RENEWING DRIVING LICENCE AT 45: The entitlement to drive certain vehicles changes after reaching 45.
You will need to renew your driving licence every 5 years to drive lorries, minibuses, or buses from age 45 to 65.
Lorries licence renewal becomes an annual process once you reach the age of 65.
As a rule, the DVLA will post two forms to you around 56 days before your driving licence runs out. The two separate forms are:
- D47P which is the ‘application for renewal of lorry and bus entitlement’.
- D4 which is the ‘HGV medical examination report’.
Note: Order a D2/D4 pack from the DVLA if you do not receive D47P and D4. Renewing a driving licence to drive lorries, minibuses, and buses from age 45 differs in Northern Ireland.
RENEWING DRIVING LICENCE AT 45: The entitlement to drive certain vehicles changes after reaching 45.
You will need to renew your driving licence every 5 years to drive lorries, minibuses, or buses from age 45 to 65.
Lorries licence renewal becomes an annual process once you reach the age of 65.
As a rule, the DVLA will post two forms to you around 56 days before your driving licence runs out. The two separate forms are:
- D47P which is the ‘application for renewal of lorry and bus entitlement’.
- D4 which is the ‘HGV medical examination report’.
Note: Order a D2/D4 pack from the DVLA if you do not receive D47P and D4. Renewing a driving licence to drive lorries, minibuses, and buses from age 45 differs in Northern Ireland.
How to Apply for Driving Licence after 45 Years
- The first step is to fill in the requested information on form D47P.
- Most people ask their doctor to complete form D4 which is the medical examination report. Your doctor may not be able to complete the vision assessment section. In this case, you can ask an optometrist or an optician to fill in this section for you. Note that you may get charged for this part of the process.
- Send both of the completed forms together to the correct DVLA address for licence renewals.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR
Changing the Photograph
The D47P form will display a message if your licence application needs a new photograph. In this case, you would need to include a new passport-style photo with your documents.
If Your Name Changes
It is not uncommon for your name to change (e.g. you got married). In this case you must also:
The Old Style Paper Driving Licence
Follow these steps if you have a paper driving licence:
- Fill in two separate forms D47P and D4.
- Send the original documentation confirming your identity.
- Enclose a passport type photograph.
- Send all the forms and documents with a photograph to the DVLA address in Swansea.
How Long it Takes to Renew Driving Licence at 45
The DVLA try to send new photocard driving licences within three (3) weeks of receiving an application. But, it can take a little longer if they need to check any medical details or personal information. Thus, allow at least three weeks before you contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
Driving while Waiting for a New Licence
Providing you meet all the conditions you can drive while your licence gets renewed by DVLA. To continue driving all these must apply:
- Your doctor also supports the decision for you to continue driving.
- You had a valid licence and you drive under the same conditions of the previous licence.
- The application for a new licence is less than one year old.
- The previous licence did not get revoked or refused based on medical reasons.
- You are not currently disqualified from driving or disqualified as a high risk offender on or after the 1st of June 2013.
Note: Read guidance titled ‘Can I drive while my application is with DVLA? (INF188/6)‘ for further information.