To renew a driving licence in Bangladesh, apply on the BRTA Service Portal, pay the renewal fee online, upload a medical certificate and your documents, then visit your BRTA circle office on the date you are given to record your fingerprints, photo and signature. A non-professional renewal costs Tk 4,212 and a professional renewal Tk 2,487 if you renew no later than 15 days after expiry. After that, a late fee of Tk 518 is added for each year of delay. Professional drivers also need a dope test and usually a practical driving test. The government’s fine-free renewal window ended on 29 October 2026, and we found no further extension as of 31 October.
This guide covers when to renew, what you need, each step, the fees and fines, and what changes for professional drivers.
When does a driving licence need renewing?
| Licence | Validity | Renewal extras |
|---|---|---|
| Non-professional (private) | 10 years | Medical certificate only |
| Professional (driving for pay) | 5 years | Dope test and, in practice, a practical test |
The expiry date is printed on your smart card or e-licence. Start the renewal a few weeks before it, because the BRTA office may give you a biometrics date some days later. You must renew no later than 15 days after expiry to pay only the standard fee.
Driving on an expired licence counts as driving without a valid licence. BRTA warned in April 2026 that this can bring up to six months in prison, a Tk 25,000 fine or both, as Dhaka Times reported.
Documents you need
| Document | Who needs it |
|---|---|
| Your current or expired driving licence (copy) | Everyone |
| National ID card (NID) | Everyone |
| Medical certificate from a registered doctor, on the BRTA form | Everyone |
| Recent photo | Everyone |
| Online fee payment receipt | Everyone |
| Dope test certificate from a government hospital | Professional licence |
| Police verification report | Professional licence, where the circle office asks for it |
The name and date of birth must match your NID. If your address has changed, update it during the renewal.
How to renew a driving licence, step by step
1. Log in to the BRTA Service Portal
Go to the BRTA Service Portal (BSP) and log in with the account you used for your licence, or create one with your NID, date of birth and mobile number. Keep the mobile number active, because BRTA sends dates and updates by SMS.
2. Apply for renewal and pay online
Choose the driving licence renewal service, enter your licence number and check your details. Upload the medical certificate and other documents, then pay. The portal accepts bKash, Nagad, Rocket and bank cards, and it adds any late fee automatically, according to a 22 October 2026 guide on 24 Update News.
3. Get a dope test (professional licence)
Since 30 January 2022, a dope test certificate from a government hospital has been required for every new and renewed professional licence, The Daily Star reported. A positive result blocks renewal. Book the test early: a shortage of test kits in Kushtia once held up about 3,000 licences, Daily Star Bangla reported.
4. Take the practical test if asked (professional licence)
Non-professional holders do not retake any test. Professional holders are usually asked to pass a practical driving test again before the licence is renewed, according to renewal guides and a 2022 report by TBS of a driver spending a day on tests at BRTA Mirpur. We found no BRTA circular setting this rule, so check with your circle office.
5. Give your biometrics at the BRTA circle office
On the date given, go to your BRTA circle office with your documents and payment receipt. BRTA records your fingerprints, photo and signature. If everything is in order, this is often done in one visit.
6. Download your e-licence
BRTA has issued QR-coded e-licences since January 2024, and its chairman said they are the main licence and can be shown on a phone, as bdnews24 reported. Smart card printing has been slow since BRTA’s card supply contract ended in July 2025, Jagonews reported, so download the e-licence from BSP once it is approved, and keep a printed copy and one on your phone until BRTA tells you by SMS that the card is ready.
Driving licence renewal fees in 2026
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Non-professional renewal, 10 years | Tk 4,212 |
| Professional renewal, 5 years | Tk 2,487 |
| Late fee, after 15 days from expiry | Tk 518 for each year of delay |
The renewal fees include a Tk 60 delivery charge; some sources quote Tk 4,152 and Tk 2,427 without it. For a non-professional licence, the fee breaks down into a Tk 3,000 base fee, a Tk 610 card fee, Tk 542 VAT and the Tk 60 delivery charge, according to 24 Update News. These amounts follow BRTA’s December 2022 fee notification, which raised licence fees by 33% to 200%, as Prothom Alo reported. The portal shows the exact amount before you pay. Professional drivers also pay for the dope test.
As an example, a non-professional licence that expired two years ago would cost about Tk 4,212 plus two years of late fees, Tk 1,036, for a total of about Tk 5,248.
The 2026 fine-free renewal window has ended
In August 2026, the Road Transport and Highways Division let people renew driving licences, fitness certificates, tax tokens and route permits until 29 October 2026 by paying only the standard fees, with no fines, Views Bangladesh reported. The government called it the final extension. The ministry had sought it to recover more than Tk 142 billion in unpaid fees and taxes, according to the Financial Express.
As of 31 October 2026, we found no notice extending it again. If your licence expired more than 15 days ago and you did not renew by 29 October, expect the late fee of Tk 518 for each year. Check the BRTA website or BSP for any new notice before you pay.
Keep your points and your licence
Renewing does not restore lost demerit points. Every licence carries 12 points, and since June 2026 BRTA has deducted them for offences such as speeding, signal violations and overloading. A driver who loses all 12 has the licence cancelled and cannot renew it, according to BRTA notices reported by Bangla Tribune and Daily Star Bangla. Our guide to traffic fines in Bangladesh lists the fines and points for each offence.
Common renewal mistakes
- Waiting until after the 15-day grace period and paying a late fee.
- A name or date of birth on the licence that does not match the NID.
- A medical certificate not on the BRTA form or not signed by a registered doctor.
- A changed mobile number, so the biometrics date never arrives.
- For professional drivers, booking the dope test too late.
- Driving on an expired licence while the renewal is pending, instead of carrying the e-licence once it is issued.
Upgrading at renewal
Renewal keeps the same licence categories. To add a category, such as moving from light to medium or heavy for truck driving, you need a separate application and test. Our heavy driving licence guide explains the steps, and our guide on how to get a driving licence in Bangladesh covers a first licence.
Drive for a living with Truck Lagbe
Professional truck and pickup drivers need a valid licence for every trip. Once your licence is renewed, find trips across Bangladesh on the Truck Lagbe Owner app, and read our guide on how to drive a truck in Bangladesh for the rules that apply on the road.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my driving licence online in Bangladesh?
Partly. You apply and pay on the BRTA Service Portal, but you must visit your BRTA circle office once for fingerprints, photo, and signature.
How much does driving licence renewal cost?
Tk 4,212 for a non-professional licence and Tk 2,487 for a professional licence, if you renew no later than 15 days after expiry.
What is the fine for renewing late?
A late fee of Tk 518 for each year after the 15-day grace period. The fine-free window that waived it ended on 29 October 2026.
Do I need a driving test to renew my licence?
Not for a non-professional licence. Professional holders are usually asked to pass a practical test and must submit a dope test certificate.
Can I drive with an expired licence while renewing?
No. An expired licence is not valid, and driving on it can bring up to six months in prison, a Tk 25,000 fine or both. Use the e-licence once the renewal is approved.
How long is a renewed licence valid?
10 years for a non-professional licence and 5 years for a professional licence.
