In the past year, nearly one million drivers' photocard licences have expired, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has said
A whopping 926,000 people are at risk of a huge £1,000 fine for failing to renew their driving licence, an investigation has found. In the past year, nearly one million drivers' photocard licences have expired, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has said.
. This is to ensure the image of the driver on the card is a true likeness. Should a driver fail to return an expired licence to the DVLA, they could be slapped with a fine of up to £1,000 under the the Road Traffic Act 1988.The DVLA says it writes to people 56 days before their licence ends to remind them to renew, but many drivers miss the letters as they do not update the agency when their address changes. Renewing late does not lead to a fine being issued.
Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation said: “There are good reasons to keep licences up to date, beyond the basic legal requirement. They are also a widely accepted form of ID and will certainly be required if you are ever stopped by police. Renewal also provides an opportunity for people to assess whether they are still fit to drive, and we think there is an argument for linking a compulsory eye test to the process to make sure we all remain safe on the road.
Some 2.5 million drivers renewed their photocard after it had expired or within 56 days of the expiry date in the past year. Driving entitlement normally remains until someone reaches 70, after which they must renew their licence every three years to stay on the road.