Elderly motorists have been warned they could be slapped with a £1,000 fine and face prosecution for failing to meet crucial UK driving licence rules.
The DVLA has issued an important reminder to older motorists that they must renew their driving licence every three years once they reach 70.
Experts have warned that failure to comply with the rules could result in a fine, as driving without a valid licence is illegal in the UK.
Despite photocard driving licences being valid for 10 years for most motorists, once a driver turns 70, the rules change, with drivers urged to follow the guidance.
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Under Section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is an offence to drive with an invalid licence
PA/GETTY
Sharing on X this week, the DVLA posted: "Know someone who has just turned 70? Let them know they can renew their driving licence online. It’s easy, quick and secure on GOV.UK."
On top of renewing their licence every three years, elderly drivers must also meet the medical standards to ensure they remain safe drivers on UK roads.
Commenting on the rules for elderly drivers, car repair finance experts at Bumper explained that the process to renew a licence every three years is a "legal requirement". The expert explained that byrenewing a licence, "it confirms you’re still medically fit to drive and ensures your records stay accurate".
The need for elderly drivers to keep up to date with the DVLA rules follows a report by the agency published last year, which found that between 2004 and 2023, the number of people killed or seriously injured from a collision involving at least one older driver increased by 12 per cent from 3,082 to 3,451.
Older motorists must ensure they meet the minimum standards to drive
PAThe data also found that older drivers accounted for around 10 per cent of all casualties in collisions involving cars in 2023, with this proportion increasing with casualty severity, as elderly drivers were more likely to be killed in collisions than any other age group.
According to Bumper, failing to renew an expired licence or driving without one is an offence under Section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The law dictates: "It is an offence for a person to drive on a road a motor vehicle of any class [otherwise than in accordance with] a licence authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of that class.
"It is an offence for a person to cause or permit another person to drive on a road a motor vehicle of any class [otherwise than in accordance with a licence authorising that other person] to drive a motor vehicle of that class."
If caught on UK roads without a valid licence, motorists could face a fine of up to £1,000 and risk "losing their entitlement to drive,"Bumper warned.
Under special circumstances, the DVLA can permit drivers to continue driving while their renewal is being processed, but only under certain conditions.
This includes the renewal being less than a year old, their previous licence being still valid, and that they meet the necessary medical standards and conditions on their previous licence.
Bumper added: "Many drivers are unaware that their licence may expire automatically at 70 unless action is taken. It’s important to check the expiry date and plan ahead to avoid any disruption to your ability to drive."
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Elderly drivers have to renew their licence every three years once they reach 70 years of ageGETTYDrivers can renew their licence online through the DVLA website, with applications costing £14 and typically processed within five working days. Drivers can also submit postal applications, which cost £17, while renewals can also be made at the Post Office for £21.50.
A DVLA spokesperson shared: "We encourage customers to use GOV.UK as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence.
"If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather than keeping it as a form of out-of-date photo ID."
