Millions of UK drivers issued £1,000 warning as crucial update due in 2025
Millions of British drivers have been urged to act swiftly or risk being slapped with a hefty driving fine, or even worse, a ban.
Recent data reveals a whopping 2.3 million UK driving licences are due to expire in 2025, with more than 300,000 expired licences from last year yet to be renewed, putting millions of motorists at risk of legal and financial repercussions. Driving with an expired licence is a criminal offence in the UK. If caught, motorists can face a fine of up to £1,000 and receive between three and six penalty points on their licence.
In more severe cases, such as repeat offences, drivers may be disqualified from driving and their vehicles could be seized by the police. Insurance companies may also decline any claims made while driving with an invalid licence, which could leave drivers liable for significant financial losses — according to Co-op Insurance, some claims in 2024 reached up to £42,000.
Tyre content manager at Blackcircles, Nyo Logan, explained: "Driving with an expired driving license is a criminal offence, and drivers caught with an expired license could face a fine of up to £1,000. The offender can also be given 3-6 penalty points on their license, and have their vehicle seized by police.
"By law, motorists must renew their photocard license every 10 years, so those who were issued with one in 2015 should renew it this year. If you are over 70, you will be sent a renewal notice from the DVLA every three years.
"On a photo driving licence, the expiry date can be found in section 4b on the front of the card. This is the side that has the photo of the driver." There are several ways to renew a driving licence in the UK:
Online: If you have a UK passport, you can renew your licence online via the official government website: Gov.uk/renew-driving-licence
By post: Obtain a 'D1' form from your local Post Office, or download it from the government website — Gov.uk/dvlaforms — and then send it to the DVLA
Post Office: Some Post Office branches allow you to renew your licence in person for a fee, typically around £21.50. Bring your existing photocard licence for verification.
Renewing online is often the quickest and most convenient method. The process generally takes up to three weeks, though it can sometimes be longer. Drivers aged over 70 or those with certain medical conditions may be eligible to renew for free.
The DVLA posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Due to renew your driving licence? Do it online. It's easy, quick and secure to renew on gov.uk."
Your driving licence must always reflect your current legal name and address. Failing to update these details can also result in a fine of up to £1,000 and invalidate your licence. If you change your name or move house, you must notify the DVLA and update your licence and vehicle log book (V5C) within a few weeks. There is no fee for updating your name or address and you can do so as often as needed. To change your name, gender or address, order the 'D1 application for a driving licence' form from the Gov.uk website.
Medical conditions can also affect your eligibility to drive. You are legally required to inform the DVLA if you develop a 'notifiable' medical condition, or if an existing condition worsens. These include epilepsy, sleep apnoea, glaucoma and heart problems, as well as anything that could impact your ability to drive safely. If your doctor advises you to stop driving for three months or more due to a medical issue, you must surrender your licence to the DVLA. You can reapply for your licence once you meet the required medical standards.
With millions of licences set to expire this year, UK motorists are strongly encouraged to check their licence expiry dates and ensure their details are up to date by experts and the DVLA to avoid fines, penalty points, invalidated insurance — and even being banned from driving altogether.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Drivers warned of seven popular car accessories that could invalidate insurance
Drivers warned of seven popular car accessories that could invalidate insurance Vehicle modifications are subject to legal regulations and insurance considerations. Drivers should be aware of the accessories which could land them in trouble (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) In the UK, car customisation is growing more popular than ever, including the surge in demand for personalised number plates and even car stickers. While popular, vehicle modifications are also subject to legal regulations and insurance considerations that drivers need to be aware of. Motoring experts are now warning drivers that they may be unknowingly invalidating their car insurance with common accessories. From air fresheners to baby on board signs, drivers should be aware of the items that could impact their insurance claims. New driver car insurance experts at Zego said: "Many of these popular accessories for your car pose not only an insurance risk but also could land you with hefty fines and points on your license. "If it is deemed that your vision is obstructed, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of £100, which could increase to £1000 if taken to court, and you could be slapped with three points on your licence. So it is always important to seek guidance for car accessories before purchasing to avoid accidents, rejected insurance claims and penalties." Seven ways you could be unknowingly invalidating car insurance 1. 'Baby on board' and other signs Often used to encourage safer driving by other road users, 'baby on board' and other signs like 'anxious driver'and 'elderly driver' could actually cost you your cover. Article continues below If placed incorrectly, these safety signs can become a hazard by obstructing the vision of the driver, and if resulting in an accident, they could stand in the way of a payout. 