Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning for all drivers to check their driving licenses – or risk a £1000 fine.
Speaking on the Martin Lewis Money Show he asked any motorists watching to check that their licenses are still valid, despite a shift in rules because of the pandemic.
He said: “Driving licenses last for a long time, but the photo is only valid for 10 years and 2.3 million of them are out of date.”
He added that right now 2.3million driving licence photocards were out of date. However the DVLA has extended these licenses due to the pandemic.
Car drivers are advised to renew their photo card licence every 10 years, while bus and lorry drivers must do so every five years.
"If your photocard lapses between February 1 and August 31, it will add seven months to your licence," he said.
But he warned viewers: “If it lapsed before then, I’d get on and renew it, because if you get stopped by the police while driving, it can be a problem.”
In the UK, driving without a valid licence carries a £1,000 penalty.
It costs £14 to renew your photocard (£17 by post) and you can check if yours is out of date in section 4b on your driving licence.
If you've recently changed your name or your address is inaccurate, you could also run the risk of a huge fine if you’re stopped by the police.
The good news is you can make these changes for free online or by post.
