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New drivers passing a driving test from 19 January 2024

If you pass your driving test in categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E, after 19 January 2024 you'll receive a licence valid for five years.

Every five years up to age 45, you'll need to sign a declaration to confirm that you still meet the medical standards.
After age 45, you'll need to provide a medical examination report every five years to renew your driving entitlement

Existing minibus, bus and lorry drivers

Drivers under 45 years old

If you passed a driving test in one of the categories below, you'll come under the new rules when you renew your driving licence.

The categories affected are C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E.

When you renew your licence, you'll receive a licence that is valid for five years. Every time you renew it, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will need you to confirm that you still meet the medical standards.

If you apply to replace your licence because it is lost/stolen, or your personal details have changed, your new licence will run until the end of your original period. However, if you update your photo at the same time, you'll come under the new five-year rule.

Drivers over 45 years old

Drivers over 45 will continue to renew their entitlement as they do now.

When you renew your licence at the end of a five-year period, you'll be renewing your driving entitlement. You'll need to provide a medical examination report.

• Download ‘medical examination report’ - D4 (PDF, 211K)

• Help with PDF files

Expiry dates explained

The expiry date of your licence will be shown on the front of the card in section 4b. The expiry date of your entitlement will be shown on the back of the card.

Medical conditions

You’ll still need to let DVLA know at any time if you suffer from a medical condition that may prevent you from driving. Don't wait until you renew your licence to do this.