2. Air fresheners on your rear-view mirror Although fuzzy dice may have gone out of style for now, hanging objects like air fresheners, rosary beads and even dreamcatchers are often hung in British drivers' cars. If large enough, these accessories can pose a risk of obstructing vision, causing drivers to miss pedestrians, cyclists and even road signs. 3. Bumper stickers and decals A common misconception about car insurance cover is that cosmetic modifications do not matter to insurance providers, as you aren't altering the car's performance or safety, but even small stickers need to be declared as modifications, as they can impact how insurers assess risks. For example, if you have a business decal on your vehicle, it may indicate commercial use, which requires a different type of cover. Also, for some, it increases the risk of theft as you could have tools or equipment stored inside. 4. Football flags Football team pride is very strong in the UK, and with football car flags selling for as little as 50p, the temptation to represent your team can be overwhelming. However, they carry the risk of up to a whopping £2,500 penalty. Placement matters for flags, where if they are insecure, they risk an on-the-spot fine or court appearance, or if they obstruct vision, they also carry fine risks. They can even increase the chances of vandalism and theft, all of which are likely to warrant a driver to make an insurance claim. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 5. Dashboard ornaments and decorations Dashboard ornaments from bobbleheads to Jellycats often cause risks from insecure fixing, to vision obstructions or distractions, all of which would lead to an accident. Other dashboard decor, such as bedazzling dashboards, could exacerbate injury if airbags deploy. 6. Seasonal decorations From spare wheel covers, number plate decals, to battery-powered Christmas lights or mini Christmas trees, seasonal accessories often spark joy for drivers and pedestrians. However, these decorations can cause distractions for yourself and other drivers, as well as be fire hazards. 7. Steering wheel, gear shift and handbrake covers Although they may increase visual impact or even comfort for the driver, adorning your car with covers, which is becoming an increasingly popular trend on TikTok, such as on the steering wheel, could result in up to 11 points on your licence. If you lose control of your vehicle due to the cover, it could be deemed as dangerous driving, and if you need to claim, it may be rejected. Article continues below
Auto Blog
14 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Ford's $30K Electric Pickup Could Crush Jeff Bezos-Backed Rival
One's better for towing, and one uses less fuel but which one's the better truck overall? The electric crossover segment is home to some of the industry's top rivalries, including that of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. With a targeted price tag of just $30,000, the new battery-electric pickup Ford Motor Co. announced this week promises good news for buyers looking for an all-electric truck that won't break the bank. Costing barely half as much as the typical EV sold in the U.S. this year, Ford is betting it will position the automaker as one of the leaders in the EV market. Source: Ford That could be bad news for another brand focused solely on the affordable EV segment, the Jeff Bezos-backed Slate Auto, which in April revealed its own electric pickup it currently expects to start delivering next year at a starting price of $27,000. While Slate would appear to have an advantage when it comes to cost, Ford's 'Universal EV' has lots going for it, with Sam Abuelsamid, chief analyst at Telemetry Research, declaring 'Slate is cooked.' Wanted: an Affordable EV Cadillac Escalade IQ — Source: Cadillac After surging eightfold between 2019 and 2023, EV sales have since lost much of their momentum, market share sliding to just 8.6% at the end of the first half of 2025, according to Cox Automotive data. Part of the problem is that early adopters have largely already gotten the vehicles they want. Further growth depends upon targeting more mainstream buyers. That isn't easy, however, when the average transaction price for an EV was $55,689 in July, according to Kelley Blue Book. For all new vehicles sold in the U.S. last month, the average, or ATP, was $48,401. Complicating matters: the $7,500 federal tax credit many EV customers depended on will go away at the end of the September due to the federal budget bill enacted last month. To kickstart the market, analysts widely agree, means bringing out more new EVs priced in the low $30,000 range, and even below that figure. Universal EV Rendering shows Ford's flexible EV platform which will first be used for a midsize electric pickup. — Source: Ford Ford says it's on track to get there thanks to the secret 'skunkworks' program it set up in Long Beach, California three years ago. A small product development team came up with what they're calling the 'Universal EV.' Echoing what happened when founder Henry Ford switched on his first moving assembly line in 1913, Ford is setting up a completely new manufacturing process at a plant in Louisville, Kentucky. The ultimate goal is to produce an extended family of low-price battery-electric vehicles. In 2027 that will begin with a 4-door pickup with a 'targeted price,' said Ford, of $30,000. Details have yet to be released but Kumar Galhotra, Ford's Chief Operating Officer, made it clear the truck won't be just an econobox. 'We do not believe that you need to strip out features, functionality, screens or even seats to make a vehicle affordable. We will achieve affordability by radically simplifying parts and process.' Slate Has Its Own Plan Slate Auto Skater — Source: Slate Auto Ford is by no means the only automaker feverishly working to shave EV prices. General Motors is readying an all-new version of the Chevrolet Bolt, its first long-range all-electric model set to debut this year. Kia has the EV4 coming, Nissan is finishing work on the next-generation Leaf and Tesla keeps promising its own entry model Then there's Slate Auto, based in the Detroit suburb of Troy. 