Almost a million UK drivers are at risk of being hit with a £1,000 fine for not doing a simple thing

DVLA figures show 926,000 drivers failed to renew their photocard license on time last year. It is believed that the majority would have continued to drive and therefore break the law

Nearly one million people failed to renew their permits on time last year (

Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Almost a million people in the UK could be fined £1,000 for not renewing their photo driving licence.

As of 3 September last year, 926,000 people licensed to drive in Britain had photo cards which had become obsolete in the 12 months to the end of August, according to figures from the DVLA.

Only a small percentage of them are likely to have stopped driving as a result, meaning the rest could be fined.

About 2.5 million drivers renewed their photocard after it expired or within 56 days of the expiration date in the past year, according to data provided to PA Media.

If you have passed your driving test, you are eligible to drive until age 70, after which you must renew your license every three years to continue driving.

You could be fined £1000 if you drive with an expired photo card (

Picture:

Getty Images/iStockphoto)

However, photo cards must be renewed every 10 years to ensure that the photo looks like you.

For the license expiration date, see section 4b of the map.

Failing to return an expired license to the DVLA is an offense under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can be punished by a fine of up to £1000.

Those whose licenses are about to expire will receive a letter from the DVLA reminding them to renew 56 days before their license expires, but some drivers miss these letters if they have changed their address.

A late renewal does not result in a fine.

If a license expires while the DVLA is processing a renewal application, you can continue driving as long as you meet criteria such as meeting the rules of your previous licence.

After issuing a photo card, a person who drives without renewing their license can be prosecuted for driving contrary to a licence.

Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation...