926,00 people entitled to drive in Britain had out-of-date photocards in the year leading up to September according to the DVLA. Only a small percentage of these are likely to have stopped driving as a result, meaning the rest could be fined.
Photocards must be renewed every 10 years to make sure the photo looks like you. (To find the licence's expiry date, look at section 4b on the card.)
Failing to return an expired licence to the DVLA is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can be punished with a fine of up to £1,000.
Those with licences due to expire will receive a letter from the DVLA to remind them to renew 56 days before their licence ends, but some drivers miss these letters.
If a licence expires while the DVLA is processing a renewal application, you can continue to drive as long as you meet criteria such as following the rules of your previous licence.
A DVLA spokeswoman said: ‘We encourage customers to use GOV.UK as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence. If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence.’