Did you pass your driving test before 2014? You could be breaking the law and in line for a £1,000 fine
DRIVERS have been warned that they could be breaking the law if they passed their driving test before 2014.
Motorists need to make sure they check their licences, as they could have missed an important update that could see them caught out by a hefty fine.
Photocard licences must be renewed every ten years to ensure that the photo is a recent and true likeness of the driver.
The gov.uk website warns that if drivers fail to renew their licence, they will be breaking the law and risk a fine of up to £1,000.
Richard Evans, head of technical services at WeBuyAnyCar, told The Northern Echo: “To drive anywhere legally, you must hold a valid driving licence which has the most up-to-date and correct details of your name, date of birth and full address.
“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%) drivers say they’ve seen motoring costs increase over the last 12 months. And with rising costs across the board, drivers should take extra precautions to ensure they aren’t stung with additional charges, like unnecessary fines.”
Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation added: “There are good reasons to keep licences up to date beyond the basic legal requirement.
“They are also a widely accepted form of ID and will certainly be required if you are ever stopped by police.
“Renewal also provides an opportunity for people to assess whether they are still fit to drive, and we think there is an argument for linking a compulsory eye test to the process to make sure we all remain safe on the road, though Government should help keep costs as low as possible for motorists.”
DVLA advise drivers to renew on its official website as it’s the quickest and cheapest method.
Applications cost £14 and are processed within five days.
But postal renewals cost £17, while doing it at a Post Office has a £21.50 fee.
A DVLA spokeswoman said: “We encourage customers to use GOV.UK, as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence.
“If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather than keeping it as a form of out-of-date photo ID.”
This comes after a driving expert revealed how a little-known parking loophole could help you avoid a hefty fine and potentially save you hundreds.
Plus, hundreds of number plates dubbed ‘too offensive for the road’ have been banned by the DVLA.