Brits told to check this on their licence or risk | Tech News

Drivers have been urged to double check a quantity on their driving licence as more than two million might be risking a hefty fantastic this 12 months. Motorists ought to look at the expiry date of their licence to make sure it doesn’t run out quickly. This warning comes as information from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has proven that 2.3 million photocard licences are set to expire in 2025.

On high of this, round 300,000 drivers didn’t renew their licences final 12 months which means they might be driving illegally. If you’re caught driving with an expired licence you have to be fined up to £1,000.

Not solely this, however you possibly can additionally obtain factors on your licence and have your car seized. An knowledgeable from BigWantsYourAutomotive.com defined: “Driving with an expired licence is not a minor issue – it’s a criminal offence.

Many drivers aren’t even aware that their licence has an expiry date, but if you’re caught, the consequences are serious. “You could be fined up to £1,000, receive up to six points on your licence, and even have your car seized.”

How to check in case your driving licence is expired

You can check the expiry date printed on the entrance of your photocard licence, sometimes in part 4b. Licences are legitimate for 10 years from the date of concern and should be renewed to stay legally legitimate. They added: “It’s a good idea to set a reminder or check the DVLA website periodically.

“Don’t assume you’ll get a renewal letter — if your address isn’t up to date, you might miss it.” Drivers should additionally keep their licence particulars up to date – this contains identify adjustments, deal with adjustments, and disclosing any medical circumstances that would have an effect on your means to drive.

“Many people don’t realise that driving with out-of-date information is just as risky as driving with an expired licence. If your licence doesn’t reflect your current name or address, or you fail to declare medical issues, it can be treated as invalid,” the spokesperson added.

This may cause important issues within the occasion of an accident or insurance coverage declare. If your licence isn’t up-to-date, your insurance coverage might be invalid too

Many insurance coverage insurance policies require you to have a legitimate driving licence. Driving with an expired or incorrect licence might give insurers a motive to reject a declare.

“It’s a hidden risk many drivers don’t think about. Even if you pay for comprehensive cover, your insurer may decline to pay out if they find your licence has expired or is invalid. That could mean being left with the full cost of a repair or liability claim,” mentioned BigWantsYourAutomotive.com.

Renewing your licence will be completed online by way of the official DVLA web site, on the Post Office, or by post. The normal renewal price is £14 online, and also you’ll need a legitimate UK passport picture.

If you get caught

If stopped by police whereas driving with an expired or invalid licence:

• You could also be issued a fixed penalty discover on the spot
• Police have the facility to seize the vehicle
• Your insurance coverage supplier might be notified

Depending on the severity, the case might be referred to courtroom, the place the utmost fantastic is £1,000 and extra factors might be added to your report.