25th February 2009

More than 44,000 motorists face fines of up to £1,000 for failing to replace their photocard driving licences after the statutory 10 years.

The DVLA says the rules are in place as drivers’ pictures get out of date. Every 10 years, they have to submit a new photo and pay a £17.50 fee. As the plastic cards were introduced in 1998, thousands have now expired.

A DVLA spokesman told us these motorists may still drive, but could be fined for failing to surrender their licence. The Association of British Insurers said those with out-of-date cards may struggle to make a claim, though, while the AA’s Edmund King wants the DVLA to make it clearer that pictures need to be renewed. Old paper licences only expire when a driver turns 70.