DVLA urgent warning to all drivers who passed their test before 2014

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has sounded an urgent alarm for motorists, especially older ones, to double-check their driving licences. Via its account on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, the DVLA highlighted the importance of renewing driving licences.

Every 10 years is the renewal period for most drivers, but the rule tightens for those 70 or above who must update their licence every three years. Those unaware might face fines, as driving without a valid licence is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The penalty for this infringement can be stiff; it carries three to six penalty points along with a £1,000 fine. To help drivers stay within the law, the DVLA clarified: “It costs £14 when you apply online. You must renew a photocard licence every 10 years – you’ll receive a reminder before your current licence ends.”

Additionally, anyone applying for their first provisional licence or those who got their last licence before March 1, 1973, will need to follow specific instructions.

The agency provides details: “You’ll need to apply for your first provisional licence if you’ve never applied for a provisional licence before or you applied for a provisional licence before 1 March 1973. To renew your licence online you need either a driver and vehicles account or a UK passport or the document you used to set up your online immigration status.”, reports Birmingham Live.

“If you do not have either of these, you’ll need to apply at a Post Office or by post. If your name or title has changed you cannot apply online. You can only renew your licence by post.”

The DVLA explained: “DVLA will use your email address to check if you have a driver and vehicles account.”

“Your new licence will be valid from the date your application is approved, not from the expiry date of your current licence.”

In order to renew your licence, you must live in Great Britain (as Northern Ireland has a separate service) and not be banned from driving.

For the process, you’ll require your UK passport (which can be current or expired within the last year) or the document you used for your online immigration status setup, your actual driving licence (if in possession), your National Insurance number (should you know it), and a list of addresses where you’ve resided for the past three years.