D47P Form PDF - Renew Your Lorry or Bus Licence Over 45

What Is the D47P Form?

Form D47P is the official DVLA application for the renewal of lorry and bus driving entitlement for professional drivers aged 45 and over. Before you reach 45, renewing your professional licence is a straightforward paperwork exercise. From 45 onwards, the rules change. Every renewal thereafter requires you to confirm that you remain medically fit to drive large goods and passenger vehicles.

DVLA sends the form automatically around 56 days before your current licence expires. It arrives by post alongside the D4 medical examination report. Between the ages of 45 and 65, you renew every five years. From the age of 65, renewal becomes annual. According to GOV.UK guidance on lorry and bus licence renewal, this renewal frequency applies across England, Scotland, and Wales.

No fee at any age

Renewing your lorry or bus licence using the D47P is completely free. DVLA charges nothing for the renewal itself at any renewal age.

Who Needs to Complete the D47P?

Any driver holding lorry or bus entitlement who is 45 or older must complete form D47P to renew. This applies to Category C, C1, CE, C1E (lorry) and Category D, D1, DE, D1E (bus) entitlement holders.

Drivers aged 45 approaching their first renewal: The rules change at this age; the first renewal requires a D4 medical report
Drivers aged 45 to 65 five-year renewal cycle: A D4 is required each time
Drivers aged 65 and over annual renewal cycle: A D4 is required every year
Drivers holding both lorry and bus entitlement: One D47P covers both, no separate application needed
Drivers turning 45 within 56 days of expiry: Contact DVLA to confirm which form applies
Drivers who have not received the form by post may have outdated addresses: D2/D4 pack available at Post Office.
Drivers with a paper licence: Additional original identity documents are required

Under 45?

DVLA sends a D47PU form instead. The D47PU does not require a D4 medical. This page covers the D47P only.

D47P vs D47PU: Which Renewal Form Applies to You?

DVLA issues two different renewal forms for lorry and bus drivers depending on age. The difference comes down to one thing: whether a D4 medical examination report is required.

The D47P applies to drivers aged 45 and over. Every renewal requires a completed D4 medical report signed by a GP or doctor. The D47PU applies to drivers under 45 and has a simpler renewal process; no D4 medical is required.

Some sources state the D47P is for drivers aged 70 and over. This is incorrect. The form for car driving licence renewal at 70 is the D46P a separate form for a different licence type entirely. The D47P applies to lorry and bus drivers from age 45.

	D47P	D47PU
Who it is for	Lorry and bus drivers aged 45 and over	Lorry and bus drivers under 45
Medical required	✓ D4 report at every renewal	✗ No medical required
Renewal frequency	Every 5 years (45-65); annually from 65	Less frequent; no fixed medical cycle
Online availability	Not available online	Not available online
Applicable categories	C, C1, CE, C1E; D, D1, DE, D1E	C, C1, CE, C1E; D, D1, DE, D1E
Submission method	Post DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR	Post DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR
Processing time	Approximately 3 weeks	Approximately 3 weeks
Cost	Free	Free

Leasing

Apply three to four weeks before the lease end date. Administration companies handling paperwork on behalf of leasing companies add significant processing time. Missing the window means losing the plate with no recourse.

When Does DVLA Send the Form D47P?

DVLA sends the D47P around 56 days before your lorry or bus licence expires. It arrives by post to the address held on your driving licence record, in the same envelope as the D4 medical examination report. You do not need to request it it is sent automatically.

You are legally required to keep your address up to date with DVLA. If your records show an old address, the form goes there. DVLA has no obligation to resend it without being contacted. If your renewal date is approaching and the envelope has not arrived, act straight away. The deadline does not pause while you wait.

What to Do If You Did Not Receive the D47P?

A missing D47P is more common than it should be. The most frequent cause is an outdated address on the driving licence record. There are three steps to take, in this order:

Check Your Address with DVLA

Before requesting anything, confirm DVLA holds your current address. If it does not, update it first. Otherwise any reissued forms will go to the same wrong address. Update at GOV.UK under Tell DVLA you have changed address.

Visit a Post Office That Offers DVLA Services

Ask for a D2/D4 pack. This contains the forms needed to carry out a lorry or bus licence renewal when the original D47P has not arrived. Not every branch holds these packs use the branch finder at postoffice.co.uk before making the trip.

Contact DVLA Directly by Phone

If you cannot get to a Post Office, phone DVLA and ask for the forms to be resent. Have your driving licence number ready. Confirm your address on the call so DVLA can update the record before posting.

Do not delay

Your renewal deadline does not move because the form did not arrive. If your licence is within a few weeks of expiry and the D47P has not reached you, go to the Post Office for a D2/D4 pack the same day.

