Car experts have issued a fresh warning to motorists in the United Kingdom that could see anyone impacted issued with a £1,000 fine if ignored.

Applying to those who passed their driving tests before 2015, it is one that affects millions of drivers without them even realising. And given how much you have to deal with in modern life, it’s easy to forget about some of the more granular things that only need your attention once in blue moon.

Enter your driving licence, which could very quickly land Brits in hot water if they passed their test before 2015.

And it all comes down to a few numbers on the driving licence itself, those being the expiry date.

Under UK law, your driving licence must be renewed a decade after it is issued by the DVLA. So, if you passed your test in 2014, the majority of you should have already renewed this year. And for those who passed in 2015, the decade long deadline is fast approaching.

Why you have to renew your driving licence every decade

“Ensuring that your driving licence is up to date is not just about following the law; it’s also about being a responsible and safe driver,” experts at BigWantsYourCar.com said.

“The law requires these renewals for a reason, as it helps maintain accurate identification and compliance with road regulations.

“Failing to return an expired licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can be punished with a fine of up to £1,000.”

Making sure your driving licence is not out of date will also mean it remains a legal form of identification. If it is outdated, it loses this aspect and could see you in a tricky spot should you need to provide ID for any particular reason.

How to renew your driving licence after 10 years

It’s really easy to sort this mess out if you’ve found that yours has expired or is about to.

And, thankfully, it only costs £14 to get the job done. You should also be notified when it is time to do this.

To renew your licence online you need a driver and vehicles account. Alternatively, you can provide a UK passport or the document you used to set up your online immigration status if that applies to you.

“If you do not have either of these, you’ll need to apply at a Post Office or by post,” the DVLA says.

“DVLA will use your email address to check if you have a driver and vehicles account. Your new licence will be valid from the date your application is approved, not from the expiry date of your current licence.”

How a UK driving licence looks, with the expiry date found in section 4b (Getty Stock Images)

To renew, you’ll need to be a resident of Great Britain and not be disqualified from driving. The new licence should arrive within a week of an online application.

BigWantsYourCar.com experts added: “Renewing your driving licence has never been easier. With the convenience of online applications, it’s a quick and straightforward process. By using the official DVLA website, you not only save time but also ensure that your information is up to date.”

If you got your driver’s licence before 2015, the DVLA has a message for you and if you don’t listen, it could be costly.

The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency, aka the DVLA, have issued a warning to all drivers to check their licences if they passed before that year, because of a very important reason.

With so many new changes to the rules around driving, it can be a pain to know what exactly is going on.

But this isn’t your average warning from the agency, and it could have dire effects if you were to hop on the road without checking the date on your card.

You wouldn’t want to get pulled over for something minor to then be asked for your details and be shocked when you’re given a fine, would you?

That’s because it’s to do with your expiry date.

Now, you might know this already, but every driving licence has a 10-year expiry date, which means that if you got your licence before 2015, it’s about to run out, or it already has.

According to MoneySavingExpert.com, there are two million people who have an expired driving licence right now and are due a massive fine for it.

According to the DVLA, your ID needs to be renewed every decade and with an up-to-date picture so that it’s an accurate representation of how you look like as time drags on.

You can’t be running about with an ID of you looked when you were 16 if you’re 60.

If you choose not to do this and you don’t return your expired licence to the DVLA, you could be punished under the Road Traffic Act 1988, which could see you receiving a fine of up to £1,000.

Now, if you don’t know where to look, the expiry date on your licence is displayed in section 4b right on the front of your card.

It’s also a lot cheaper to just renew your licence online for £14 and it’ll be quicker to receive it too as it only takes around five days to process it.

If you don’t have access to a laptop or Wi-Fi, then you can pop down to your local Post Office to complete it for £21.50 or choose to print out the form and complete a Postal renewal for £17.

Richard Evans, at WeBuyAnyCar said to JOE: “To drive anywhere legally, you must hold a valid driving licence which has the most up to date and correct details of your name, date of birth and full address.

“If you know your licence is about to expire, or your personal details have changed, it’s crucial you update your licence.

“If drivers don’t have a valid licence, the DVLA warn you could be fined £1,000 and even risk having your vehicle seized. This will be a much heavier price to pay than the cost of updating your licence which starts from £14.”

Philip Gomm of the RAC Foundation chipped in that’s it’s also handy to renew even if you don’t drive.

He said: “There are good reasons to keep licences up to date, beyond the basic legal requirement.

“They are also a widely accepted form of ID and will certainly be required if you are ever stopped by police.”