Update on developments regarding DVLA’s driving licence services.

As a result of the impact of the COVID19 pandemic, Ministers at the Department for Transport have agreed to adopt a temporary measure to assist drivers in complying with the driving licence renewal requirements.

To make it easier for drivers who need to renew their photocard licence or their entitlement to drive, where their licence expires between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020, they will now have a 7-month extension from the date of expiry. This means that they will not need to renew their photocard or entitlement to drive until seven months after the original expiry date. The extension is automatic so drivers do not need to take any action.  The driver record will show the current expiry date on the driving licence, the record will be updated once an application is made to renew the licence at the end of the extension period.  At the end of the extension period they will be sent a renewal reminder form to complete.

If a driver has already applied online to renew their photocard this will be processed as normal.

This extension applies to all full licence renewal applications including short period medical licence and lorry and/or bus renewals. However, it does not apply to provisional driving licences or where the licence needs to be renewed following a disqualification.

By law, all drivers must ensure that they always meet the medical standards for fitness to drive when driving. Information about driving with a medical condition is available on GOV.UK .  If a driver has already applied to DVLA to renew their photocard or their entitlement, they can continue to drive while DVLA is considering their application, providing they have not been told by their doctor or optician that they should not drive.

Further information has been published on GOV.UK advising drivers of this temporary measure: www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla