The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has announced that driver’s licences will now expire on the holder’s date of birth, alongside the rollout of an SMS notification system to remind motorists ahead of renewals.
The Chief Executive Officer of the DVLA, Julius Neequaye Kotey, disclosed this while addressing a press conference on Friday, January 23, 2026, to mark his first year in office.
He explained that the SMS alerts will notify drivers when their licences and roadworthiness certificates are due, helping to reduce missed renewals and improve compliance.
Mr. Kotey said the reforms form part of a broader strategy to modernise DVLA operations, enhance efficiency, and strengthen revenue mobilisation.
“We also introduced the SMS notification, where now people are being informed when their license expiration is due. Mind you, this year [2026], we are starting a project where license expiration will be attached to your date of birth. “So your date of birth will be the day your license will expire.
“That is the new initiative we are bringing on board. The public should know that. So we are about to roll out the Roadworthy to it. So when it’s time for you to go and renew your Roadworthy, we’ll give you an SMS to inform you of the set date,” he announced.
