Motorists face £1,000 fines as thousands of photocard driving licences expire
THOUSANDS of motorists are at risk of being fined up to £1,000 because they are unintentionally driving without a valid licence.
The new style photocard driving licences were first issued ten years ago in 1998 and many motorists have failed to spot that they automatically expire after ten years and have to be renewed at a cost of £17.50.
DVLA figures revealed that 16,136 expired this summer, but so far only 11,566 drivers have renewed them, leaving 4,570 outstanding. With another 300,000 photocard licences due to expire over the coming year, the number of invalid licences could soar.
Neil Cunliffe, Lancashire County Council’s Road Safety Group Manager said:
“We want to make drivers across Lancashire aware of this issue and ensure they are not driving without a valid licence.
We recommend that all drivers who have a photocard licence check to see when it expires. If you look at the key on the back of the card, number ‘4b’ states when your licence is valid to.”
Motorists who fail to renew their licences in time are allowed to continue driving but the DVLA says they could be charged with 'failing to surrender their licence', an offence carrying a £1,000 fine.
A spokesman for the DVLA said:
“It is important that photocards are updated every ten years to ensure the police and other enforcement agencies can identify whether a driving licence is being used fraudulently. The agency is sending reminders to drivers whose photocard is due to expire.”
For more information contact the Road Safety Group on 0800 328 1635 or email roadsafety@lancashire.gov.uk
