Driving Licence Renewal with Name Change: Complete Guide for Special Circumstances

Renewing your driving licence when you’ve changed your name or have other special circumstances requires different procedures than standard renewal. You cannot use the convenient online renewal system, but with proper documentation and understanding of the process, you can successfully update your licence through postal application.

Name Change Renewal Overview

Important: Online renewal is not available for name changes. You must use the postal renewal method, which costs £17 plus additional document and postage fees.

Aspect	Standard Renewal	Name Change Renewal
Method Available	Online, Post Office, Postal	Postal only
Cost	£14 (online)	£17 + documents + postage
Processing Time	1 week (online)	3-4 weeks
Required Documents	Passport/ID	Legal proof + ID + photos

For a complete comparison of all renewal methods, see our UK driving licence renewal guide.

Required Documents for Name Change

Essential Documents Checklist

1. Completed Form D1

• Download from DVLA website
• Complete all sections accurately
• Sign and date the form

2. Current Driving Licence

• Send original licence (not a copy)
• Must be valid or recently expired
• Include paper counterpart if you have one

3. Legal Proof of Name Change Choose one of the following:

• Marriage Certificate (original or certified copy)
• Civil Partnership Certificate (original or certified copy)
• Decree Absolute (for divorced name reversion)
• Deed Poll (original or certified copy)
• Statutory Declaration (for other name changes)

4. Identity Document One of the following:

• Valid UK passport
• Birth certificate (full version)
• Travel document
• National identity card (EU/EEA)

5. Passport-style Photos

• Two identical photos
• Taken within last month
• Meet DVLA specifications

For detailed photo requirements, see our driving licence photo requirements guide.

Document Requirements by Name Change Type

Marriage or Civil Partnership

Required:

• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
• Must be original or certified copy
• Foreign certificates need official translation

Processing time: 3-4 weeks Common issues: Ensure certificate shows both old and new names clearly

Divorce (Reverting to Maiden Name)

Required:

• Decree absolute showing name reversion
• Original marriage certificate (if name change documented)
• Court order if name change not in decree

Processing time: 3-4 weeks Common issues: Some divorce documents don’t clearly show name reversion

Deed Poll Name Change

Required:

• Original deed poll document
• Must be properly executed and witnessed
• Statutory declaration if deed poll unavailable

Processing time: 4-5 weeks Common issues: Self-made deed polls may require additional verification

Gender Recognition Certificate

Required:

• Gender recognition certificate
• New birth certificate if issued
• Additional identity documentation

Processing time: 4-6 weeks Special considerations: Confidential handling procedures apply

Step-by-Step Name Change Process

Step 1: Gather Documentation (Week 1)

• Obtain legal proof of name change
• Get certified copies if you can’t send originals
• Take new photos meeting DVLA requirements
• Download form D1 from DVLA website

Step 2: Complete Application (Week 1-2)

• Fill out form D1 completely and accurately
• Double-check all information matches your documents
• Sign and date the form
• Prepare payment (£17 by cheque or postal order)

Step 3: Submit Application (Week 2)

• Package documents securely
• Include covering letter explaining name change
• Use special delivery (£6.85) for tracking and security
• Keep copies of all documents sent

Step 4: Processing (Weeks 3-5)

• DVLA verification of documents
• Identity checks against databases
• Photo processing and approval
• Licence production and quality control

Step 5: Receive New Licence (Week 5-6)

• Delivery via Royal Mail
• Check details immediately upon receipt
• Update other documents with new licence number

Postal Application Requirements

Addressing Your Application

Send to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DH

Payment Methods

• Cheque: Made payable to “DVLA”
• Postal Order: Obtained from Post Office
• Cash: Not accepted
• Card payments: Not available for postal applications

Packaging Requirements

• Secure envelope: Use padded envelope or recorded delivery
• Clear labeling: Mark “DRIVING LICENCE RENEWAL – NAME CHANGE”
• Return address: Include clear return address
• Special delivery: Recommended for valuable documents

Cost Breakdown for Name Change Renewal

Basic Costs

DVLA Fee: £17

• Non-refundable processing fee
• Same regardless of name change reason
• Payment by cheque or postal order only

Additional Costs

Photos: £4-15

• Two identical passport photos required
• Supermarket booths cheapest (£4-6)
• Professional photographers most expensive (£10-15)

Document Costs: £5-50

• Certified copies: £5-10 per document
• Translation services: £20-50 for foreign documents
• Deed poll creation: £15-30 if needed

Postage: £6.85-£15

• Special delivery recommended (£6.85)
• International delivery if abroad (£8-15)
• Recorded delivery minimum (£3.35)

Total Cost Range: £32-97 depending on circumstances

For detailed cost comparisons, see our renewal costs guide.