Can You Download the D47P Form? What the DVLA Actually Says

No. DVLA does not offer a D47P form download online. There is no official PDF version available for printing, completing, and posting. The form is personalised; it arrives pre-referenced to your driving licence record held at DVLA, and the agency will not process a version that was not issued through its own systems.

Several websites offer a downloadable D47P PDF or a fillable online version. Some of these date back to 2013 and are no longer current. Completing one and posting it to DVLA will not result in a successful renewal.

Important:

There is no official D47P form download. Third-party PDF versions and online fillable forms cannot be submitted to DVLA and will not be processed. Use only the form sent to you by DVLA or obtained via a Post Office D2/D4 pack.

The two official ways to obtain the form for submission to DVLA are:

Wait for DVLA to post the original, which arrives around 56 days before your licence expiry date
Get a D2/D4 pack from the Post Office available at branches offering DVLA services; use postoffice.co.uk to find one

Reference copy:

This site provides a reference copy of the D47P form to help you understand the layout, check what information you need to gather, and prepare before your official form arrives. A reference copy cannot be submitted to DVLA. Only the original sent by post or a form obtained via a Post Office D2/D4 pack is accepted.

What You Need Before Completing the D47P Full Checklist

Getting the paperwork right before you start prevents the most common delays. Have all of the following ready before you put anything in an envelope:

The D47P form itself: The original sent by DVLA or from a Post Office D2/D4 pack; not a downloaded version from a third-party site
Completed D4 medical examination report: Signed by your GP or doctor; required at every renewal from age 45; if you sent a D4 within the last 12 months, you do not need another
Vision assessment: If your doctor cannot complete the vision section, a registered optometrist or optician can fill it in separately
Passport-type photograph: Only if your D47P form states one is required; do not include a photo if the form does not ask
Current driving licence: Include with the application unless needed for driver training immediately
Name change documentation: Original documents only if your name has changed; copies not accepted
Identity documents: Originals required only if you hold a paper licence rather than a photocard

D4 Medical Cost:

Your GP, doctor, or optometrist will charge for completing the D4 medical examination report. Fees typically range from £50 to £120 depending on the practice. Private medical providers often charge less than NHS GP practices for this specific assessment.

How to Fill in and Submit the D47P Form?

Six steps cover the full process. Each one matters. A single omission is the most common reason applications are delayed.

Fill In Your Personal Details

Enter your current name, address, date of birth, and driving licence number. If any details have changed since your last renewal, update them on the form. Name changes require the original supporting documents to be in the same envelope.

Book Your D4 Medical Appointment Without Delay

Book your GP or doctor appointment as soon as the D47P arrives. Do not wait. GP availability can add weeks to the process. If you sent a D4 to DVLA within the last 12 months, you do not need to state this clearly on the form.

Complete the Vision Assessment

Your doctor completes most of the D4 form. If they cannot complete the vision section, take the form to a registered optometrist or optician, who can complete that section separately. Both signatures can appear on the same D4 form.

Check Whether a Photograph Is Required

Your form will clearly state whether a new passport-type photograph is required. Include one only if the form requests it. Including an unrequested photograph does not cause rejection but can create unnecessary confusion.

Assemble All Documents Before Posting

Go through the checklist above before sealing the envelope. A single missing document is the most common cause of delays. The most frequently omitted item is the D4 itself.

Post Everything Together to DVLA Swansea

Send the completed D47P and D4 in the same envelope to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR. Sending them separately is the second most common cause of delays. Use recorded or tracked delivery and keep proof of postage.

Submission Checklist

Completed D47P
Completed D4 medical examination report
Passport-type photograph (only if requested)
Name change documents (original, if applicable)
Identity documents (original, if paper licence)
Current driving licence

Is There a Fee for the D47P Renewal?

No. Renewing your lorry or bus licence using the D47P form is completely free. DVLA charges no fee at any age, for any renewal. The only cost you will face is the charge your GP, doctor, or optometrist applies for completing the D4 medical examination report, typically £50-£120, depending on the practice.

Clearing up the £17 confusion:

MoneySavingExpert states a £17 fee for driving licence postal applications. That fee applies to standard photocard renewal for car driving licences only. It does not apply to lorry or bus licence renewal using the D47P form. If your D47P form states that no fee is required, the form is correct.

How Long Does Processing Take and Can You Drive While You Wait?

DVLA aims to return your renewed licence within three weeks of receiving a valid, complete application. If DVLA needs to verify health or personal details, processing can take longer than three weeks with no fixed upper limit.

If three weeks pass with no licence returned:

Confirm your tracked or recorded delivery was received at DVLA
Phone DVLA to follow up on the application status
Do not resubmit duplicate applications; they do not speed up processing; they create a second file that must be manually reconciled

Can You Drive While Your D47P Application Is With DVLA?

