.
You weren’t disqualified as a “high risk offender” after 1 June 2013. This is a specific category typically related to serious drink-driving offences. If it doesn’t ring a bell, it likely doesn’t apply to you.

If all the above statements are true, then the law allows you to keep driving while you wait for your new licence to come through. Essentially, as long as you’re in good standing and your doctor has no objections, turning 70 doesn’t have to park you at home while the paperwork is in progress.

However, if your previous licence had already expired (for example, if you forgot to send the renewal until after your 70th birthday and now the licence is lapsed), or if you have a condition that requires DVLA approval, you must wait until you receive the new licence before driving again. In practice, if you renew on time (anytime in the 90 days before 70 or immediately after turning 70), you shouldn’t need to stop driving. The DVLA’s processing is usually quick enough, and the law gives you up to a year to cover any admin delays. Just carry on driving safely under the same terms as before, and keep an eye on the mailbox for your new photocard.

When will I next need to renew my driving licence?

Once you’ve gone through the initial 70-year-old renewal, the process doesn’t stop, it repeats every three years from then on. The good news is that subsequent renewals at 73, 76, 79, etc., are much the same as the one you’ll do at 70: they’re free, and the DVLA will again send you a reminder and form a few months before each expiration. So long as you remain fit to drive, you can continue renewing indefinitely; there is no upper age limit for holding a driving licence in the UK.

Each renewed licence will be valid for a maximum of three years. The expiry date is shown on section 4b of your photocard licence. For example, if you renew at 70, your licence might expire the day before your 73rd birthday. You’d then renew to have it valid until just before your 76th birthday, and so on. Mark these dates down or keep the DVLA reminder letters, so you know when the next round is due.

One more important point: if at some point after 70 you develop a new medical condition (or an existing one worsens) that could affect your driving, don’t wait until the 3-year renewal to tell the DVLA. You should report it as soon as possible. The DVLA may decide to issue you a shorter licence (for example, a 1-year or 2-year licence) or put specific provisions in place to ensure you’re safe on the road. This is all part of keeping you and others safe. But in the absence of any new issues, just remember the three-year renewal cycle and enjoy your freedom to drive in your 70s and beyond!

FAQs

Can I renew my driving licence at 70 if I don’t have a UK passport?

Yes. A passport is not required to renew your licence; it’s just one convenient form of ID for the online process. If you don’t have a passport, you can still renew by post using the D46P/D1 form and include a passport-style photo and any other ID the form requests. Even for online renewal, a passport number is only needed if you want to import your passport photo for use on the licence. Without a passport, you can still complete the online application; the DVLA will give you instructions on how to submit a photo by mail. In short, no passport, no problem, just use the paper route or proceed online and send a photo. The renewal remains free and accessible to everyone at 70+, passport or not.

Will I lose my motorbike or other driving entitlements when I renew at 70?

In general, all the licence categories you already hold will be carried over to your renewed licence. You won’t suddenly lose your car entitlement or your motorcycle entitlement just because you turned 70. However, there is an exception for certain heavier vehicle categories. If you have a C1 (medium lorry up to 7.5 tonnes) or D1 (minibus) entitlement, the DVLA requires you to renew those with a physician’s medical report at 70 (and every three years thereafter). If you choose not to go through the medical process, those particular categories will not be included on your new licence. For example, many people who got their licence before 1997 have a C1 entitlement by default. At 70, you must submit a medical form (D4) to keep it. If you don’t, your new licence will drop C1 and be valid only for category B (cars) and other light vehicles.
For ordinary car and motorcycle licences, there’s no extra requirement; they should all continue seamlessly. It’s a good idea to check your new photocard when it arrives to ensure all the categories you expect are listed. If something is missing or seems incorrect, contact the DVLA. But rest assured, you won’t lose your right to ride a motorcycle or drive a car simply due to age. The only things that might lapse are those higher categories if not medically renewed. Always read the information that comes with your new licence to understand any codes or changes.

