Renew your driving licence online

Due to essential maintenance, there may be disruption to the online service from 12.00 noon to 6.00 pm on Sunday 25 July 2021. DVA is sorry for the inconvenience.

Before you start

All driving licences with an expiry date from 1 January 2021 must be renewed.

All driving licences with an expiry date between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020 will be treated as valid for a further 11 months. 

This extension will be automatically applied, the driver record will not be updated and renewal licences may not be issued during this period. 

Drivers whose licence expiry falls within these dates are not required to take any action on the expiry of their licence.

For some drivers this will remove the requirement to have a medical assessment conducted at this difficult time.

The extension does not apply to provisional driving licences that expire in this period. 

A provisional driving licence can be renewed online.

The DVA will issue you with a reminder notice when the temporary extension period is coming to an end.

Provisional Licence

Note the extension does not apply to provisional driving licences that expire in this period. A provisional licence can be renewed online below.

This online service will not allow you to renew a lorry or bus driving licence. These licences can be renewed by:

• filling in and returning the renewal reminder form (DL1R) if one has been sent to you 
• or filling in and returning a driving licence application form (DL2*)

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

• a digital photo or photo code - take a 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 Northern Ireland driving licence number and expiry date (date it runs out on) - both can be found 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. 

*DL2 and DL1 forms are available from:

• Post Offices

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

 

Additional information

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

• filling in and returning the renewal reminder form (DL1R) if one has been sent to you
• or filling in and returning a driving licence application form (DL1) - this form is available from Post Offices, DVA Test Centres and the DVA office in Coleraine.

Watch the video on renewing your driving licence online:

This is a new beta service. To find out more about what beta means and how your feedback can help improve the service, visit:

• beta on nidirect