Millions of UK drivers issued £1,000 warning as crucial update due in 2025
Millions of British drivers have been urged to act swiftly or risk being slapped with a hefty driving fine, or even worse, a ban.
Recent data reveals a whopping 2.3 million UK driving licences are due to expire in 2025, with more than 300,000 expired licences from last year yet to be renewed, putting millions of motorists at risk of legal and financial repercussions. Driving with an expired licence is a criminal offence in the UK. If caught, motorists can face a fine of up to £1,000 and receive between three and six penalty points on their licence.
In more severe cases, such as repeat offences, drivers may be disqualified from driving and their vehicles could be seized by the police. Insurance companies may also decline any claims made while driving with an invalid licence, which could leave drivers liable for significant financial losses — according to Co-op Insurance, some claims in 2024 reached up to £42,000.
Tyre content manager at Blackcircles, Nyo Logan, explained: "Driving with an expired driving license is a criminal offence, and drivers caught with an expired license could face a fine of up to £1,000. The offender can also be given 3-6 penalty points on their license, and have their vehicle seized by police.
"By law, motorists must renew their photocard license every 10 years, so those who were issued with one in 2015 should renew it this year. If you are over 70, you will be sent a renewal notice from the DVLA every three years.
"On a photo driving licence, the expiry date can be found in section 4b on the front of the card. This is the side that has the photo of the driver." There are several ways to renew a driving licence in the UK:
Online: If you have a UK passport, you can renew your licence online via the official government website: Gov.uk/renew-driving-licence
By post: Obtain a 'D1' form from your local Post Office, or download it from the government website — Gov.uk/dvlaforms — and then send it to the DVLA
Post Office: Some Post Office branches allow you to renew your licence in person for a fee, typically around £21.50. Bring your existing photocard licence for verification.
Renewing online is often the quickest and most convenient method. The process generally takes up to three weeks, though it can sometimes be longer. Drivers aged over 70 or those with certain medical conditions may be eligible to renew for free.
The DVLA posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Due to renew your driving licence? Do it online. It's easy, quick and secure to renew on gov.uk."
Your driving licence must always reflect your current legal name and address. Failing to update these details can also result in a fine of up to £1,000 and invalidate your licence. If you change your name or move house, you must notify the DVLA and update your licence and vehicle log book (V5C) within a few weeks. There is no fee for updating your name or address and you can do so as often as needed. To change your name, gender or address, order the 'D1 application for a driving licence' form from the Gov.uk website.
Medical conditions can also affect your eligibility to drive. You are legally required to inform the DVLA if you develop a 'notifiable' medical condition, or if an existing condition worsens. These include epilepsy, sleep apnoea, glaucoma and heart problems, as well as anything that could impact your ability to drive safely. If your doctor advises you to stop driving for three months or more due to a medical issue, you must surrender your licence to the DVLA. You can reapply for your licence once you meet the required medical standards.
With millions of licences set to expire this year, UK motorists are strongly encouraged to check their licence expiry dates and ensure their details are up to date by experts and the DVLA to avoid fines, penalty points, invalidated insurance — and even being banned from driving altogether.
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