How to renew your full drivers or riders licence

driver licence

Is it time to renew your drivers or riders licence? Service NSW sends out a reminder in case you forget. In most cases, you can renew your NSW licence online but some people must go to a centre in person. Find out how to renew your full NSW licence.

Can I renew my NSW drivers licence online?

You can renew online if your drivers or riders licence expired no more than 6 months ago, or will expire in 6 months or less. You must also:

  • Meet the eyesight requirements. For example, if you are 45 or over, you must take an eyesight test every 5 years.
  • Be 17 or over
  • Have up to date medical conditions on record
  • Hold an unrestricted licence (not cancelled, disqualified, suspended or refused).

Note also the tricky signature and photo requirement for renewals online:

  • You must have provided your signature and photo within 10.5 years before your new licence will expire.

When must I renew in person?

Not everyone can renew their NSW licence online. You must renew your licence in person at Service NSW if you:

  • Want to renew for 10 years
  • Are a learner driver
  • Have to prove your fitness to drive
  • Hold a combined driver and boat licence
  • Have moved house within the last 14 days.

Take a completed NSW licence renewal form, current licence or other form of ID and licence fee to a Service NSW centre. You may have to show other documents, such as change of address or fitness to drive certificate.

Service NSW provides a paper receipt as proof of your licence status until your new card comes through.

Who can renew a licence for 10 years?

Not everyone can renew for 10 years.

  • You need to be aged 21-44, because this is the time when faces change the least.
  • After age 44, it becomes more likely to misidentify someone from an old photo.
  • You cannot be a commercial driver, such as a taxi or ride share driver.

If you can get a concession, you can renew your drivers licence for 5 or 10 years.

Can I get a discount on my licence?

Only eligible pensioners can get discounts on licences.

Current full licence renewal fees, as at 1 August 2026*, are:

  • $74 for 1 year
  • $172 for 3 years
  • $234 for 5 years
  • $434 for 10 years.

*These are the fees at the time of writing.

Can I renew my drivers licence outside NSW?

You may be temporarily interstate or in another country when it’s time to renew your NSW drivers licence. If so, you can use the photo-kit system.

Download the appropriate form or ask for a photo licence kit unit to be posted:

The new licence is automatically sent to the address you provide, whether interstate, overseas or in NSW.

Remember, this photo-kit licence renewal can be used only once, so your next licence renewal will have to be in NSW.

Renew your drivers licence on time

Renewing your drivers licence in time is an important part of your role as a driver.

Make sure your green slip and registration are up to date.

If you have trouble remembering when your registration is due, ask greenslips.com.au for a registration reminder sticker or two.

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Corrina Baird

Writer and Researcher

Corrina joined greenslips.com.au in December 2015 as a strategic writer. Corrina is now an expert in the NSW CTP scheme. Read more about Corrina

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