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Renewing your photocard driving licence

DVLA will send you, 90 days before your licence is due to expire, a D42 ‘driver licence expiry reminder and application form’ and a medical questionnaire relevant to you. For the renewal of a larger vehicle, minibus or bus entitlement you’ll be sent a D48 ‘application for renewal of lorry/bus entitlement’.

You’ll need to:

• complete the D42 or D48 form
• complete the medical questionnaire
• include a new passport type photo if necessary
• send your documents in the prepaid envelope provided

You don’t need to enclose any identification, or fee. You’ll also be sent a driving licence photo renewal form if your photo is due for renewal.

Change of name

If your name has changed since your last licence was issued, you’ll also need to complete the D1 ‘application for a driving licence’. The D1 form is available from DVLA's form ordering service or Post Office® branches. You must also enclose original documentation confirming your change of name.

• DVLA form ordering service (opens new window)
• Identity documents and photograph criteria

What to do if you don't receive your forms

If, for any reason, you don’t receive the reminder application forms, you can do one of the following:

• complete a D1 application form and the medical questionnaire relevant to you

• If you are applying for or currently hold a car or motorcycle licence (group one)
• If you are applying for or currently hold a large goods vehicle or passenger carrying vehicle (group two)
• DVLA form ordering service (opens new window)

 

You’ll also need to check the expiry date of your photo on your driving licence. The expiry date of your photo is shown in section 4b on the front of your driving licence. If it expires within the next two months it’ll need to be renewed straight away.

When to expect your licence

DVLA aims to complete its enquiries as quickly as possible. The time taken to deal with your particular case will depend on your medical condition and the information needed. When the decision can be made based on the information you originally provided, DVLA aims to make a decision on 88 per cent of cases within 15 working days.

If any other information is needed, from you, your doctor, or other sources, or if you are applying for a lorry or bus licence, DVLA aim to make a decision on 85 per cent of cases within 90 working days.

If the enquiries take longer than the target times set out above, DVLA will write to you to explain what is happening.

DVLA contact

Drivers Medical Group
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1TU

More useful information

When your licence is issued it’ll have a number of added security features. One of the main differences is a laser engraved black and white photograph.

• New photocard driving licence