A driving expert has warned that a million Brits could be at risk of incurring a fine for ignoring a simple rule regarding their licences.
Learning to drive seems like the biggest obstacle when it comes to motoring, with the end result of spending countless hours perfecting how to turn right and memorising the Highway Code being a sparkly set of your own car keys and the promise of infinite freedom.
Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but passing your test is only the beginning of a lifetime of unexpected costs and MOT trips.
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Your car isn't the only thing which could pull in unexpected costs either, as the motoring world is filled with numerous pitfalls which could see you slapped with fines and/or points - one of these being your an out of date driving licence.
Be honest, when was the last time you looked at your driving licence? Was it while applying for car insurance, being ID'd in a bar or moments before shoving it into your wallet after passing your test?
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If this is the case then you may want to dig out the piece of plastic and pay attention, as one driving expert has revealed how failure to keep your licence up to date could find you on the wrong side of a £1,000 fine and potential disqualification.
According to BigWantsYourCar.com, there are around 3% of UK drivers continue to drive with expired licences - which can have severe legal consequences for those who are caught out.
"This isn’t a trivial matter. A valid driving licence is a legal requirement, and driving without one leaves motorists exposed to fines and even invalidates their insurance," a spokesperson from BigWantsYourCar.com explained.
What are the risks of not renewing your driving licence?
According to BigWantsYourCar.com the main penalty for an out of date licence is a £1,000. However, drivers can also receive between three to six points on their licence or even a discretionary driving disqualification.
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Which is certainly one way to ruin your day.
"Driving with an invalid licence can lead to severe consequences, especially if an incident occurs and the driver is found uninsured," the spokesperson explained.
The spokesperson added that renewing your licence isn't only an administrative procedure but a crucial way for insurers to have up-to-date coverage about what is happening on the roads.
"Drivers should view this as part of responsible vehicle ownership—both for their safety and for peace of mind on the road," they added.
What is considered an out of date driving licence?
Worried about the status of your driving licence? There are two ways to check if it's out of date.
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The way is to check the straightforward expiry date, listed under '4b'. You need to renew your driving licence every 10 years unless you are over 70 years of age, in which case it becomes every three years.
Brenna Cooper