I renewed my licence shortly before turning 70. Do I need to renew again exactly on my 70th birthday?

No, you shouldn’t have to renew again immediately if you’ve already renewed within the 90 days before your 70th. The DVLA actually allows drivers approaching 70 to renew slightly early, if you’re within 90 days of your 70th birthday, an online renewal will be accepted and will produce a licence valid from your 70th birthday onward. In practice, some people end up renewing at 69 (for instance, due to a medical short-term licence) and wonder if they must do it all over when they hit 70. If your recent renewal resulted in a licence that is valid beyond your 70th birthday, that counts as your 70+ renewal.
Always check the expiry date (4b on the photocard) of your licence. If it expires on your 70th birthday, you need to renew. If it expires a couple of years later (because you renewed early under special circumstances), then you only renew when that date arrives. In cases of confusion, the DVLA help line can confirm if your renewal is needed. But the rule of thumb is: once you have a licence that says it’s valid until age 73 (70 + 3 years), you are all set. You won’t be required to renew on the day you turn 70 if you already hold a valid licence that extends past that date.

Do I need a medical or eye test to renew my licence at 70?

Currently, no general medical exam or eye test is required for a routine over-70 renewal. You simply fill out the self-declaration about your health and eyesight on the form. There isn’t a compulsory doctor’s check or driving test at 70. As long as you truthfully declare any medical conditions (and your doctor supports that you’re fit to drive), the process is straightforward. You will need to meet the vision standard (able to read a number plate at 20m, etc.), but you do not have to submit an eye test certificate; you just confirm that you can see well enough, and DVLA may follow up only if there’s a concern.
That said, you should be aware of upcoming changes. The government’s new road safety plan, expected to start in late 2025, will likely require drivers over 70 to provide proof of a recent eye test when renewing. If and when this rule comes into effect, you’d need to have an eyesight test (for example, at an optician) and submit evidence that you passed the test along with your renewal application. This is not in force as of the time of writing, but it’s on the horizon.
Aside from eyesight, the DVLA could ask for a medical report in specific cases, for example, if you have a condition like epilepsy or significant heart issues, they might request a doctor’s evaluation. Also, as mentioned, to retain heavy vehicle entitlements (C1/D1), a medical exam is required at 70. But for the average healthy driver, renewing at 70 is just paperwork. To summarise: no automatic medical exam for everyone, just the self-declared form. Keep an eye on the news for the future eye-test requirement, and in the meantime, ensure you get regular vision check-ups for your own safety.

How long does it take to get my new licence, and what should I do while waiting?

The speed of getting your renewed licence depends on how you apply. Online applications are usually processed very quickly, and many people receive their new photocard in about a week. It’s not unheard of to complete an online renewal on a Monday and have the new licence in hand before the next Monday. The DVLA gives a guideline of one week for online renewals, assuming there are no complications.
For postal applications, the process is a bit slower. You should allow for approximately three weeks for your new licence to arrive by mail. This accounts for postal delivery times and the manual processing at DVLA. If, after three weeks, you haven’t seen your new licence, you might contact DVLA to check on the status. Delays can happen if your form was incomplete or if DVLA has a query about your health information, etc., but that’s relatively rare.
The good news is, in most cases, you can continue driving while waiting for your new licence, as long as you meet the criteria we outlined earlier (your previous licence was valid, you’ve applied for renewal, you have no new disqualifications or medical revocations, etc.). Keep a copy of your postal application’s details or the confirmation email from the online system as proof that you’ve submitted the renewal. If, for some reason, a police officer asks about your licence, you can explain that it’s with DVLA for renewal. Generally, there’s a record on DVLA’s system that your licence is in the renewal process.
So, to recap: online = 1 week, by post = 3 weeks for the new licence to arrive. Plan accordingly; if you know a holiday or important trip is coming up, try to renew well in advance. And always ensure you’re eligible to keep driving while waiting (most people are). If your old licence had already expired, you’ll need to pause driving until the new one comes through. But if you timed it right, you won’t have to take any breaks from the road.