Driving licence fees

The fee depends on if you want to:

  • get your first full or provisional GB licence
  • get a replacement if yours has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
  • change your name, address or photo
  • renew a driving licence
  • add, renew or remove an entitlement
  • exchange a driving licence, for example exchange a paper licence for a photocard
  • get your licence back after it’s been taken away, for example if you’ve been disqualified

For applications by post, cheques and postal orders are payable to DVLA. The address depends on what you’re applying for.

Damaged or altered cheques will not be accepted.

There are different driving licence fees in Northern Ireland.

Get your first GB driving licence

Apply online Apply by post
First provisional licence - car, motorcycle, moped £34 £43
First full driving licence after passing your driving test N/A Free - £17 to use a different photo from your provisional
First full GB licence in exchange for a full European Community, European Economic Area or other designated foreign licence N/A £43

Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence

This costs £20. You must replace your licence if it’s been lost, stolen, defaced or destroyed.

Change the name, address or photo on your photocard driving licence

The fee depends on what you’re changing and how you do it.

What you’re changing Change online Change by post
Address Free Free
Name N/A Free
Photo £14 £17
Photo and name at the same time N/A £17
Photo and address at the same time £14 £17

Renew a driving licence

Photocard licences are valid for 10 years unless otherwise stated. You’ll get a reminder to renew your photo before your current licence ends.

Apply online Apply by post
Renewing an expired driving licence £14 £17
Renewing because you’re 70 or over Free Free

You can also renew your expired licence at a Post Office, it costs £21.50.

Renew a short-term medical driving licence

You can renew your short-term medical driving licence for free.

You can renew online if you have diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, a visual impairment, a sleep condition, or a heart condition.

Add, renew or remove an entitlement

Apply online Apply by post
Adding entitlement to full or provisional licence - for example, to drive a bus or lorry N/A Free
Renewing entitlement to drive a bus or lorry N/A Free
Giving up entitlement to drive bus or lorry N/A Free

You can also change a photo at the same time. It costs £17.

Exchange a paper or non-GB driving licence

What you’re exchanging Apply online Apply by post
Paper licence for photocard with change of address Free Free
Paper licence for photocard with change of name N/A Free
Paper licence for photocard with no change of details £20 £20
Full Northern Ireland licence in exchange for a GB licence N/A Free
Full European Community, European Economic Area or other designated foreign licence, if a previous GB licence held N/A Free
Full European Community, European Economic Area or other designated foreign licence, if a previous GB licence not held N/A £43

Get your licence back after it’s been taken away

The fee depends on why you had your licence taken away and how you got it back.

How you got your licence back Apply online Apply by post
You were disqualified for any reason except drink driving N/A £65
You were disqualified for drink driving and you need to pass a medical exam with a DVLA doctor N/A £90
You were disqualified for drink driving and you do not need to pass a medical exam N/A £65
You’ve got your licence back after it was revoked under the New Drivers Act N/A £50
You’ve got your licence back after it was revoked for not handing it over to DVLA or at court N/A Free

Part of Learn to drive a car: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check you're allowed to drive

    Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17.

    1. Check what age you can drive
    2. Requirements for driving legally
    3. Driving eyesight rules

  2. Step 2 Get a provisional licence

    1. Apply for your first provisional driving licence £34 to £43

  3. Step 3 Driving lessons and practice

    You need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practise.

    1. The Highway Code
    2. Taking driving lessons
    3. Find driving schools, lessons and instructors
    4. Practise vehicle safety questions

  4. and Prepare for your theory test

    1. Theory test revision and practice
    2. Take a practice theory test
    3. Theory and hazard perception test app

  5. Step 4 Book and manage your theory test

    You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

    1. Book your theory test £23
    2. What to take to your test
    3. Change your theory test appointment
    4. Check your theory test appointment details
    5. Cancel your theory test

  6. Step 5 Book and manage your driving test

    You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

    1. Book your driving test £62 to £75
    2. What to take to your test
    3. Change your driving test appointment
    4. Check your driving test appointment details
    5. Cancel your driving test

  7. Step 6 When you pass

    You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test.

    You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.

    1. Find out about Pass Plus training courses