AN URGENT warning has been issued for drivers as hundreds face an £1,000 nice in the event that they overlook one essential element.
Greater than 900,000 drivers are risking the penalty charge after failing to resume photocard licences which expired previously yr.
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Driver and Car Licensing Company (DVLA) figures present 926,000 individuals entitled to drive in Britain held playing cards on September 3 which grew to become old-fashioned within the 12 months to the top of August.
That represents 2 p.c of all drivers.
A small proportion of the 926,000 are more likely to have stopped driving with out notifying the DVLA.
Some 2.5 million drivers renewed their photocard after it had expired or inside 56 days of the expiry date previously yr, knowledge provided to PA Media present.
Driving entitlement usually stays till somebody reaches 70, after which they have to renew their licence each three years to remain on the street.
However Photocards should be renewed each 10 years to make sure the picture is a real likeness of the driving force.
Expiry dates are displayed in part 4b on the entrance of playing cards.
Failing to return an expired licence to the Driver and Car Licensing Company (DVLA) is an offence beneath the Highway Site visitors Act 1988 and may be punished with a nice of as much as £1,000.
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The DVLA says it writes to individuals 56 days earlier than their licence ends to remind them to resume, however many drivers miss the letters as they don’t replace the company when their deal with modifications.
Renewing late doesn’t result in a nice being issued.
If a licence expires whereas the DVLA is processing a renewal utility, the particular person can proceed to drive so long as they meet standards comparable to following the principles of their earlier licence.
After a photocard is surrendered, somebody who drives with out renewing their licence may very well be prosecuted for driving in any other case in accordance with a licence.
Philip Gomm of the RAC Basis stated: “There are good causes to maintain licences updated, past the fundamental authorized requirement.
“They’re additionally a extensively accepted type of ID and will definitely be required if you’re ever stopped by police.
“Renewal additionally supplies a chance for individuals to evaluate whether or not they’re nonetheless match to drive, and we expect there’s an argument for linking a obligatory eye take a look at to the method to verify all of us stay secure on the street, although Authorities ought to assist preserve prices as little as attainable for motorists.
“Once you do renew beware of personal web pages which provide to assist with the applying however cost an additional charge for doing so.”
The DVLA advises individuals to resume on its official web site as it’s the quickest and least expensive methodology.
Purposes price £14 and are normally processed inside 5 days.
Third celebration web sites cost extra charges.
Postal renewals price £17, whereas doing it at a Put up Workplace has a £21.50 charge.
A DVLA spokeswoman stated: “We encourage prospects to make use of GOV.UK as making use of on-line is the quickest and least expensive option to renew their photocard driving licence.
“If you happen to cease driving altogether, you need to inform DVLA and return your licence relatively retaining it as a type of old-fashioned photograph ID.”
