£1,000 fine warning to drivers over 70, here's how to avoid it

The UK is dealing with a cold snap at the moment, leading to people turning on their heating and dealing with snow-covered cars and roads. While all drivers have been warned to drive carefully in these conditions, motorists of a certain age are also being warned about the risk of a £1,000 fine from the DVLA.

Drivers who are turning 70 in 2024 will need to renew their licence frequently or they risk facing a hefty fine. Here’s how often they are expected to renew and how the process works.

Drivers turning 70 to renew their licence

Once you get your driving licence in the UK, you typically have to renew it every 10 years. However, once you reach 70 your licence expires. If you want to continue driving past this age, as many Brits do, you have to renew your licence every three years to stay on the roads. There is some good news though - you don’t have to resit your driving test. You simply need to apply, and declare any health conditions or disabilities you may have.

The DVLA has posted a reminder about this system on their social media, urging those who are turning 70 this year to go through the ‘easy, quick and secure’ process. You can renew your licence for free if you are aged 70 or over, or if you will be turning 70 within the next 90 days.

How to renew your licence

You can renew your licence on GOV.UK’s website ‘ if you’re 70 or over, or will be 70 in the next 90 days’, and:

• ‘your British licence has expired – or it’s going to expire within 90 days
• you’re a resident of Great Britain (there’s a different service in Northern Ireland)
• you meet the minimum eyesight requirement
• you aren’t prevented from driving for any reason’

The minimum eyesight requirement involves the following: you must be able to read, with glasses or contact lenses if you use them, a car number plate dating from before September 1, 2001 from 20 metres away. For the rest of the health declaration, you can check the DVLA’s A-Z of medical conditions. This lists conditions that need to be reported, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. If you fail to report a condition that may affect your driving, you can be fined up to £1,000.

When you register to renew, you’ll need:

• ‘an email address
• addresses of where you’ve lived for the last 3 years
• your National Insurance number (if you know it)
• a valid UK passport number (if you want to change the licence photo)’

The process is simple, and worth doing to avoid having to pay any fines!

Read more:

⋙ Warning for drivers who risk £2,500 fine, here's how to avoid it

⋙ Can you stay home when it's too cold in the office? Here's what you should know

⋙ Cold weather: This is how your body is affected by low temperatures

Sources used:

ChronicleLive: DVLA £1,000 fine warning to drivers aged 70 or over who must take action

GOV.UK: Renew your driving licence if you're 70 or over