‘Take action this year’ alert to five million | Tech News

Fresh figures reveal that thousands and thousands of motorists throughout the UK should take pressing action in 2026. Co-op Insurance said that Freedom of Information knowledge secured from the DVLA confirmed more than half a million drivers in Britain might at the moment be working autos with out legitimate licences.

The mutual organisation’s analysis uncovered that just about 300,000 driving licence photocards which lapsed between July and December 2025 remained unrenewed. Additionally, over 210,000 entitlements to drive that expired during the identical timeframe have been nonetheless awaiting renewal.

Furthermore, roughly 2.7 million driving licence photocards are due to expire all through this yr, while more than two million licence holders’ driving entitlements will even lapse in 2026. Co-op said the information underscored how licence renewal will be uncared for by drivers, incessantly unintentionally, regardless of the legal and financial penalties linked to failing to keep present documentation.

Driving licence renewal guidelines

By law, each full and provisional driving licence holders should renew their photocard each 10 years, so those that have been issued with one back in 2016 will now be due to renew, however these aged 70 and over should renew each three years. Renewing a licence prices £14 when utilized for online. The expiry date will be situated in part 4b of a photocard licence, whereas column 11 on the reverse of a driving licence shows the date when a driver’s entitlement for a vehicle class expires, which generally aligns with their seventieth birthday.

Operating a vehicle with an expired driving licence or photocard is in opposition to the law, and people caught doing so could possibly be hit with a advantageous reaching £1,000 and obtain between three and 6 penalty factors on their licence.

Furthermore, driving with an invalid licence might end in police confiscating the vehicle and potential prosecution. Holding an out-of-date licence might additionally void a driver’s insurance coverage, leaving them personally chargeable for any damages or accidents ought to an accident happen.

With motor insurance coverage claims doubtlessly reaching tens of hundreds of kilos, motorists driving with invalid licences might face substantial financial penalties, in accordance to Co-op’s own knowledge.

Paul Evans, head of motor at Co-op Insurance, mentioned: “Driving is a crucial part of everyday life for so many people, whether that’s for work or leisure. Unfortunately, our findings show that many people may be unaware that they’re no longer legally entitled to drive or are at risk of being unable to in the near future, due to their driving licence being invalid.

“We are encouraging motorists to examine their driving licences to be sure that they’re in date, as they are going to face important penalties if their licence is discovered to be invalid.

“We would also remind people that if your licence has expired, it could invalidate your insurance and lead to any claims you make being declined.”

Furthermore, in 2025, the DVLA dispatched more than 930,000 alternative driving licence photocards to drivers. These have been issued for quite a few causes, encompassing these reported as stolen, defaced, or destroyed, alongside these declared misplaced. Obtaining a alternative full or provisional driving licence photocard prices £20 and will be accomplished online, by phone or via the post.