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How to remove expired endorsements from your driving licence

To remove expired endorsements from your driving licence, you’ll need to apply to exchange your licence for a new one. You can apply by post, or if you hold a paper driving licence, you can use the premium checking service.

Photocard driving licence holder

You’ll need to:

  • complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’ available from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) form ordering service or any Post Office® branch
  • enclose your photocard driving licence, paper counterpart and the appropriate fee of £20.00
  • if your name has changed you'll also need to provide original documentation confirming your new name
  • send all your documents to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BU

If you need to renew your photo

You can renew your photo at any time, however, if your photo is due to expire very soon, it’ll need to be renewed before the date of expiry. The expiry date of your photo is shown in section 4b on the front of your driving licence.

You won’t be able to renew your photo using the online service.

Paper driving licence holder

You’ll need to:

  • complete a D1 ‘application for a driving licence’ available from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) form ordering service or any Post Office® branch
  • provide original documentation confirming your identity
  • enclose a passport type photograph, your paper driving licence and the fee of £20.00
  • send all your documents to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BU or you can use the premium checking service at selected Post Office® branches or DVLA local offices

When to expect your new driving licence

DVLA aims to deliver a driving licence to you within three weeks of receiving your application. It will take longer if your health and personal details have to be checked. Allow at least three weeks for your driving licence to arrive before contacting DVLA.

When your licence is issued it will now have a number of added security features. One of the main differences being a laser engraved black and white photograph.

Driving before your licence is returned

You can drive before you receive your licence as long as you:

  • have held a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence issued since 1 January 1976 or another exchangeable licence
  • aren’t disqualified from driving or your licence is not revoked under the terms or the Road Traffic (New Driver) Act 1995
  • haven’t been refused a licence for medical reasons or for failing to comply with medical enquiries
  • wouldn’t be refused a licence for medical reasons (if in doubt, check with your doctor)
  • keep to any special conditions which apply to the licence

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