Revalidate the driving license

When you need to renew your licence depends on the vehicle category and the age of the driver.

You must revalidate your licence before the expiry date

For example, if you have to revalidate the licence by the age of 50, you must do so by the last day on which you are 49. The licence ceases to be valid on the day on which the holder turns 50. The revalidation process starts six months prior to that date.

Avoiding fines and sitting new tests

It is important to renew your licence before it expires. Driving without a valid licence is punishable with a fine. If you wait more than two years after the expiry date to renew your licence, you will have to take a driving test (practical part) in order to renew it.

If you wait more than five years and less than 10 years after the expiry date to renew your licence, you will have to take some lessons and a driving test (practical part) in order to renew it. If you wait more than 10 years, you will have to get a new driving licence. You will need to take classes on the highway code and driving lessons and then take the tests to get a licence.

To find out when you need to revalidate your driving licence, see the lists below.

Group 1 – Categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE, mopeds and agricultural tractors

If you obtained your licence before 1 January 2013, you should renew it:

• before reaching 50, 60, 65, and 70 years of age;
• from the age of 70, you must revalidate your licence every two years.

If you obtained your licence between 2 January 2013 and 29 July 2016:

• the first renewal must be made on the date stated on the driving licence;
• further renewals must be made every 15 years until you reach 60 years of age.Then:

  • at 60
  • at 65
  • at 70
• From the age of 70, you must revalidate your licence every two years.

If you obtained your licence after 30 July 2016:

• You must renew your driving licence every 15 years from the date you obtained it, until you turn 60.Then:

  • at 60
  • at 65
  • at 70
• From the age of 70, you must revalidate your licence every two years.

If you obtained your licence after the age of 58, the first revalidation must be made only when you turn 65.

Group 2 – Categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE

Categories B and BE to drive ambulances, fire vehicles or patient transport, school transport, collective transport of children and passenger cars for hire

If you obtained your licence before 1 January 2013, you should renew it:

• before reaching 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65 and 68;
• from the age of 68, you must revalidate your licence every two years.

If you obtained your licence between 2 January 2013 and 29 July 2016:

• the first renewal must be made on the date stated on the driving licence;
• further renewals must be made every five years until you reach 70 years of age;
• from the age of 70, you must revalidate your licence every two years.

Further information

• The category CE licence is now only valid for a maximum weight of 20 tonnes when the driver is 67 years old.
• Category D1, D1E, D and DE licences are no longer valid when a driver turns 67 and cannot be revalidated.

If you obtained your licence after 30 July 2016:

• you must renew your driving licence every five years until you reach the age of 70;
• from the age of 70, you must revalidate your licence every two years.

Further information

The category CE licence is now only valid for a maximum weight of 20 tonnes when the driver is 67 years old.

Category D1, D1E, D and DE licences are no longer valid when a driver turns 67 and cannot be revalidated.

If you have changed your address on your Citizen Card, you do not have to revalidate your driving licence.