In most cases yes but only if every single condition below applies to your situation at the same time. If even one does not apply, you must stop driving until your new licence arrives.

Your GP or doctor has not advised you to stop driving: If your D4 raised concerns, follow that advice before anything else.
You held a valid lorry or bus licence before submitting the renewal: You cannot use this provision if your licence had already expired when you applied.
You are driving only under the same conditions your previous licence allowed: You cannot take on new categories of driving while the renewal is pending.
Your application was submitted less than 12 months ago: If more than 12 months have passed, this provision no longer applies.
Your previous licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons: If DVLA revoked your last licence on medical grounds, you cannot drive while the new application is pending.
You are not currently disqualified from driving: Any current disqualification overrides this provision entirely.
You were not disqualified as a high-risk offender on or after 1 June 2013: This classification carries additional restrictions.

If you are unsure whether all of these conditions apply, read DVLA guidance document INF1886 at GOV.UK before driving. If any one of the conditions does not apply, stop driving and contact the DVLA for advice.

Special Cases D47P in Unusual Circumstances

Turning 45 Within 56 Days of Expiry

Contact DVLA before doing anything. Your age when your licence expires determines which form you need, not the age when the form arrives.

Both Lorry and Bus Entitlement

One application covers both entitlements. You do not need to complete separate applications or make two submissions.

D4 Submitted Within Last 12 Months

State this on your application, including the approximate date of submission. DVLA will match the records on their system without a new form.

Licence Expires Before Renewal Returns

You may still be able to drive if all the conditions above apply. Check each one individually before getting behind the wheel.

Northern Ireland Drivers

The process applies to Great Britain only, England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland drivers should refer to nidirect.gov.uk for renewal guidance.

Name or Address Has Changed

Include original name-change documents in the same envelope. Update your address with DVLA separately so future forms reach you without delay.

Common Mistakes That Delay D47P Renewals

Most delays are entirely avoidable. These are the mistakes that come up most often:

Sending the D47P and D4 in separate envelopes

DVLA must match documents manually when they arrive at different times; always send together

Not booking the D4 medical appointment straight away

GP availability can add weeks; book the moment the D47P arrives

Using an unofficial downloaded form

Any D47P from a third-party website will not be processed by DVLA

Sending to the wrong address

The only correct address is DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR

Not using tracked or recorded postage

If DVLA does not receive your application, you have no proof it was sent

Failing to declare a health change

Not an administrative error; failing to declare a notifiable condition when renewing is a criminal offence

Resubmitting when renewal takes longer than three weeks

Phone DVLA to follow up instead; duplicate submissions slow processing further

Where to Send Your D47P Form?

There is only one way to submit the D47P: by post to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR. Send the D47P and D4 together in one envelope. Post Offices supply D2/D4 packs they do not accept completed applications.

Method	Available	Notes
Post to DVLA Swansea	✓ Yes	Only accepted method SA99 1BR
Online submission	✗ No	No online route exists for D47P
Email or fax	✗ No	Not accepted
Post Office drop-off	✗ No	Post Offices supply forms only
In-person at DVLA	✗ No	DVLA Swansea does not accept walk-ins

Frequently Asked Questions

DVLA sends the D47P form automatically because your lorry or bus driving licence is approaching its expiry date and you are 45 or older. It arrives by post around 56 days before your licence expires, together with a D4 medical examination report. You are required to complete and return both to renew your professional driving entitlement.

Yes. DVLAFormsOnline.co.uk offers a D47P form online. Visit the download page to download it.

Post Offices that offer DVLA services stock D2/D4 packs, which contain the equivalent forms needed to renew your lorry or bus licence when the D47P has not arrived. Not every branch carries them. Use the branch finder at postoffice.co.uk before making a trip.

The D47P is for lorry and bus drivers aged 45 and over. It requires a D4 medical examination report at every renewal. The D47PU is for drivers under 45 and does not require a medical. Both are sent by DVLA around 56 days before licence expiry and both are free to process.

If you are renewing a lorry or bus licence using the D47P, yes. A completed D4 medical examination report is required at every renewal for drivers aged 45 and over. Your GP or doctor completes the D4. If they cannot complete the vision section, a registered optometrist can do so separately. If you submitted a D4 to DVLA within the last 12 months, you do not need to send another.

Yes. Include your current driving licence with your D47P application unless you need it for driver training in the immediate term. Once your renewed licence arrives, send the old one back to DVLA at Swansea SA99 1BR if you did not include it with the original application. Do not hold on to both.

No. There is no digital submission route for the D47P. DVLA does not accept the form by email, fax, or through any online service provider. The only accepted method is postal submission to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BR. Any third-party service offering digital submission cannot forward your application through an accepted channel.

D47P Form PDF – Renew Your Lorry or Bus Licence Over 45