FINE TIME
Martin Lewis warns millions of drivers risk £1,000 DVLA fine due to often-forgotten licence rule – it’s quick to check
Some 3.6 million motorists risk being slapped with a hefty fine
MARTIN Lewis has warned millions of motorists risk a £1,000 DVLA fine due to an easily forgotten licence rule.
Brit drivers are already looking to find ways to cut costs on their vehicles amid the cost of living crisis.
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But forgetting to renew their driving licence could land them with a £1,000 fine.
The MoneySavingExpert has now urged millions of UK drivers to make sure their licences are still valid after data by the DVLA found more than 3.6 million people have an expired driving licence.
Disgruntled road users will have to cough up an "annoying" £14 fee to renew it but that is certainly better than paying the huge sum.
Martin advised: "It's easy to forget, but a quick check now could save you a fine of up to £1,000 if your photocard has expired.
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"It's an annoying £14 to renew (£17 if you renew by post), but that's a far better option than the fine.
";There are a few dates printed on the photocard, but the one you need is the photo expiry date printed on section 4b on the front of the card."
The DVLA stats revealed that millions of drivers between the ages of 17 and 76 currently hold an expired photocard.
The most common age group found driving without a valid licence falls between 37 and 46 years old.
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This demographic accounts for 1.1 million offenders, while 970,000 drivers aged 47 to 56 have been found flouting the rules.
Andrew Jervis, CEO of ClickMechanic, responded to Martin's guidance.
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Speaking to , he 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."
Martin recently revealed how drivers can get the cheapest car insurance possible while enjoying handy added extras.
Many Brit motorists have already been struggling as car insurance premiums hit a near-unprecedented average of over £1,000 a year.
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The personal finance guru claimed that many motorists could be missing out on better coverage for a lower price than their current deal.
Martin explained that some Brits could be overpaying based on a common misconception about which type of coverage is the most affordable.