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Fees to renew, exchange or amend your full or provisional driving licence - or to get a duplicate if yours has been lost, stolen or damaged

Check what safety requirements and insurance are needed to use a boat on UK rivers, canals, or at sea - boat safety certificates, safety regulations and equipment, disposing of old flares

• Overview

  You must follow safety regulations and check whether you need insurance if…

• Safety on inland waterways

  You may need to get a Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate before you can…

• Safety at sea

  You must follow international safety regulations if you’re using a boat at…

• Insurance

  You should check what kind of insurance you need - it depends on how and…

A patent registers your invention and lets you take legal action against anyone who makes, uses, sells or imports your invention without your permission.

• Overview

  A UK patent may help if you want to take legal action against someone who…

• Before you apply

  Only apply for a patent if: you’ve checked your invention does not already…

• Decide which type of application to file

  There are different applications you can make depending on: your…

• Prepare your documents

  A patent application must include: a description of your invention that…

• File your initial application

  Before you file your application, make sure that you’ve: decided on what…

• After you apply

  Once you’ve filed an application you’ll get a receipt with your…

• Search, publication and examination

  Before your patent can be granted the Intellectual Property Office (IPO)…

• When a patent is granted

  If your patent is granted: your application will be published in its final…

Finding the right advice and advisor is the first step in making the best decisions for your invention or business.

• Updated: 26 November 2025

Find registered patents, patent applications and pending patents, as well as supplementary protection certificates (SPCs)

You must tell DVLA if your attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects your driving - download the correct form to let them know.

We’re the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), maintaining nearly 53 million driver records and more than 47 million vehicle records. Last year (2024 to 2025), we collected £8.4 billion in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). DVLA is an executive agency,...

• Updated: 8 June 2026

Search for decisions from patent hearings

Guidance for UK businesses on rules for selling services to Italy.

• Updated: 11 June 2021

What to consider when moving, living, or retiring abroad – including visas, healthcare, tax and pensions.

• Updated: 12 January 2026