Drivers are being urged to renew their licence as soon as possible if they passed their test before 2014 as they could be hit with massive fines if it has expired.
Motorists in the UK are required to renew their driving licence every 10 years until they turn 70, when the deadline changes to every three years.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will send notice letters to motorists before their licence is set to expire to ensure they can stay on the road.
Given that they expire every 10 years, drivers who last renewed their licence at the end of 2013 and in 2014 are being urged to renew as soon as possible.
Drivers are being urged to renew their licence or they could be hit with a large fine
PA
The GOV.UK website states that motorists and riders have a legal obligation to have the correct driving licence, in addition to meeting the minimum driving range and minimum eyesight rules.
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, stressed the importance of knowing when a driving licence is about to expire and what people should know about renewing.
He said: “If you know your license is about to expire, or your personal details have changed, it’s crucial you update your licence.
“Our research found that almost all (93 per cent) drivers say they’ve seen motoring costs increase over the last 12 months.
“And with rising costs across the board, drivers should take extra precaution to ensure they aren’t stung with additional charges, like unnecessary fines.”
Evans added that drivers who do not have a valid licence could be hit with a £1,00 fine and even risk having their vehicle seized.
He said this was a “much heavier price to pay” than the price of updating their licence, which costs £14 to renew when applying online.
If someone is renewing online, their licence should arrive within a week, with the DVLA suggesting that its online portal is a more suitable option for sorting their motoring documents.
When applying at a Post Office, drivers will need to pay a £21.50 fee, while those sending a “D1” pack through the post being charged £17.
Motorists who have not renewed since before 2014 may see a number of changes to their new photocard driving licence following changes that were introduced the year prior.
On January 19, 2013, the European Union Third Directive on driving licences was launched, with new changes including the format of how dates and categories will be shown as well as changing the date in column 4b to show the licence expiry date.
Drivers who need help renewing are being urged to do so before the Christmas break as DVLA contact centre opening times may differ.
The contact centre will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Shorter working hours will be in place between Christmas and New Year, with hours expected to return to normal from Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
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The DVLA contact centre will be closed at times during the festive period
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The DVLA has confirmed that all online services will be in working order for customers through the Christmas and New Year period.
