Renewing Your Driving Licence When It Expires at Age 70

In the UK, it’s obligatory for you to renew your driving licence as you approach your 70th birthday. If you don’t renew it before you turn 70, your licence will expire and you won’t be able to legally drive until the issue is resolved. Failing to take action in time could lead to legal trouble, so it’s important not to ignore this responsibility.

In this guide, we’re going to explore why it’s necessary to renew your licence when you’re an older driver, how you can do this, and what to expect during the process. Read on to find out more.

In This Guide:

• Why You Need to Renew Your Driving Licence at 70
• How to Renew Your Driving Licence
• What You Need to Include in Your Renewal
• Receiving your New Driving Licence
• Staying Insured
• To conclude…

Why You Need to Renew Your Driving Licence at 70

The renewal process for older drivers is in place to ensure that you are safe to drive, so that you’re not putting yourself or anyone else at risk of an accident. It is ultimately to check that you’re still capable of driving to the necessary standard, as your health and vision can deteriorate over time, impacting your ability behind the wheel. 

It is a legal requirement for you to renew your licence around the age of 70 years old if you wish to continue driving. The DVLA should be in touch with you around 90 days before your 70th birthday to remind you to renew your licence, along with instructions on how to do so. If you don’t comply, continuing to drive when your licence is no longer valid could lead to serious repercussions, such as fines, penalties, or car seizure. 

This renewal process will take place every three years going forward after you turn 70, to make sure that you’re always safe to drive. 

How to Renew Your Driving Licence

As mentioned, around three months before your licence expires, the DVLA will send you a D46P application form, so make sure to keep an eye out for the reminder in the post to renew in good time. If you don’t receive this, a D1 form can be picked up from most Post Office branches. These forms both serve the same purpose, the main difference is just how you obtain them. 

Then, there are then two main ways for you to renew your driving licence: either online or through the post. Here’s a more detailed look at each:

• Online 

The most efficient way to renew your licence is through the DVLA website with your Government Gateway ID to log in - if you don’t have one of these, don’t worry, you can create one for this purpose. Before you apply, gather your current driving licence, your National Insurance number, and a passport to help you with the renewal process.

• Through the post

If you’d rather, you can also renew your driving licence through the post. You can do this with the D46P application form. If you haven’t received this form, you can order one through the DVLA. You simply have to fill it out along with the necessary supporting documents, such as your passport photo if you need an updated picture. 

Renewing in Northern Ireland

The rules are slightly different when it comes to renewing your licence in Northern Ireland. Firstly, your renewal is managed by The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) instead of the DVLA. You can renew by post using the form DL1, available from post offices in Northern Ireland. Alternatively, you can call the DVA if you’d rather go through the process over the phone.

What You Need to Include in Your Renewal

No matter which way you decide on renewing your licence, you need to be prepared to provide the following:

• Medical declaration

When renewing your licence, you must declare that you’re fit to drive from a medical perspective. This means confirming that you don’t have any medical conditions that could impair your driving ability, whether it’s a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease or a physical condition such as severe arthritis.

Good eyesight is also vital for you to drive safely without putting yourself or others at risk. You must be able to read another car’s number plate from 20 metres away. It’s okay if you need glasses or contact lenses for this, just as long as you always wear these when you drive. 

• Proof of your identity

It’s wise to have on hand documents to prove your identity, such as your current passport, driving licence, and even a utility letter with your name and address on. You’ll most likely need at least one of these so having them at the ready when you renew your licence means you can provide all the information you need quickly and easily.

Once you’re happy with your application, all you have left to do is submit it and wait until you hear back.

Receiving your New Driving Licence

Typically, it takes less than a month for your new driving licence to arrive. However, this can depend if you don’t provide enough information in your application or if the DVLA needs to get in touch with you. That’s why it’s so important that you enter the information carefully and double-check it. If you do notice any errors once the application is submitted, get in touch with the DVLA as soon as you can to fix the problem.

Staying Insured

Aside from renewing your licence at 70, something else you need to keep in mind as an older driver is of course car insurance. As you get into your later years, finding good value cover that ticks all the boxes can be a bit trickier as older drivers can often be charged more for their premiums purely based on their age, even if they have an unblemished driving record and full no claims. That’s why, it can be a good idea to find insurers that specialise in providing cover for older drivers, such as those aged over 80, as what they offer could be better suited to what you need. 

To conclude…

Renewing your licence when you’re nearing the age of 70, and every three years after that, is necessary for you to drive legally in the UK. It’s a straightforward process, but try to do it with plenty of time to spare once you receive the instructions three months prior to your birthday. This will allow you plenty of time to receive your new licence if you wish to continue driving. Plus, this is a good time to assess your car insurance to make sure you have the best-fitting cover for your age.