There was a lot of publicity last year to remind people to check their photo card licence, but that was last year… We are still finding out-of-date photocards in every batch of licences we check. So here’s another reminder: Put the renewal date in your diary!
The photo card part of your driving licence is only valid for 10 years, even though your paper licence may be valid for much longer. Many drivers fail to spot that their photo card licence automatically expires after ten years and has to be renewed and believe, wrongly, that their new-style licence was for life.
At the heart of the confusion is the small print on the credit card size photo licence. Just below the driver’s name is a numbered series of dates and details. The crucial dates (mine are numbered 4a and 4b) should be 10 years apart and the latter is the expiry date.
A spokesman for the DVLA said: ‘It is important that photocards are updated every ten years to ensure the police and other enforcement agencies can identify whether a driving licence is being used fraudulently.’ The maximum fine for using an out-of-date photocard licence is £1000.
The DVLA will send you a reminder when your photocard is due to expire, so do take notice of this letter and send off a new photo to get your new card issued. (The Association of British Insurers and the Department for Transport said that insurance cover was not affected if drivers failed to update their photocard.)
If you have a lot of drivers licences to check why not let UK Fleet Manager take over this responsibility for you, and you can get on with running your business. We have a fast-track checking facility direct to the DVLA, and will organise renewals for your drivers if necessary.
Mark James
