More than three million drivers are at risk of facing a £1,000 fine for driving after their licence has expired, as experts urge motorists to take action.
Under UK law, it is illegal to get behind the wheel without a valid photocard licence, which carries the driver’s personal details and must be renewed every ten years.
Research from the DVLA showed how a total of 3.6 million licence holders between the ages of 17 and 76 currently hold an expired photocard.
Drivers can replace a licence for as little as £14, but if they are caught driving with an invalid licence, the penalty could be much more severe.
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To legally drive in the UK, motorists are required to pass a theory test and a practical test
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Andrew Jervis, CEO of ClickMechanic, said: “Holding a valid and in-date licence is a legal requirement to drive in the UK and helps protect the safety of all road users.
“Many drivers won’t be aware that their documentation has expired and it can be easy to miss an upcoming renewal date.
“However, the fact that there are millions of motorists in the country who do not hold a valid licence shows the scale of the problem is much higher than it should be.
“These figures act as an important reminder to ensure we keep our documentation up-to-date to avoid falling foul of the law and facing a £1,000 fine.”
According to ClickMechanic, the most common age group to drive without a valid licence is between 37 and 46, with 1.1 million offenders, followed by drivers aged 47 to 56 with 969,643 travelling with invalid licences.
By region, Greater London has the largest proportion of offenders with 891,122, followed by South East England with 489,305 drivers without a valid licence and North West England with 371,882.
Jervis added that it's quick and easy to renew photocards online, so there is no excuse for anyone to be taking to the road with an expired licence.
He remarked: “We all have our part to play in making sure our roads are safe for the benefit of all travellers.”
The DVLA sends out reminders 56 days before a driving licence is due to expire, and it is the responsibility of the driver to renew their licence on time.
To renew a licence online, drivers need either a UK passport or the document used to set up an online immigration status. Alternatively, drivers can renew via the Post Office or by post.
To legally drive in the UK, motorists are required to pass a theory test and a practical test, as well as needing to make sure their vehicle is insured, taxed and has a valid MOT certificate.
After passing the practical test, drivers receive a photocard licence and a paper counterpart, licences need to be renewed every 10 years.
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To renew a licence online driver need either a UK passport or the document used to set up an online immigration status
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The licence shows a photograph of the driver, as well as personal information such as their name, address and date of birth.
Elderly drivers over the age of 70 are required to renew their licence with the DVLA every three years, although this can be done for free.