RAC has warned drivers over 70 to check their driving licence photocard or face a fine of up to £1,000. The check takes about three minutes and can stop a penalty for an expired or incorrect licence.
Drivers need a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, and the photocard must be replaced every 10 years. RAC said the expiry date is in section 4b on the front of the card, on the side with the driver’s photo.
RAC licence warning
RAC said drivers whose licence has expired or whose details are wrong risk a fine of up to £1,000. Its warning also says motorists should renew their licence if they change their name or move to a new address. That gives older drivers a simple check: look at section 4b, then act before the licence runs out.
For drivers over 70, renewal is free. The RAC warning said: “If you are over the age of 70, then it is free to renew your driving licence.” It also noted that the licence was introduced in 1998 and must be replaced every 10 years. Ed Sheeran fined £666 over 1966 Aston Martin insurance lapse is another recent case where a paperwork lapse carried a penalty.
Renewing through DVLA
Online renewal costs £14 for most people and must be paid using a MasterCard, Visa, Electron, or Delta credit or debit card. RAC said online renewals should arrive within seven days. Applying by post costs £17, and renewing at a Post Office in person costs £21.50.
RAC also said drivers can legally keep driving while waiting for the new physical licence. The complication is plain: that short wait does not erase the risk if the old licence has already expired or the details on it are wrong, and drivers behind the wheel without a valid licence face three to six penalty points.
Post Office in UK
RAC said drivers renewing by post or at a Post Office can expect to wait up to three weeks for the new licence. The warning is aimed at a quick task with a bigger consequence than most drivers may expect, because the licence check itself takes minutes and costs nothing. Mural honoring Stacey King unveiled in Chicago and other recent stories have drawn attention elsewhere, but this one asks older drivers to handle a form check now rather than after a penalty lands.
For anyone over 70, the practical step is straightforward: check section 4b, make sure the details are correct, and renew if needed. A valid licence keeps the issue from becoming a fine, penalty points, or a delay that can be avoided with one brief check.
