Motorists could be hit with a fine if they disregard a single letter from the DVLA. The DVLA typically sends out reminders to drivers whose licences are nearing their expiry date and need renewing. All photocard driving licences must be renewed every 10 years or they become invalid.
This rule applies not only to full driving licences, but also to provisional ones across England, Scotland, and Wales. While most individuals can renew their licence online for £14, some may not qualify for this service.
This includes residents of Northern Ireland who must use a different service for renewal, as well as those who have been banned from driving. Different rules apply for those over 70 needing to renew their licence.
How to renew your licence
Most people will be able to renew their licence through the government’s online service. Once this has been done and the fee has been paid, the new licence will be valid from the date the application was approved.
However, if your name or title has changed since your current licence was issued, you’ll need to apply for a new one either through your local Post Office or by post. When you receive your renewal reminder in the post, take it to the Post Office along with your photocard licence and pay a £21.50 fee.
If you’ve had a name change, the only way to apply is by post, using a D1 pack of forms from the Post Office. Simply fill out the form and send it to the DVLA office in Swansea.
If you’re over the age of 70
If you’re over the age of 70 and you need to renew your licence, you can use a separate online government service. In order to use this service, your licence must be set to expire within 90 days and you must meet minimum eyesight requirements and not be prevented from driving for any reason.
Once you hit 70, it’s mandatory to renew your licence every three years.
Fine for having an out-of-date licence
If you let your licence lapse and don’t renew it, you could face severe penalties for driving. If caught driving without a valid licence, you could be slapped with up to six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.
Bear in mind, if you’re also driving uninsured, you could face an unlimited fine. In more serious cases, you could even be banned from driving.