Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert advises drivers to check licence now
Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert (MSE) team has issued a reminder that millions of motorists could be at risk of a £1,000 fine. In an update dated January 27, 2026, MSE explained: “Almost 2.3 million driving licenses were due to expire last year, with drivers risking fines of up to £1,000 if they got behind the wheel with an outdated licence.”
The expert is now urging drivers to take action today by checking whether their license is still valid and renewing it if not. Some drivers can even update their information for free.
Renewing late will not result in a penalty, but if your license has expired the DVLA says you should not drive until you receive your completed renewal application. Urging people to take action without wasting time by looking at the expiry date, the document warns: “Photo card licenses replaced paper licenses in 1998 and must be renewed every 10 years.
“According to data obtained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Partnership “Almost 2.3 million licenses were set to expire last year,” Insurance said.
How can you renew your license?
When you apply online, you will receive your driver’s license within a week. But there are other ways to apply:
In person at selected post offices. Post office It costs an extra £4.50 to take your photo, on top of the £17 fee, but the total of £21.50 includes mailing your application.
To renew your license DVLA Say you need to:
- Be a resident of Great Britain (there is a different service in Northern Ireland)
- not be banned from driving
You need to apply for your first provisional license if:
- you have never applied for a provisional license before
- You applied for a provisional license before March 1, 1973
How much does the renovation cost?
Renewing your driving license online will cost you £14, or £17 if you send it by post. You should receive a reminder and renewal form a few weeks before it ends. But try to be smart and check the expiration date yourself! Your license shows several dates, but the important one is in section 4b on the front of the card.
Update for free
While your photo driver’s license must be renewed every 10 years, a standard driver’s license is generally valid until you turn 70. After that you must renew it every three years. Updating your name or address is completely free, as is renewing if you’re over 70 or have a short-term medical license. There’s no limit to how many times you can make these updates, so there’s no excuse for letting your information go out of date.
You may face more fines
It’s not just expired licenses that get you into trouble; Having the wrong name, address or gender on your license could also cost you up to £1,000. Good news? You can update these details as many times as you want, free of charge.
MSE emphasizes: “Research published by insurance company Direct Line in 2013 found that 3% of married women had an outdated name on their driving licence, which, oddly enough, could also lead to a fine of up to £1,000. So check now if you think you may be affected.”
