Drivers in the UK have been urged to double-check their licences before getting behind the wheel, as failing to do so could lead to a hefty fine.
Depending on when you passed your test, or when your licence was last renewed, it's possible that it could be out of date without you even thinking to check.
Operating a vehicle without a valid licence is an example of fraudulent behaviour, and if you're caught by the police with an out-of-date card, you may be slapped with a £1,000 fine - whether you knew it had expired or not.
Liverpool Echo reports that a recent study by the car insurance team at Comparethemarket found that more than one in five of UK motorists could face the fine for driving with an expired licence without realising.
Meanwhile, more than one in 10 UK drivers don't even know that their licence has an expiry date at all.
Julie Daniels from Comparethemarket said: "It’s concerning that our survey revealed that more than one in 10 British motorists are unaware that their driving licences expire. Continuing to drive with an expired driving licence – knowingly or unknowingly – could land you with a £1,000 fine."
She added: "To avoid serious consequences and avoid having a fraudulent driving licence, it’s vital to renew your licence as soon as it expires. Driving licences expire every 10 years, so you should memorise the expiry date on your licence and make a note of it somewhere you won’t forget, like your phone calendar.
"The DVLA will also send you a reminder when your licence is due to expire, so make sure to keep your contact details up to date.”
You can renew your licence on the Government website, for which you'll need your valid UK passport handy, as well as your address details from the past three years.
Renewal costs £14, but you won't need to pay this if you're over the age of 70 or have a medical short period licence. After applying, your new card should arrive within a week.
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