DVLA warning as over 900k drivers face £1,000 fine due to expired licences

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A new investigation has found that more than 900,000 drivers risk a £1,000 fine for failing to renew their photocard licences.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency ( DVLA ) figures obtained by the PA news agency found that 926,000 people had out-of-date photo cards as of September 3.

These figures represent two percent of all drivers in the UK, reports Wales Online, although a small proportion are likely to have stopped driving without notifying the DVLA.

It was also found that 2.5 million drivers renewed their photocard after it had expired or within 56 days of the expiry date in the past year.The DVLA says it writes to people 56 days before their licence ends to remind them to renew, but some drivers miss these letters as they do not update the agency when their address changes.Driving entitlement normally remains until someone reaches 70, after which they must renew their licence every three years to stay on the road.But photocards must be renewed every 10 years to ensure the image is a true likeness of the driver.