DVLA 70 Year Old Licence Renewal Process
The complete process of renewing a British driving licence at 70 plus years old is free of charge when using the ‘driver licensing online’ service.
Furthermore, you can also renew an over 70s driver’s licence up to ninety (90) days before becoming a septuagenarian (a seventy-year-old).
As long as you have an email address, you should be able to register for the service if you have not used it before.
Note: This help guide about how to renew your driving licence at the age of 70 or over is also available in Welsh language ‘Adnewyddu eich trwydded yrru yn 70 oed neu’n hŷn‘ (Cymraeg).
Extra Important Information
You can renew your driving licence if you’re 70 or over using the driver licensing online service. It is for renewing a British driving licence if you are 70 plus (or will be in the next 90 days) and:
- Your British licence has already expired (or will in the next ninety days).
- You meet the minimum driving eyesight rules.
- You are a resident of Great Britain (use a different service to renew your driving licence at 70 plus in Northern Ireland).
- There is no legal or criminal reason preventing you from driving a vehicle on public highways.
Note: Once you reach the age of 70 years old, you must renew your driver’s licence every three (3) years. You must use postal methods to renew a C1 (medium-sized vehicles) or D1 (minibus) entitlement.
Using the Driver Licensing Online Service
The system will need some personal information from you to register a Government Gateway account. Hence, silver surfers will need to provide (all):
- A valid email address.
- Home addresses of where you lived for the previous three (3) years.
- Your National Insurance number (if you have one).
- A valid United Kingdom passport number (only required to change the licence photograph).
After applying, you will get a confirmation email from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). They may also ask you to participate in their research facility by email. But, you will be able to opt out of the survey if you choose not to take part.
Driving While the DVLA Renews Your Licence
As long as you meet all the conditions, you will be able to drive your vehicle even while you wait for your licence to be renewed by the DVLA.
To continue driving, all these must apply:
- Your doctor also supports the decision for you to continue driving.
- You already had a valid licence and you will drive under the same conditions as the previous one.
- The application to renew your driving licence at 70 is less than twelve (12) months.
- The previous licence did not get revoked or refused based on any medical reasons.
- You are not currently disqualified from driving or disqualified as a high risk offender (since the 1st of June 2013).
Important: You can read further guidance titled ‘Can I drive while my application is with DVLA? (INF188/6)‘ via the GOV.UK website.
Renewing a Licence at 70 by Postal Methods
You can use the DVLA D46P application form to apply by post. As a rule, they will send this form as an automatic process ninety (90) days before your 70th birthday. Use the D1 application form download if you do not get the D46P renewal form.
DVLA will post some forms to a United Kingdom address. You cannot download some forms because they include features that do not print. For example, they may contain a clear plastic window to insert a photograph.
Note: You can also pick up most DVLA forms from a Post Office. A postal application to renew a driving licence at 70 or older will take up to three (3) weeks. But, the coronavirus pandemic is causing some delays.