Keeping on top of renewals and expiry dates

Some things only need doing every year, or every ten years, which makes them very easy to forget. Finding out at the airport or the garage that something has expired is stressful. A single renewals list can take the pressure off your memory.

Make one renewals list

Write down the things that expire, with the date for each. You do not have to find them all today. Add them as you come across them.

• Passport
• Driving licence and photocard
• Car MOT, tax and insurance
• Home or contents insurance
• Phone, broadband and energy contracts
• Railcards, memberships and subscriptions

Set reminders well ahead

For each date, add a calendar reminder a few weeks early, and a second one closer to the time. Passports in particular can take a while, so it helps to start early, especially before planned travel. Put the official website link in the reminder so it is ready when you need it.

Keep the papers together

A single folder, physical or digital, for these documents means you know where to look. Keeping a secure record of each document's expiry date can also help. If you photograph documents, store the images securely and avoid keeping sensitive details somewhere other people could easily access.

An example

Jo adds her passport date to her list and notices it runs out in May. She sets a reminder for January with the GOV.UK renewal link inside. When it pops up, she renews it the same evening instead of worrying about it in spring.

Further help and useful resources

Use GOV.UK's Renew or replace your adult passport page to check the renewal process. Renew your driving licence explains renewal in Great Britain and links to the separate Northern Ireland service. Check the MOT status of a vehicle lets you look up when its certificate expires. Check the official pages for current requirements, timings and fees. The links are in Sources & references below.