MARTIN LEWIS URGES DRIVERS TO CHECK LICENCE EXPIRY DATES

Martin Lewis has urged motorists to check Section 4B on their driving licence to avoid potential fines of up to £1,000. The Money Saving Expert made the appeal on social media, warning that photo driving licences are valid for only 10 years, not the several decades the licence document itself remains valid. According to the reports, 2.7 million photo licences are set to expire this year. Lewis explained that drivers stopped by police whilst operating a vehicle with an expired licence could face a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to comply with police instructions.

Renewing an expired licence online costs £14 and can be completed through the gov.uk website for those in England, Scotland and Wales, or through the NI direct website for Northern Ireland residents. Lewis acknowledged that drivers should receive reminder notices when their licence is due to expire, but noted that many people ignore, miss or fail to act on these notifications. Section 4B, located on the front of the licence to the right of the photograph, displays the expiry date.

Lewis also clarified that rules differ for drivers aged 70 and over, who must renew their licence every three years rather than every 10 years. He stated that the three-yearly renewal for older drivers involves a medical declaration and eyesight confirmation rather than a photograph update. Lewis encouraged all motorists to check their Section 4B expiry date as a precautionary measure.