Martin Lewis has urged millions of drivers across the UK to take a quick look at their driving licence or risk being fined up to £1,000. Most of us probably don't spend much time looking at our licence once it's put away in a wallet or drawer.
But there is one date on the front that is important to keep an eye on, and millions of people will need to act on it this year. MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis has now told drivers to take out their licence and check whether they are one of them.
Writing in his latest newsletter, he said: “Get your driving licence out, and check section 4b.”
The date next to section 4b on a photocard driving licence tells you when the card expires.
And according to Martin, 2.7 million photocards are due to reach that date this year.
He explained: “While your driving licence itself is valid for many decades, the photo licence that you get is only valid for 10 years. And 2.7 million of them are expiring this year.”
That means drivers who have not checked their licence for some time may suddenly discover they need to renew it.
Failing to do so could eventually become an expensive mistake. Martin said: “Ultimately, if you’re driving with an expired licence and you get stopped by the police, if you continue not to do what they tell you, you could be fined by up to £1,000.”
Fortunately, renewing a photocard does not have to cost much.
Drivers with a UK passport can renew online through the Government website for £14, with the new photocard usually arriving within a week.
People can also apply by post using a D1 form, available from the Post Office. This costs £17, and applications usually take around three weeks.
Another option is to use a participating Post Office, where your photograph and signature can be taken and the application sent electronically. This costs £21.50, with the new licence normally arriving within three weeks.
Martin said: “You do get reminders and you should be told when your licence is due to expire, but lots of people ignore them or miss them or just don’t do it.
“I hope this is a waste of time, and yours is in date without any problems, but just in case it isn’t, have a look at the 4b on your licence.”