Special Circumstances and Additional Requirements

Medical Conditions

If you have medical conditions affecting driving:

• Declare conditions on form D1
• Medical assessment may be required (£90)
• Doctor’s report might be needed (£50-100)
• Processing time extends to 6-8 weeks

Overseas Residents

UK residents living abroad can renew with name change:

• Use same postal process as UK residents
• International postage required (£8-15)
• Allow extra time for international delivery
• Embassy certification may be needed for some documents

Lost or Stolen Licence

If your licence is lost or stolen before name change renewal:

• Report to police (if stolen)
• Apply for replacement first (£20)
• Wait for replacement before name change application
• Cannot combine replacement and name change applications

Expired Licences

Name change renewal is possible with expired licences:

• Same process applies
• Same costs (£17)
• Cannot drive with expired licence during processing
• No penalties for expired licence during legitimate renewal

Multiple Name Changes

If you’ve had multiple name changes:

• Document complete chain of name changes
• Provide all certificates in chronological order
• Statutory declaration may be required
• Extended processing time (5-6 weeks)

Processing Timeline for Name Changes

Week 1-2: Document Verification

• Receipt acknowledgment (if address provided)
• Document authenticity checks
• Legal validity of name change proof
• Identity verification against databases

Week 3-4: Processing and Approval

• Photo processing and quality checks
• Application review by specialist team
• Additional checks if complications arise
• Approval for production stage

Week 5-6: Production and Dispatch

• Licence printing with new details
• Quality control and security features
• Dispatch preparation and postage
• Delivery to registered address

Average Timeline: 4-5 weeks total

For general processing timelines, see our renewal timeline guide.

Common Problems and Solutions

Document Rejection Issues

Problem: Marriage certificate not accepted Solution: Ensure certificate is original or properly certified copy

Problem: Deed poll considered invalid Solution: Provide statutory declaration or court order

Problem: Foreign documents rejected Solution: Obtain certified translation and apostille if required

Photo Problems

Problem: Photos don’t meet specifications Solution: Retake photos following DVLA requirements

Problem: Poor photo quality Solution: Use professional photographer or high-quality booth

Processing Delays

Problem: Application taking longer than expected Solution: Contact DVLA after 6 weeks for status update

Problem: Additional documents requested Solution: Respond promptly with requested documentation

For comprehensive troubleshooting, see our renewal problems guide.

After Receiving Your New Licence

Immediate Actions

• Check all details are correct
• Sign the licence immediately
• Destroy old licence securely
• Update licence number with insurance company

Update Other Documents

• Vehicle registration (V5C)
• Insurance policies
• Employer records
• DVLA online account

Keep Records

• Photocopies of new licence
• Application reference numbers
• Proof of postage receipts
• Name change documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Post Office for name change renewal?

No, Post Office Check & Send service doesn’t handle name changes. You must use postal application only.

How long is my old licence valid during processing?

You can continue driving during processing provided you submitted before expiry date and haven’t been told to stop driving.

Can I change my address at the same time?

Yes, you can update your address on the same D1 form. No additional fee for address change.

What if I need to travel urgently?

DVLA can issue temporary licences (£20) in exceptional circumstances. Contact them on 0300 790 6801.

Do I need to retake my driving test?

No, name change renewal doesn’t require retaking tests. All categories and endorsements transfer automatically.

For more questions, see our comprehensive renewal FAQ guide.

Getting Started

Ready to renew your licence with a name change? Start by gathering all required documents and downloading form D1 from the DVLA website. The process takes 4-5 weeks, so plan accordingly.

For comprehensive guidance on all renewal methods, visit our UK driving licence renewal guide. If you’re unsure about any requirements, contact DVLA on 0300 790 6801 before submitting your application.