Guidance

DVLA Coronavirus (COVID-19) update

Find out the date of applications we are processing and how to access our online services.

From:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Published
25 March 2020
Last updated
2711 SeptemberOctober 2021 — See all updates

Our online services are working as normal and without delay. This is the quickest, easiest, and often cheapest way to deal with us. We recommend that you use our online services where possible. If you apply online, you should receive your driving licence or vehicle registration certificate (V5C) within 5 days.

If you have posted your paper application to us, here are the dates of applications we are currently processing.

Driving while an application is being processed

We are receiving a high volume of enquiries about driving while your driving licence application is with DVLA. If your application has been sent to DVLA you may be able to continue to drive while we are processing your application, subject to meeting certain criteria. This applies to most types of application. Please check the criteria to see if you may be able to continue driving by reading the guidance leaflet ‘Can I drive while my application is with DVLA?’

By law, all drivers must make sure that they always meet the medical standards for fitness to drive when driving. Find more information about driving with a medical condition.

Online services

Here are some of our most popular online services:

If you are renewing your photocard driving licence, and you are unable to use our online services, you can do this quickly and easily at participating Post Office branches. Check if you are eligible to use this service. By using this service, you can expect your driving licence to be issued within 5 days.

Where’s my application?

If you have applied online, your application is already being processed. There are no delays with online transactions, so please try to use the online services where possible to avoid a delay with your application.

Paper applications

As a result of ongoing COVID safety measures and the impact of industrial action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union, there are ongoing delays with processing paper applications.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and our staff are working hard to reduce waiting times. There may be additional delays in processing more complex cases, for example, if medical investigations are needed as part of your driving licence application.

Identity documents

If you need to include proof of identity with your application, make sure you only send in what is required and that you check requirements on GOV.UK before you post your application.

There is no need to send us a UK passport if you’ve provided us with a passport number on your application form.

If you need to post original ID documents such as passports or Biometric Residency Permits to us, we recommend that you consider using registered post.

Please do not send passports and other documents by post if you are planning to travel in the immediate future. If you apply by post with a paper application, you need to allow between 6 to 10 weeks for processing.

Processing dates for paper applications

The following information lists the date we are currently working on for our most popular paper applications. The information below will be updated weekly until further notice.

Type of application Date currently being processed
Renew a driving licence with a new photo 142 JulyAugust 2021
Apply for a first provisional driving licence with UK identity 1017 August 2021
Renew a driving licence if you’re 70 or over or after disqualification or revocation 152 JulyAugust 2021
Apply for a first vocational driving licence 155 SeptemberOctober 2021
Renew a vocational driving licence 153 JulyAugust 2021
Apply for a driving licence with non-UK identity 318 August 2021
Apply for or renew a tachograph card 247 SeptemberOctober 2021
Apply to change your name or address on your driving licence 153 JulyAugust 2021
Tell DVLA about the sale of a vehicle 217 SeptemberOctober 2021
Vehicle registration certificate (V5C) changes 927 September 2021*
Apply for a replacement V5C log book 822 September 2021*
Register a vehicle for the first time (including previously used and imports) 2513 AugustSeptember 2021
Retain or assign a vehicle registration number 630 September 2021

We are processing paper applications in the order we receive them. If you sent your application after the dates shown above, please do not contact us as it has not been processed yet.

If you sent your application before the dates listed above, please allow 6 to 10 weeks from when you sent your application to receive your vehicle and driving documents, before you contact us.

You can check if your new licence has been issued by using our view driving licence service. The ‘licence valid from date’ will be the date your last licence was issued. Once your licence has been issued please allow 2 weeks from the ‘licence valid from date’ to be received.

*Please note that if you do not receive your V5C vehicle registration certificate within 6 weeks, you will need to contact us.

Contacting DVLA

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm. Demand is currently extremely high on our phone lines and there are currently long waiting times to get through. For all general enquiries, use the Contact DVLA service. You can also follow us on Twitter or use our online services to solve your query.

Driving tests and MOTs

If you have a query about driving tests or MOTs, you will need to contact DVSA. DVLA is not responsible for driving tests or MOTs.

Customer reception

DVLA’s customer reception in Swansea is currently closed. Please do not travel for this purpose as there is no public access to the site due to ongoing COVID safety measures.

Renewing a driving licence

Extension for driving licences that expired between 1 February and 31 December 2020

If your photocard driving licence or your entitlement to drive expired between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020, you have an 11-month extension from the date of expiry. This means that you do not need to renew your photocard or entitlement to drive until 11 months after your original expiry date.

