Drivers whose photocard licence or entitlement to drive expired between 1 February and 31 August 2020 were initially granted a seven-month extension from the date of expiry.
The EU has now agreed to increase the extension period from 7 months to 11 months, to 31 December 2020. This means that drivers whose photocard or entitlement expires between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020 now have an 11-month extension from the date of expiry.
Example
Original expiry date shown on licence | With first 7 month extension - Licence renewal date | With additional 4 month extension – new Licence renewal date |
Feb 2020 | Sept 2020 | Jan 2021 |
March 2020 | Oct 2020 | Feb2021 |
April 2020 | Nov 2020 | March 2021 |
May 2020 | Dec 2020 | April 2021 |
June 2020 | Jan 2021 | May 2021 |
July 2020 | Feb 2021 | June 2021 |
August 2020 | March 2021 | July 2021 |
September 2020 | April 2021 | August 2021 |
October 2020 | May 2021 | September 2021 |
November 2020 | June 2021 | October 2021 |
December 2020 | July 2021 | November 2021 |
Drivers do not need to take any action as the extension will be automatic. Drivers do not need to renew their licence until they receive a reminder before their extension expires.
If a driver has already applied to DVLA to renew their photocard or their entitlement, they can continue to drive while DVLA is considering their application, providing they have not been told by their doctor or optician that they should not drive. Further information is available here.
However, drivers do not need to apply to renew until the extension expires – DVLA will write to drivers to remind them to renew when the time comes.
Information about driving with a medical condition is available on GOV.UK.
