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.

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?

report a problem

leave feedback

ask a question

Report a problem

Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

A link, button or video is not working

There is a spelling mistake

Information is missing, outdated or wrong

I can't find what I'm looking for

Another issue

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

Tell us more about the problem you're having with the nidirect website.

Enter your feedback

What is your question about?

Choose a topic for your question:

What to do next

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.

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.

Extra comments (optional)

Renew your driving licence online

Before you start

Additional information

Linking your driving licence

For queries

Translation help

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment