How Much It Costs to Replace a Driving Licence

Current Fees for Replacing a Driving Licence in the UK

As of 2024, replacing a driving licence in the UK costs £20 when you apply by post or online through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). This is the standard fee for most replacement scenarios, whether your licence has been lost, stolen, damaged, or needs renewal due to expiration. The fee remains consistent across England, Scotland, and Wales, though the process may vary slightly depending on which country you live in.

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The £20 fee covers the administrative costs of processing your request, issuing a new photocard, and posting the replacement to you. This price has remained stable since 2015, making it one of the few government fees that has not increased in nearly a decade. However, if you lose your licence and need it replaced urgently, there may be additional costs involved, which we will explore in later sections.

Payment methods accepted by the DVLA include debit cards and credit cards when applying online. If you apply by post, you will need to send a cheque or postal order. The DVLA does not accept cash payments by post for security reasons. Many people choose the online route specifically because it offers faster processing times than postal applications, though the base fee remains the same.

It is worth noting that if your licence needs replacement because it has expired, the £20 fee is the only cost you will face. You do not need to pay separate renewal fees or take additional tests (unless you are over 70 years old or have certain medical conditions, which may require different procedures). The replacement process is straightforward for most drivers who simply need a new licence card.

Practical Takeaway: Budget £20 for a standard driving licence replacement. This cost is fixed and covers the entire replacement process, from initial processing through to delivery of your new licence card.

When You Might Need to Replace Your Licence

There are several common situations that require a driving licence replacement. Understanding which scenarios apply to you helps you know what to expect in terms of timing and any additional requirements beyond the basic £20 fee. Lost or stolen licences account for a significant portion of replacements processed by the DVLA each year.

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A lost licence is one of the most frequent reasons for replacement. People misplace driving licences in cars, at home, or during travel. When you discover your licence is missing, you should report it to the DVLA as soon as you become aware of the loss. For a standard lost licence replacement, you pay the £20 fee and typically receive your replacement within two to three weeks if applying online.

Stolen licences require slightly different handling. If your licence has been stolen (rather than simply lost), you may wish to report it to the police to create a record of the theft. This is particularly important if you are concerned about identity theft, as a driving licence contains personal information including your date of birth and address. Reporting the theft to police is not mandatory for the DVLA replacement process, but it provides additional protection for you. The replacement fee remains £20 regardless of whether the licence was lost or stolen.

Damaged licences also require replacement. Common damage includes faded text that makes the licence unreadable, cracked or broken cards, water damage, or worn photographs. If your licence is physically damaged but still in your possession, you will need to send it to the DVLA along with your replacement request. The replacement fee is still £20, and you will receive a new licence without penalty.

Expired licences are another reason for replacement. In the UK, driving licences are valid for 10 years for most drivers. When your licence is about to expire or has already expired, you must replace it before continuing to drive legally. This is handled the same way as a lost licence replacement, with the £20 fee applying.

Practical Takeaway: Identify why you need a replacement before starting the process, as different scenarios may have slightly different documentation requirements, though the fee remains consistent at £20.

Online Replacement Process and Costs

Applying for a driving licence replacement online through the DVLA website is the most common and efficient method. The online process costs £20 and typically takes 10 working days for your replacement licence to be processed and sent to you. This is significantly faster than postal applications, which can take two to three weeks.

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To apply online, you will need several pieces of information and documentation ready. You must have your National Insurance number, your driving licence number (if you have not lost it), your passport details, and a digital photograph that meets DVLA standards. The photograph must be a recent colour photo showing your face clearly against a plain background, taken within the last month, and measuring 45mm x 35mm.

If you do not have a suitable photograph, you have options. You can visit a photo booth in supermarkets, high street shops, or post offices and request passport-style photos. These cost between £3 and £10 depending on the location and whether you purchase additional copies. Alternatively, some opticians and photography shops offer this service for £5 to £15. The DVLA also accepts photographs taken at home if they meet specific technical requirements, though this requires careful attention to lighting, background, and positioning.

The online payment process is secure and handled through the GOV.UK website. You can pay using a debit card or credit card. The transaction is processed immediately, and you will receive a confirmation email once your payment has been accepted. This confirmation is important to keep, as it serves as proof of your application.

Processing time for online applications varies depending on demand. During typical periods, most people receive their replacement licence within 10 working days. However, during peak times (such as summer holidays or after major public holidays), processing may take longer. The DVLA website displays current processing times, so you can check the expected wait before you submit your application.

One advantage of the online process is that you can track the status of your application. After submitting your details, the DVLA sends you a reference number that you can use to check progress on the DVLA website. This transparency helps you understand where your application stands and when you might expect delivery.

Practical Takeaway: Choose online replacement for the fastest service at £20. Prepare your digital photograph in advance and ensure you have all required information to hand, as this speeds up the entire process.

Postal Replacement Process and Costs

Although less common than online replacement, postal applications remain available for drivers who prefer not to use digital methods or who do not have access to reliable internet. The postal application process for a driving licence replacement costs the same £20 fee but takes considerably longer, typically three to four weeks from the time the DVLA receives your application.

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To apply by post, you must download and complete form D1 from the DVLA website or request a paper form by phone. The form requires you to provide your full name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, and driving licence number. You will also need to include a photograph and proof of identity. Unlike the online process, postal applications require you to physically send original documents or certified copies.

For the photograph, postal applications accept physical prints measuring 45mm x 35mm, following the same standards as online applications. You can obtain these from photo booths or photography services for £3 to £10. Some people use photographs from passport applications if they have recent ones available.

Payment for postal applications must be made by cheque or postal order payable to "DVLA". You cannot send cash through the post, and the DVLA does not accept credit card or debit card payments for postal applications. This is a security measure to protect against theft or fraud. The cheque or postal order should be for £20 and included with your application.

Sending your application by post introduces additional time considerations beyond DVLA processing. Royal Mail typically takes one to three working days to deliver a letter within the UK, and you should allow the same time for the DVLA to post your new licence back to you. This means your total wait time could easily reach four to five weeks from the moment you post your application.

One advantage of postal applications is that they create a paper trail. When you send your application, you can request a receipt by post or add it to a tracked special delivery envelope (which costs approximately £3 extra). This provides proof that the DVLA received your application, which can be useful if there are any disputes or if your application goes missing in transit.

Practical Takeaway: Postal replacement costs £20 but