More than 900,000 drivers risk a £1,000 fine after failing to renew photocard licences which expired in the past year, an investigation has found.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures obtained by the PA news agency following a Freedom of Information request, show 926,000 people entitled to drive in Britain held cards on September 3 which became out of date in the 12 months to the end of August.
That represents 2% of all drivers.
A small proportion of the 926,000 are likely to have stopped driving without notifying the DVLA.
Some 2.5 million drivers renewed their photocard after it had expired or within 56 days of the expiry date in the past year.
Driving entitlement normally remains until someone reaches 70, after which they must renew their licence every three years to stay on the road.
But Photocards must be renewed every 10 years to ensure the image is a true likeness of the driver.
Expiry dates are displayed in section 4b on the front of cards.
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.
The DVLA says it writes to people 56 days before their licence ends to remind them to renew, but many drivers miss the letters as they do not update the agency when their address changes.
Renewing late does not lead to a fine being issued.
If a licence expires while the DVLA is processing a renewal application, the person can continue to drive as long as they meet criteria such as following the rules of their previous licence.
After a photocard is surrendered, someone who drives without renewing their licence could be prosecuted for driving otherwise in accordance with a licence.
The DVLA advises people to renew on its official website as it is the quickest and cheapest method.
Applications cost £14 and are usually processed within five days.
Third party websites charge additional fees.
Postal renewals cost £17, while doing it at a Post Office has a £21.50 fee.
