DVLA could fine one million drivers for breaking vital licence rule

A staggering number of drivers are flirting with the risk of a hefty DVLA fine for neglecting an essential requirement. InsureDaily's analysis indicates that at least three per cent of motorists were prepared to hit the road with an expired driving licence last year.

Paul Daly, Director at InsureDaily, highlighted that many of these drivers knew they were flouting the law. He commented: "When we contacted some of these drivers to advise them why we could not cover them, the majority of them were well aware that their licence had expired and that it was breaking the law."

He further explained the legalities tied to insurance policies, stating: "It is a requirement when taking out a motor vehicle insurance policy that you are legally allowed to drive and have a valid driving licence. If you do not adhere to this requirement, you could be invalidating your insurance cover".

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Checks conducted with the DVLA revealed that around three per cent of drivers were attempting to secure insurance despite their licences being out of date. In the UK, photocard licences must be renewed every 10 years to ensure that police and other authorities have the most current image available for identification purposes, as noted by Carwow.

Driving on an expired licence in the UK can lead to six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000, reports Birmingham Live.

The DVLA, or DVA in Northern Ireland, will send a reminder to your last registered address as your renewal date approaches. As stated on the DVLA's website, renewing your licence costs £14.

However, if you are over 70 or have a medical short-period licence, there is no fee for renewal.

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