Martin Lewis is back with another gem of advice – and this time, he’s urging everyone with a driving licence to give it a proper once-over or risk getting slapped with a hefty £1,000 fine. It’s one of those boring but important admin jobs that can seriously catch you out if ignored.
According to the DVLA, a staggering 2.3 million driving licences are due to expire in 2025 – and if you’re caught on the road with an out-of-date one, you could find yourself in trouble. Martin’s advice? Don’t wait. Check now.
First things first, he says to look at the expiry date on your photocard. Since 1998, paper licenses have been phased out in favor of photocards, which need to be renewed every 10 years. You’ll find the expiry date on section 4B on the front – and if it’s creeping up, it’s time to act, reported Metro.co.uk.
Renewing isn’t too painful, either. It’s £14 if you do it online or £17 through the post. All you’ll need is a valid passport for ID purposes. If you’re over 70, the renewal period changes to every three years – but the bonus is, it’s free. The same goes for anyone with a short-term medical licence.
Martin’s site also flagged that you’re generally allowed to keep driving while your renewal is being processed, as long as you’re sticking to the types of vehicles you were previously allowed to drive, you’ve not been advised by a medical professional to stop, and you’re not banned.
However, if you’re waiting for a new licence because of a declared medical condition, you’ll need to be sure you meet the DVLA’s medical standards before hitting the road.
The second thing Martin says to double-check is your address. If it’s wrong and you get pulled over, that’s another situation where that £1,000 fine could come into play. But don’t panic – updating your address is straightforward. You can do it as many times as you need to online via the Gov.UK site or through the post, and it’s totally free.
And finally, make sure your name and gender are up to date if either has changed. Again, no drama – just fill out a D1 form (which you can order from Gov.UK), send it off with any supporting documents, and the DVLA will sort it. Just like address changes, updating your name doesn’t cost a penny, no matter how many times you do it.
Martin’s warning might sound like a faff at first, but it’s one of those small things that could save you a serious financial sting. So if you haven’t looked at your licence in a while, now might be a good time to dig it out and give it a check – before the fine comes knocking.
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