'We are building the affordable vehicle that has long been promised but never delivered,' CEO Chris Barman said in April as she pulled the cover off an all-electric 2-door pickup. Slate Truck and SUV — Source: Slate Auto As with its more established rival, the Slate team poured over every aspect of automotive design, engineering and manufacturing. The truck's body will be made of unpainted gray polypropylene, rather than the normal steel or aluminum, for one thing. Unlike Ford's electric truck, meanwhile, the Slate model will be the ultimate example of stripping things down to their bare essentials. There'll be no radio, for example, and you'll have to supply the smartphone or tablet if you want an infotainment system. Even the windows will be hand-cranked. Who Has the Edge? 'I like simplifying things and making a lot of things optional for customers,' said analyst Abuelsamid, 'But they've gone too far.' He believes Slate yet may find some buyers looking for hyper-customization – with scores of aftermarket options available, including a cut to convert the pickup into a 2-door SUV. But Abuelsamid and other analysts Autoblog spoke to think most potential buyers will opt for the better-equipped, and only slightly more expensive Ford truck. Just the fact that it has two more doors should be a big plus at a time when 2-door products have all but vanished from the U.S. market. 'That does make Slate a much more difficult proposition,' added Stephanie Brinley, lead auto analyst with S&P Global Mobility. There Could be Surprises While Ford may seem better positioned, industry-watchers aren't ready to count Slate out. For one thing, it is expected to make it to market as much as a year ahead of Ford. And the start-up does have the backing of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other mega-investors who've so far filled the company's coffers to the tune of around $700 million, according to federal financial documentation. Ford Universal EV production line. But one also has to take the promises made by both companies with a healthy dose of skepticism, cautioned Brinley. 'How many times have we seen automakers set a price target but then end up coming in at $2,000, $3,000, even $5,000 more.' And it remains to be seen, she added, whether either company will meet its planned production date. That's a common problem across the auto industry and Tesla has shown that this is particularly problematic for start-ups. Ford, for its part, is confident it can deliver, and then gain a real leg up on its competitors in the bid to drive down EV prices. The number two U.S. manufacturer is particularly hopeful the Universal EV project will allow it to challenge the domestic Chinese automakers gaining so much traction around the world. Slate isn't ready to concede defeat. Far from it, the start-up automaker claiming to have so far recorded over 100,000 advance reservations for its truck. But there seems little doubt Ford has now changed the rules of the game in the emerging market for truly affordable EVs. About the Author Paul Eisenstein View Profile
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland star would be a massive boost to our new GT racing team, admits team owner
Dick Bennetts has confirmed the British squad is set to diversify into the code next year, with a number of programmes, machinery, and drivers all currently under consideration. It will run alongside WSR's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship programme, which has resulted in 18 overall titles since 2009, with four of these being landed by Turkington — the joint most decorated person in the series alongside Ashley Sutton and Andy Rouse. The Portadown man has made almost 570 BTCC race appearances and started 30 of these from pole, chalked up 80 fastest laps, 72 victories and 190 podium finishes. Commercial difficulties forced Turkington to vacate his seat at WSR for the current BTCC campaign, although he hasn't cut his ties entirely, playing a supporting role from the WSR garage, helping with pre-season testing and even deputising for defending champion Jake Hill during Free Practice One at Croft Circuit earlier this month when the Englishman fell ill. To keep himself sharp, 43-year-old Turkington has made appearances at a Britcar and Classic Sports Car Club meet in a BMW E36, as well as the Ginetta Cup in a Ginetta GT4. His most recent track outing came at the Super Touring Power meeting at Brands Hatch, and he was close to winning his sole race at the controls of a 2000-specification, front-wheel-drive Vauxhall Vectra only for late suspension troubles to deny him overall glory. Turkington has already spoken of his desire to focus on GT racing moving forward — and the WSR news has sent the rumour mill into overdrive, with some suggesting Turkington would be a nailed-on choice to help lead the line at British, European or even World level. Asked for his views on the possibility of putting Turkington behind the wheel of one of his cars, Bennetts said: 'It is too early to be talking about drivers for GTs in 2026 at the moment but, naturally, Colin is a champion. 'He has achieved fantastic success and would be an asset to any programme we were involved with going forwards. 'This is the start of a new era for WSR and may surprise a few people – but it is something we have been evaluating ever since we were asked to put together a GT programme a few years ago, but decided it was not quite the right time,' the New Zealander continued. 'GT racing is now at an all-time high, making this the perfect moment to move into the space alongside our BTCC programme. 'By declaring our intentions now, we give ourselves the best chance to be fully up-to-speed by the start of the 2026 season.'
