Calling all drivers who passed their driving test before 2014 – this one’s for you!

Recent figures show that nearly one million drivers in the UK possess an out-of-date licence. The DVLA has issued a warning to anyone nearing their 10-year licence renewal date to remind them to renew as soon as possible. If caught driving with an expired licence, drivers are at risk of a hefty £1,000 fine, or worse, having their vehicle seized.

Don’t get caught out by the DVLA driving licence check – renew your licence as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary fines!

“Appearances can change, and it’s important that photocard licences are updated every 10 years to ensure the police and other enforcement agencies have the best possible photograph to help them correctly identify when a licence is being used fraudulently.” – DVLA spokesperson

Why do you need to renew your driving licence every 10 years?

It’s important to renew your driving licence every decade for several reasons:

• You will have the latest driving licence security features to protect you from fraud
• It will help prevent driving licence impersonation
• It will stop disqualified and dangerous drivers taking to the road

The consequences of not getting this renewed can be frustrating for drivers:

• You can be fined up to £1,000
• You won’t be able to get car insurance, which is legally required to drive on UK roads
• Car hire firms will refuse to provide you with a vehicle

Your licence expiry date can be found on section 4b of your photocard licence.

How to renew your driving licence, and how much will it cost

There are three ways you can renew your licence:

• Online - If you’ve got a valid UK passport, you can renew your licence online via gov.uk [1]. This is the cheapest way to renew, only costing you £14
• Post - You can get a form known as the ‘D1 pack’ from the post office or order one from the DVLA. You will need to send a recent passport photo, your current licence, and a cheque for £17 with the application to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1DH
• Post Office - Once you receive a reminder letter from the DVLA in the post, you can take it to the post office to renew your licence. You’ll need to take your current licence with you, and it will cost £21.50

When should you renew your driving licence?

Renewing your licence late won’t prompt a fine, however it is advised not to drive until you have your replacement driving licence in-hand. If you’re caught driving without this, you may be issued a fine.

Although you can renew your driving licence up to two months before it expires, the DVLA will send you a reminder in the post a month before. The DVLA suggests the best time to renew your licence is as soon as you receive this reminder

When filling out your driving licence application:

• Ensure that your address is updated – if you’re stopped by the police and the address is incorrect, you could be fined up to £1,000
• Make sure you’re using a recent photograph – it must be taken in the last month
• If your title has changed, make sure this is reflected on your new driving licence

How long will it take to get your new driving licence?

The time to get your new driving licence depends on how you renewed:

Online - within five working days.

Post / Post Office – the entire process could take up to four weeks.

Your new licence will be valid for 10 years from the date your renewal is approved, not from the date of your current licence.

Can you drive while waiting for your replacement driving licence?

If your licence expires while your application for renewal is still processing, you can continue to drive vehicles you were entitled to on your previous licence. You must also meet all the following criteria:

• You meet medical standards of fitness to drive
• Your last licence was not revoked or refused for medical reasons
• You are not currently disqualified by a court

That’s a lot to remember! Here’s what Caura can help with

Keep your digital driving licence with you at all times in Caura! When you add your licence details to the app, Caura syncs up with the DVLA so you always have all the information you need, right at your fingertips.

• Check how many points or endorsements you have
• Changing wheels? Find out what you are (and aren’t) eligible to drive
• Access better insurance prices, fast
• Keep a digital copy of your licence, held securely, and encrypted

It only takes a couple of seconds to add your licence to Caura. Tap on ‘Accounts’ in-app and follow the instructions on the screen.