Applying for a new driving licence, or renewing an existing ane, has get a headache for motorists since the offset of the Covid-xix pandemic.

Last month it was reported that 800,000 messages are waiting to exist opened at the DVLA's Swansea offices with a farther 60,000 arriving each day.

The DVLA has warned drivers to wait a wait of six to 10 weeks – or longer if applicants take a medical status that requires information from GPs.

READ More than: Panicked pensioner left feeling like 'a caged lion' called DVLA 58 times to encounter if he tin drive

Complaints on social media suggest waiting times for some people are running into many months.

Further backlogs have built upward because the DVLA has been hit by a series of short strikes over coronavirus
safety measures at its Swansea offices

Drivers whose licences expired in 2020, between Feb 1 and Dec 31, were given a 11-calendar month extension.

These extensions are now starting to elapse, calculation to the workloads of DVLA staff handling 2022 renewals.

Motorists who submitted photograph identification to back up their applications, such equally passports, have been forced to put their lives on hold.

To increase capacity, the DVLA has rented another part edifice and extended the opening hours of its call centre. The agency is also encouraging as many people as possible to use employ or renew online.

Later this month MPs on Westminster'south transport committee volition grill DVLA officials over the delays.

Hither'due south how to renew your driving licence and details of whether you lot can still drive while waiting.

In general, to avert delays, the advice for renewals is to apply online.

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Licence extensions

If your licence expired between February 1 and December 31, 2020, your entitlement to drive in the UK was automatically extended by 11 months.

The extension began from the date your licence was due to expire.

Drivers will not become a new licence as part of the automatic extension – only when they renew it.

Licences can be renewed online at any time earlier the extension ends.

For licences expiring after January ane, 2021, these must be renewed equally normal.

When y'all have the renew your drivers' licence

Drivers must renew their photocard licences every 10 years, and will be sent a reminder before their current licence expires.

Failure to renew could land motorists with a fine of upwards to £1,000.

The DVLA estimates around 2 million photocards are out of date.

Those with licences expiring in August 2022 should be renewing now.

The same applies to drivers whose licences which expired in August-September 2020, but which were automatically extended past 11 months.

The expiry appointment is printed on the photocard, on section 4b on the front of the card.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) building in Morriston, Swansea

Commuter and Vehicle Licensing Bureau (DVLA) building in Morriston, Swansea

When you should employ for renewal?

Reminders are sent out about a month before current licence expires.

The DVLA says online renewals should take about a week.

One big advantage of online renewals is the certainty of knowing the DVLA has your application and is processing information technology, enabling you to continue driving.

Postal renewals are taking much longer – up to 10 weeks, according to the DVLA. Some drivers are reporting fifty-fifty longer waits.

To ensure the DVLA has received their applications, some motorists are sending them by recorded commitment, or using Post Office services.

If applications are being "processed" by the DVLA, drivers can go on to drive unless advised otherwise by opticians or doctors.

However applications must be "completed" and "accurate".

New licences are valid from the renewal engagement, non from the decease date of existing licences.

How to renew your licence

At that place are two ways to use, whether y'all're renewing a driving licence or replacing a lost or stolen one:

Online: You tin can apply on the DVLA website, providing you have a valid United kingdom passport.

Drivers who renew online receive an email confirming their awarding has been received.

The DVLA says: "Online services are working equally normal, so delight utilize these where possible."

By post: Forms known every bit "D1 pack" are available from most post offices. To find ane that handles licence applications, visit the Mail Office co-operative finder service.

You lot can enquire the Postal service Part to check and post your application, or send information technology directly to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DH.

In addition to the £17 renewal fee, the Post Part charges an extra £4.50 for postage and to accept your photo.

For details of Post Office applications, visit the DVLA website.

Cheque details are correct

It's easy to see trouble if you don't bank check to ensure all renewal details are correct.

If you've moved house in the past decade, yous'll need to provide the new address – or gamble a fine of up to £1,000 if stopped by the police.

In fact, this should be done every bit presently every bit you move address, even if you're not renewing. Updating basic details is complimentary and can be washed online or by mail.

Checking names is also important: information technology's estimated 3% of married women take an out-of-date name on their licences.

Updating names must be done past post after completing the "changes" section on letter D741 that came with your licence (or D1 forms from postal service offices).

The same procedure is needed if you lot modify gender.

If y'all are changing your names and accost simply, your photocard'due south renewal date won't exist updated.

What if yous are anile seventy or over?

Drivers must renew their licences at seventy then every three years afterwards. This process is gratuitous.

Latest DVLA figures show more than lx% of drivers over the age of 70 are choosing to renew their licences online.

How much does it cost?

Renewals cost £xiv if washed online, or £17 by post.

If you use post offices to check and postal service your application, there's an boosted £4.50 fee.

For drivers aged lxx or over, who must renew every three years, the process is gratis.

Updating your name and accost is also free. However if you desire to alter your photo at the same time, this will cost you £xiv online, or £17 past mail.

Since January 1, 2021, newly-issued UK driving licences have no longer featured the EU flag

Since January 1, 2021, newly-issued UK driving licences have no longer featured the European union flag

Tin yous still drive while waiting for your new licence?

The DVLA says said motorists tin continue to bulldoze while forms are beingness processed provided they have not been advised otherwise by their dr. or optician.

Application forms must besides be "completed" and "accurate".

Other atmospheric condition also apply:

  • You can but drive vehicles you lot take applied for on your electric current awarding – and were entitled to bulldoze on your previous licence.
  • You must see any conditions specified on your previous licence that however apply.
  • DVLA has received your consummate awarding within the last 12 months.
  • Your concluding licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons.
  • You are not currently disqualified from driving by a court.
  • You were not disqualified as a high risk offender on or afterward June 1, 2013 (such every bit a serious beverage driving offence).
  • If you hold a Group 2 (autobus or lorry) licence, your entitlement has non been suspended, revoked or refused by a traffic commissioner.

What if your photocard licence has already expired?

Renewing belatedly won't automatically event in a fine.

Even so, if your licence has expired, you shouldn't drive until the DVLA has received your renewal application.

Waiting times for paper applications

Each week the DVLA lists where it is up to with applications, past appointment. Currently the DVLA website has the following dates:

  • Renew a driving licence - May 18
  • Apply for a provisional driving licence - June one
  • Renew a driving licence if you're lxx or over - May 21
  • Apply for a vocational driving licence - June 8
  • Utilise for a driving licence with non-United kingdom identity - June 7
  • Employ for a tachograph card - June 17

  • Apply to change your name or accost on your driving licence - May 18

  • Tell the DVLA nearly the sale of a vehicle - July 5
  • Vehicle registration certificate (V5C) changes - July 5*
  • Apply for a replacement V5C log book - June 28*
  • Register a vehicle for the first time - June 2
  • Retain or Assign A Vehicle Registration Number - June 28
*If you do not receive your V5C vehicle registration certificate within six weeks, you will need to contact the DVLA.

Contacting the DVLA

Y'all tin contact the DVLA call middle on 0300 7906802.

Information technology's open up Mon to Friday, 8am-7pm, and Saturdays, 8am-4pm.

Still the DVLA says "our lines are extremely decorated".

Many drivers are reporting huge frustration at long holds and automated messages.

Got a DVLA horror story to share? Have your say in the comments section below.