Millions of UK drivers are being urged to take action this year according to new data released. Co-op Insurance has uncovered information from the DVLA showing that more than half a million drivers in Britain may be currently driving without a valid licence.
Research conducted by the member-owned company revealed that close to 300,000 driving licence photocards that expired between July and December 2025 have not been renewed yet. Additionally, over 210,000 driving entitlements that expired during the same period are still pending renewal.
Furthermore, there are nearly 2.7 million driving licence photocards set to expire in 2026, along with over two million licence holders whose entitlement to drive is also expiring this year. Co-op emphasized that these findings highlight how drivers can overlook licence renewal, putting themselves at legal and financial risk by failing to keep their documentation up to date.
Under the law, both full and provisional driving licence holders must renew their photocard every 10 years, with those who received their licence in 2016 now due for renewal. Individuals aged 70 and above must renew every three years, and the cost of renewal online is £14.
The expiration date can be found in section 4b of a photocard licence, while column 11 on the back of a driving licence indicates the expiry date for a specific class of vehicle, usually aligning with the driver’s 70th birthday.
Driving with an expired licence or photocard is illegal, with offenders facing fines up to £1,000 and receiving three to six penalty points on their licence if caught. Additionally, driving with an invalid licence may lead to vehicle seizure, prosecution, and invalidation of insurance, making the driver liable for any damages or injuries in case of an accident.
Co-op highlighted that driving with an invalid licence could result in significant financial impact, potentially reaching tens of thousands in car insurance claims. Paul Evans, head of motor at Co-op Insurance, emphasized the importance of checking driving licences to avoid penalties associated with driving with an invalid licence.
Last year, the DVLA issued over 930,000 replacement driving licence photocards for various reasons such as theft, damage, loss, or destruction, with the cost of replacing a full or provisional photocard being £20 and available online, by phone, or by post.