Ministers at the Department for Transport have agreed to adopt a temporary measure to assist drivers in complying with the law during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, photocard driving licences that expire between 1 February and 31 August 2020 will be automatically extended for a period of 7 months from the date of expiry.

The extension is automatic, so no action needs to be taken. Drivers will be sent a renewal reminder before their 7-month extension ends.

The extension does not apply where a driver’s entitlement to drive is due to expire. If they wish to continue to hold a valid licence, they need to renew this in the normal way.

Driver records are not being updated automatically with the extension and will continue to show the details currently held on the driving licence. The records will only be updated once a driver has made an application to renew at the end of the extension.

Visit the DVLA website for more information