Drivers could be fined if caught with their old address on their licence.
Motorists will be all too aware of the many penalties they could face for driving dangerously or not making sure their car is roadworthy, but one aspect they may overlook is their driving licence itself.
It is essential you make sure your licence is kept up to date – and failing to do this could land you in trouble.
Indeed, new research from Direct Line Car Insurance has revealed that seven per cent of drivers in the UK – which equates to more than 2.6 million people – are yet to update their licence with their current address.
Should you be stopped by the police and not have the correct address, you could be subject to a fine of up to £1,000.
The study also revealed three per cent of married women have not changed their maiden name on their driving licence, while two per cent admitted they have failed to inform the DVLA about a notifiable medical condition they have.
Remember, it is free of charge to update a name or address on a licence, so don't forget to make sure all of your relevant documents are in order when checking out new car deals with a view to driving away in a new motor.
Rob Miles, head of motor at Direct Line, said: "British motorists have a duty to update the DVLA of any change of name or address or of any medical condition that could affect their ability to drive, but it seems that many motorists simply don't realise they are breaking the terms of their licence."
Another pressing concern highlighted by the research is the finding that 20 per cent of drivers in Britain – around 7.5 million individuals – still only have a paper driving licence.
It was noted that new photographs have to be added to photo-card licences every ten years and, as such, around two million individuals may currently be in possession of an out of date document.
Posted by Peter Murray