So you’ve got a driving licence? While you’ll no doubt be glad to have gotten past all the effort of getting one, there are still plenty of questions you may have. Just one of those questions, for instance, might be what first car to buy.
But even if you’ve had your licence for a while, you may not be aware of needs to be done if certain changes are required to it. What if you change address? Or change your name? Or you’re looking to drive a hire car abroad? If you’re not sure about the answer to any of these, or you have other questions about your driving licence, then this is the guide for you.
Driving licence renewal
While you are in possession of a driving licence, there will come certain points of time when it will need renewing. It is important, however, to differentiate between renewing your licence photocard and the driving licence itself.
How much does it cost?
Nowadays it costs £14 to renew a driving licence photocard and you can arrange payment online with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing (DVLA) using a debit or credit card.
How long does a driving licence last for?
Typically, your licence photocard will need renewing every ten years, while the actual licence itself will not need renewing until you reach the age of 70. From that point, your licence will need renewing every three years.
Finding your driving licence number
The most obvious place to find your driving licence number is on the photocard. Your licence number is detailed next to ‘5.’, as explained on the back of the photocard.
If it’s currently not possible to look at your photocard, you could possibly find your licence number on your driving test pass certificate, or you could even try your theory test pass certificate.
Changing address on your licence
Your home address makes up part of your driving licence details, including on your photocard licence. If you move home, you’ll need to change your address details, which you can do so for free via the DVLA online.
What you need to do is apply for an updated licence using your Government Gateway ID. If you don’t have one of these, then you apply at motoring.direct.gov.uk.
Don’t forget, you’ll also need to update the V5C vehicle registration certificate for your car if it will be kept at your new address. If you don’t do this, then vehicle tax renewal letters will be sent to the old, wrong address, potentially leading to a fine.
You are allowed to drive on your existing licence while you are waiting for your new, updated licence to arrive.
Changing name on your licence
Planning on changing your name? Then you’ll need to change driving licence as soon as possible.
To update your photocard licence, order a D1 form (which covers cars and motorbikes) from the DVLA online, or from most Post Offices. Fill in the form and post it to the DVLA, along with your old photocard licence and any supporting documents. This process also applies if you need to change your title (e.g. from Mr to Dr), but you may not need to supply evidence for a title change.
If you can’t send your old licence, then you must declare that it has been lost, stolen or destroyed in your form.
In case you’re wondering, it is possible to get the name on your licence changed while you’re disqualified from driving. You have to send a letter to the DLVA with your old and new names, date of birth and driving licence number (if possible).
Changing the photo on your licence
To change the picture on your card, you will have to renew your driving licence. You can do so by using your Government Gateway ID in the same manner mentioned above. When applying online it’s possible to provide your passport details and use the photo from that if you want.
The DVLA will use an electronic copy of your passport photo if your licence is due to expire within two years. If the DVLA don’t have suitable electronic photo available, they will let you know. You’ll then have to print a form and send it to the DVLA with a new photograph.
Hiring a company/hire car
Up until recently, getting insured on a company car or hire car required drivers to show their photocard and paper counterpart licence to whichever company was providing the vehicle. This is no longer the case.
Since the 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart of the driving licences has been made obsolete. Everything it covered is now taken care of by the DVLA’s online service. If you want to hire a company/hire car now, you will need to log in to this service and get a check code which you can share with the company providing the car.
You can log into the DVLA’s service at any time by filling in your driving licence number, your National Insurance number and your postcode. You’ll be taken to a page where you can view certain information about your licence and request a check code. The check code provided will be valid for 72 hours.
If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t provide a check code online, because of no nearby internet access for instance, then don’t panic. Alternatively, you can give the company you are renting a car from permission to contact the DVLA by phone to check relevant licence details. Just be wary of any international call charges or extra service costs this could create.
What if my driving licence gets lost?
If your driving licence gets lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed at any time then just apply for a replacement using your Government Gateway ID. You’ll have to pay £20 with a debit or credit card, provide your address. You can’t get a replacement if you’re disqualified from driving.
If it has specifically been stolen then you should report this to the police right away.
If you find your old driving licence again after you’ve applied or received a replacement, then you will have to send this back to the DVLA and explain to them what’s happened.