You do not need to do anything as this extension is automatic and you will receive a letter around 2 months before your extension expires to remind you when to renew your driving licence. You do not need to call us during this time.

Driving abroad

If you are planning to drive abroad and your driving licence has been extended, you must renew your driving licence before you can drive abroad as the extension will not be recognised by countries outside of the UK.

The extension only applies to full GB driving licence holders. It does not apply to provisional driving licence entitlement.

This table shows the renewal dates based on the 11-month extension period:

Licence expiry New renewal date
February 2020 January 2021
March 2020 February 2021
April 2020 March 2021
May 2020 April 2021
June 2020 May 2021
July 2020 June 2021
August 2020 July 2021
September 2020 August 2021
October 2020 September 2021
November 2020 October 2021
December 2020 November 2021
January 2021 onwards Renew as normal

If your driving licence expires on or after 1 January 2021

You will need to renew it as normal and you’ll receive a letter to remind you when to renew your driving licence. The quickest and easiest way is to apply online.

If you are unable to renew your licence online, find more information on other ways to apply. This includes advice on taking your own photograph if a new photograph is required. You will need to print your digital photograph and attach it to the application form to renew your licence.

Applying to renew a driving licence if you have a medical condition

If you have a health condition requiring further information from your GP or consultant or you require a physical examination, your application may take longer as we request further information from NHS doctors, consultants, or opticians to make a licensing decision.

Providing you have a current driving licence and you have not been told by your doctor or optician that you should not drive, you may be able to drive while DVLA is considering your application and waiting for a response from NHS professionals.

Road safety is our top priority and by law, all drivers must meet certain minimum medical standards and must make sure they are medically fit to drive. All drivers must tell DVLA about the onset or worsening of a medical condition. Check if a health condition affects your driving.

You can renew your driving licence in other ways if you cannot renew online.

If you drive a bus or lorry and you need to renew your driving licence, there is specific guidance on renewing your licence you should read.

Related content

Published 25 March 2020
Last updated 2711 SeptemberOctober 2021 + show all updates

    1. Update to processing dates.

    2. Update to processing dates.

    3. Update to processing dates table.

    4. Updated processing dates table.

    5. Update to processing dates table

    6. Updated guidance page and processing dates table.

    7. Update to processing dates table.

    8. Update to processing dates table.

    9. Update to processing dates table.

    10. Update to processing dates table.

    11. Update to processing table.

    12. Update to processing dates table.

    13. Update to processing dates table.

    14. Update to processing table.

    15. Update to processing dates table.

    16. Updated page with new information and a table to show current processing dates.

    17. Added in detail about industrial action

    18. Additional information added about V5C applications.

    19. Updated information on applying for and renewing your lorry and bus licence with a D4 medical form

    20. Updated timescales for paper applications

    21. Information on what to do if your driving licence expires on or after 1 January 2021.

    22. Updated information regarding impact of lockdowns, and to signpost to DVSA for MOTs and driving tests.

    23. Updated latest information on services with external link to welsh government news update; added a table to section about driving licence extensions to show renewal dates.

    24. Updated information about impact of lockdown measures in Wales; and added a line to the Renewing a Driving Licence section to notify users that they will need to renew their licences if driving abroad, despite the existing extension.

    25. Added Welsh translation.

    26. Updated information on services, expected timescales for responses, and sending identity documents.

    27. Welsh translation added.

    28. Updated contact centre opening hours.

    29. Updated driving licence extension information

    30. Updated driving licence extension information

    31. Removed MOT extension information

    32. Update to contact centre opening hours

    33. Information added about entitlement to drive.

    34. Information about DVLA customer reception updated.

    35. Essential travel reference updated.

    36. Update on how we are prioritising work via our contact centre, online services and postal channels.

    37. Update to contact centre opening hours

    38. new information added.

    39. Update to contact centre opening hours from Tuesday 12 May 2020.

    40. Updated D4 section.

    41. Updated with information about renewing a licence with a medical condition and D4 medical forms.

    42. Removed reference to Easter opening times

    43. Updated information about taxing with an MOT exemption and to add link to current DVSA guidance.

    44. Added link to contact centre Easter opening hours.

    45. More clarity on MOTs and to inform that DVLA's main reception is closed.

    46. Further update on how we are prioritsing our work

    47. Update on how we are prioritising work via our contact centre and postal channels.

    48. Added further information relating to DVSA announcement about MOTs.

    49. First published.

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