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  2. Motoring
  3. Driving licences
  4. Renew, exchange or apply for a driving licence

Renew your driving licence online

You can only use this service to renew your driving licence if you are resident in NI. It’s faster to renew your licence online.

Before you start

Due to essential maintenance there will be a disruption to this service from 8.00 am to 9.00 am on Monday 6 February 2023.
DVA apologise for any inconvenience.

You cannot use this service to renew a lorry or bus driving licence. You can renew those licences by filling in and returning the renewal reminder form (DL1R) if you've been sent one or filling in and returning a driving licence application form (DL2).

You cannot use this service if your last licence was issued before 1 April 1999 and you haven’t had your identity checked. These licences can be renewed by filling in and returning a driving licence application form (DL1). 
DL1 and DL2 forms are available from Post Offices.

To apply online to renew your car, motorbike or tractor driving licence you'll need:

  • a digital photo or photo code - look at the rules for digital photos before renewing your licence via the green link below 
  • a credit or debit card (if payment is needed)
  • a valid email address
  • your NI driving licence number and expiry date - on the plastic card part of your driving licence – ‘5’ is the driving licence number and ‘4b’ the expiry date

Although you can change your address when renewing your licence online you cannot change your name online. 

Renew your driving licence online

Additional information

If you're unable to provide a digital photo, your licence can be renewed by:

  • filling in and returning a driving licence application form (DL1) - this form is available from Post Offices

Linking your driving licence

You do not need to create a nidirect account to renew your driving licence online but it can save you time when you’re filling out your application.

When you create your account and you’ve had your identity verified you can link your licence so the information from your driving record shows on screen. DVA will also send you updates on your application, such as when it has been processed.

You can view your driving record to check the details DVA hold for you, including any penalty points or driving convictions you may have. You can also create a code to allow a third party, for example a car hire company or your employer, to view your driving rights.

  • Instructions on how to link your driving licence

To find out more about identity assurance and the documents you need to verify your identity see:

  • Identity assurance

If you already have an account, or need to create an account, you can log in to the service using the green button above. 

Watch the video on renewing your driving licence online:

You can find out how any personal information you send to the Department for Infrastructure (Driver and Vehicle Agency) when using this service will be handled by viewing their privacy notice

For queries

For queries about renewing your driving licence online, email: dva@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about your identity check, email: nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

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Renew, exchange or apply for a driving licence

  • Apply for a provisional driving licence
  • Driving licence application DL1 - guidance notes
  • Driving licence application DL2 - guidance notes
  • Exchanging your foreign driving licence
  • Identity documents and photographs
  • Keeping your driving licence up-to-date
  • Older drivers – deciding when to stop driving
  • Renew your driving licence
  • Renew your driving licence at 70 plus
  • Renew your vocational licence
  • Replacing your driving licence
  • The cost of a driving licence
  • The photocard driving licence explained

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

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