Money expert Martin Lewis has warned motorists to make sure their driving licence is as up to date as possible or risk a hefty fine. The Money Saving Expert founder issued an email which said as many as two million photo licences were no longer valid.
The Mirror reports that photo driving licences were first introduced back in 1998 and must be renewed every 10 years. Those who fail to do so can land themselves with a fine of up to £1,000. Part of the reason for the renewal every decade is to help the authorities catch anyone driving illegally.
As part of the renewal process, you're asked to submit a true-to-life photo of yourself, as your appearance will probably have changed over the last ten years. This element of the process allows police to spot drivers who are using the wrong licence. You can get more traffic and travel news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
How to check and renew your driving licence
The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) should send you a reminder letter around one month or so before your current licence expires. This should be your call to action to start the renewal process. You can also check the expiry date printed on section 4b on the front of your photocard. Once you have completed your renewal, your new licence will be valid from the date your application is approved - not from the expiry date of your current licence.
There are several ways to renew your photocard licence - online via the Gov.uk website, by post or in person at select Post Office locations. It costs £14 to renew your driving licence online, or £17 if you renew by post. If you do it at the Post Office, there is an additional £4.50 charge to take your photo and post your application as well. Once you reach the age of 70, you need to renew your driving licence every three years - but this is free to do. The DVLA has advised older drivers to ensure that they only use the Government website for their renewal.
What happens if my driving licence has already expired?
You won’t get a fine for renewing your driving licence late - but the DVLA says you shouldn't drive until it has received your completed renewal application. If your licence expires while your application is being processed, you can continue driving as long as you meet certain conditions. This includes only driving vehicles that you were previously allowed to drive. You can also carry on driving if you're not being told by a doctor or optician that you shouldn't drive.
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