How do I renew my driving licence at 70?
Key takeaways
After turning 70 you have to renew your licence every 3 years
The DVLA will send a D46P form 90 days before your 70th birthday, if this is not received, you can use a D1 form from the Post Office
You can continue driving while your application is being processed provided you meet certain criteria
Drivers aged 70-79 pay £355
^ a year, on average, to insure a petrol car
Can I keep driving after 70?
Yes, there is no age limit for driving in the UK. Older drivers, aged 70 or over, make up 14.7% or 6.2 million of the 42 million full car driving licence holders in the UK, according to the latest data from the Department for Transport.
This is up from 3.9 million 12 years ago, in 2013, and the number of older drivers is likely to rise further as the UK population ages.
If you’re an older driver you’re entitled to carry on driving as long as you are still fit and able to but instead of your UK driving licence being valid for the standard 10 years, you’ll need to renew it every three years.
How do I renew my driving licence at 70?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) says that it will “automatically” send you a D46P application form 90 days before your 70th birthday.
If you don’t receive the D46P form you should be able to pick up a D1 application form from your local Post Office and use this instead. (If you’re in Northern Ireland you’ll need a DL1R form.)
However, a postal application takes about three weeks and is likely to take longer if you have declared a medical condition or your personal details need to be checked.
The quickest way is to use the ‘Renew at 70’ online service on GOV.UK. You should receive your new licence within five days by using this service.
If you haven’t used the online service before you’ll need to register. This requires:
An email address
Your driving licence details
Your National Insurance number (if you know it)
The addresses you have lived at for the past three years
A valid UK passport number, if you want to change the photo on your driving licence
You won’t be able to use the online service if you want to renew a C1 (medium-sized vehicles) or D1 (minibus) entitlement. These entitlements can only be renewed with a postal application.
What is the cost of renewing a driving licence at 70?
There is no charge to renew your driving licence if you are aged 70 or over, provided you use the official ‘Renew at 70’ online service on GOV.UK.
You should avoid third party websites that charge premiums for DVLA services. The Government says that these sites are not affiliated with the DVLA.
If you decide to make a postal application you may want to pay for proof of delivery if you need to continue driving (subject to certain conditions, see below).
Can I still drive while waiting for the DVLA to renew my licence?
Yes, while your application is being processed you can usually continue driving once your application has been received by the DVLA, provided that:
You have not been told by your doctor or optician not to drive
You previously held a valid licence
You only drive vehicles you have applied for on your current application and were entitled to drive on your previous licence
It is not more than 12 months since the DVLA received your correct and complete application
Your last licence wasn’t revoked or refused for medical reasons
You aren’t currently disqualified from driving by a court
You weren’t disqualified as a high risk offender on or after 1 June 2013
How can I retain C1 and D1 entitlements after 70?
If you use the standard form, you’ll lose your entitlements. To retain these, you’ll need to have a D4 medical examination report every three years.
The D4 form has to be filled in by a doctor. This could be your GP (although an optician might need to fill in the section about your eyesight), or a private firm specialising in drivers’ medical exams. Be aware that your doctor, optician or a private firm can charge you.
Do I have to retake my driving test at 70?
No, you don’t need to retake your driving test at 70 but you will need to renew your licence every three years. You will also need to meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving and inform the DVLA about any medical conditions which might affect your driving ability.
Do I need a medical for an over 70 driving licence?
You will need to complete a medical declaration when you renew your driving licence, confirming your fitness to drive. In some instances, the DVLA might need more information from a healthcare professional. If you have a health condition that affects your ability to drive safely the DVLA might arrange for you to be examined, ask you to take a driving assessment, or an eyesight or driving test.
Which medical conditions do I have to declare to the DVLA?
You must declare any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely. These include:
Diabetes or taking insulin
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers)
Sleep apnoea
Strokes
Syncope (fainting)
How long does it take to renew a driving licence at 70?
It can take up to three weeks to renew a driving licence at 70 if you apply by post whereas online application take up to five days. You’ll need to wait longer if you have declared that you have a medical condition.
How long is a renewed driving licence valid for after age 70?
When you renew your driving licence at 70 it is normally valid for three years.
Will my car insurance be more expensive when I’m over 70?
Drivers who are 70 or over are statistically more likely to be involved in a road accident which can result in higher premiums.
However, prices still stay relatively low. Drivers aged between 70 and 79 pay only £355
Third party fire and theft is the cheapest car insurance option for older drivers. Our data shows that prices for drivers aged 60-plus start from£191
Author
Sarah Tooze
Car & Van Insurance Expert
Sarah Tooze has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years, specialising in company cars and vans, and has won a number of awards during her career, including the Newspress ‘Automotive...
