Change Driving Licence Photo UK: DVLA Guide
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Your photocard driving licence is not a document you keep forever in the same form. The photo on the front has a shelf life, and the DVLA expects you to refresh it at regular intervals so the image on the card still resembles the person holding it.
For most drivers this means a straightforward renewal once a decade, but the exact route you take depends on your circumstances, whether you hold a full or provisional licence, and whether anything else about your details has changed. This guide walks through the practical steps for getting a new photo onto your licence, what the DVLA will ask you for, and the situations where an online application simply will not work and you will need to send paperwork by post instead.
What this document is
A photocard driving licence shows a photograph of the holder on the front, and that image must be kept reasonably current. The rule in Great Britain is that the photo portion of the licence is renewed every ten years, separately from any renewal triggered by age or medical condition.
This is not the same as renewing your entitlement to drive, which runs on a different timeline for most drivers until age 70. The DVLA offers two main routes for a photo renewal. The online service is the quickest option for most people and pulls your photo and signature directly from the passport database, so you do not need to visit a photo booth.
The postal route uses form D1 (available from the Post Office) together with a new passport-style photograph that meets the DVLA's specifications. Not everyone qualifies for the online service, so it pays to check before you start.
How to use this document
- Check whether the online service is open to you. Before starting, confirm you live in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has its own driver agency), that you are not currently disqualified, and that you hold a valid UK passport the DVLA can draw your image from. If any of these do not apply, you will need to renew by post instead. 2. Gather the details you will need. Have your current driving licence number to hand, along with your passport number, your National Insurance number if you have one, and addresses covering the last three years. The online form asks for these in sequence, and having everything ready saves you from starting over if the session times out. 3. Complete the online renewal on gov.uk. Log in to the DVLA's photo renewal service and work through the questions on screen. You will confirm your identity, authorise the DVLA to reuse your passport photograph and signature, and pay the renewal fee by card. Check the current fee on gov.uk before you start, as holders aged 70 or over and some short-term medical licence holders are not charged. 4. Apply by post if you cannot use the online route. If your name or title has changed, if you hold a five-year bus or lorry licence, or if your passport photo cannot be used, you will need the D1 application form from a Post Office. Complete it, attach a recent passport-style photograph countersigned by someone who meets the DVLA's criteria, and send it with your current photocard to the address shown on the form. 5. Wait for your new licence to arrive and destroy the old one. Once the DVLA has processed your application you will usually receive an email confirmation, followed by your new photocard through the post. When the new licence arrives, cut up the old card and dispose of it, as holding two active photocards is not permitted.
Common questions
Q How often do I have to update the photo on my licence?
The photograph on a UK photocard driving licence must be refreshed every ten years. The expiry date for the photo section is printed on the front of the card, usually in section 4b. This is separate from any renewal required because of your age or a medical condition, and the DVLA will normally send a reminder as the date approaches, though the responsibility to renew sits with you.
Q What happens if I forget to renew the photo on time?
Driving with an expired photocard is an offence and can lead to a fine. Your entitlement to drive may still be valid in terms of the categories on the back, but the card itself is no longer a valid document. Check gov.uk for the current penalty amount. If you realise your card has lapsed, renew it as soon as you can and keep a record of when you submitted the application.
Q Can I use any photo I like for the renewal?
No. If you apply online the DVLA will reuse the image held on your UK passport record, so you do not choose the photograph yourself. For postal applications the photo must be a recent passport-style image, taken against a plain background, meeting the size and quality requirements set out with the D1 form. A friend or professional contact will usually need to countersign it.
Q Do I need to send my current licence back to the DVLA?
For a postal application, yes, your existing photocard goes in with the D1 form. For an online renewal you keep the current card while the application is processed, and then destroy it once the replacement arrives. Do not carry on using the old card after the new one has been issued, as only the most recent licence is valid at any given time.
Q Can I still drive while I am waiting for the new licence?
In most cases yes, provided your entitlement to drive has not lapsed and you are not otherwise disqualified. The DVLA's position is that a driver who has submitted a valid renewal application can usually continue to drive while the new licence is being processed, subject to conditions. If you drive for work or hire, check with your employer or insurer before relying on this.
Q What if my name or address has also changed?
A change of address can be notified to the DVLA free of charge and does not by itself require a new photo. A change of name, however, cannot be done online and must be sent by post using the D1 form with supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or deed poll. In that situation you can combine the name change with a photo renewal in one application.
Q Is there a fee for renewing the photo?
Yes, a fee applies for most drivers, with online renewal typically cheaper than the postal route. Drivers aged 70 and over and some holders of short-term medical licences are not charged. Fees change from time to time, so always check the current amount on gov.uk before submitting your application rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.
Sources
This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.
- Guidance · UK GovRenew your driving licence photo (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovDriving licence application form D1 (gov.uk)gov.uk
- Guidance · UK GovView or share your driving licence information (gov.uk)gov.uk
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.