Drivers have been warned about a 10-year rule that could see them hit with a £1,000 fine. Failing to renew your licence every decade can be costly.
In a post made to social media platform X, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reminded motorists that they need to renew their licences every 10 years.
This alert comes as DVLA data previously showed that 2.3 million photocard licences were due to expire in 2025.
Approximately 300,000 drivers neglected to renew their licences last year, potentially resulting in illegal driving. If caught driving with an expired licence, you could be fined up to £1,000.
In addition to this, points could be added to your licence and your vehicle may be seized. The DVLA said: “10 years can fly by when you’re having fun!
“Remember to renew your driving licence every 10 years, then the journey can go on! This pit stop is quick and easy, go to http://gov.uk/renewdrivinglicence.”
How to renew your licence
You only need to renew your licence if it has expired or is about to do so. The expiry date can be found on the front of your photocard licence, typically in section 4b.
Licences are valid for 10 years from the date of issue and must be renewed to remain legally valid. Drivers must also keep their licence details current – this includes name changes, address changes, and disclosing any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive.
If your licence is not current, it could cause significant issues in the event of an accident or insurance claim, potentially rendering your insurance invalid.
You can renew your licence online through the official DVLA website, at the Post Office, or by post. The standard cost for renewal is £14 online, and you will need a valid UK passport photo.
If you are stopped by the police while driving with an expired or invalid licence, you may face immediate consequences:
- You could be issued a fixed penalty notice on the spot
- The police have the authority to seize the vehicle
- Your insurance provider could be informed
Depending on the severity, the case could be taken to court, where the maximum fine is £1,000 and additional points could be added to your record.
There are different licence renewal rules if you are aged 70. You can renew your licence for free if you’re 70 or over, or will be 70 in the next 90 days, and:
- Your British licence has expired – or it’s going to expire within 90 days
- You’re a resident of Great Britain (there’s a different service in Northern Ireland)
- You meet the minimum eyesight requirement
- You aren’t prevented from driving for any reason
Once you reach 70, you must renew every three years.