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Bus and lorry drivers - new driving licence validity periods

Front of Large goods vehicle The rules for lorry and bus driving licences (Categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E) will change from 19 January 2013. If you drive a lorry or bus your licence will now be valid for a maximum of five years, up to age 65.

Existing drivers under age 45

If you are under age 45 and have a full licence to drive a lorry or bus, you will come under the new validity rules the next time you upgrade or renew your driving licence on or after 19 January 2013. This means your new licence will be valid for five years.

If you have a current 10-year licence and apply to update it because it is lost or stolen, or because your personal details have changed, we will give you a licence which runs to the end of your original period.

However, if you choose to renew it at the same time or at any time during the 10-year period, you will come under the new rules and will receive a licence that runs for five years.  

Existing drivers aged 45 and over

There is no change for existing drivers aged 45 and over, you will continue to renew your entitlement every five years.

New drivers from 19 January 2013

When you apply for provisional entitlement for one of these categories, you will need to provide a medical examination report. Your licence will be issued for a five-year period.

Medical conditions

The next time you update or renew your driving licence you will still need to comply with the current medical standards in the following way:

  • if you are still under age 45 at the end of each five-year period, you will have to sign a declaration to confirm you still meet the medical standards for driving these vehicles
  • if you are over age 45 at the end of each five-year period, you will be renewing your driving entitlement and will need to provide a medical examination report (DLM1)

For all drivers

You must let Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) know at any time if you suffer from a medical condition that may prevent you from continuing to drive. You should not wait until you renew your licence to do this.

The expiry date of your licence will show on the front of your card at section 4b and the expiry date of your entitlement will show on the back of the card.

For more details on how your categories will be displayed on the new licence please see:

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