Motorists in the UK are being nudged by the DVLA to check their driving licence expiry dates. And if it is time for a renewal, the agency has encouraged drivers to do so online.

Taking to social media platform X, the DVLA urged: "Due to renew your driving licence? Do it online. It's easy, quick and secure to renew on gov.uk."

Current regulations require a photocard driving licence to be refreshed every 10 years. So, people who got their full licence back in 2015 or before should check if they need updating.

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The DVLA routinely dispatches reminder letters when your licence is nearing its expiration date. To update your documentation, head over to , which services England, , and Wales. It does cost around £14 to renew your licence. You’re able to cover the fee through MasterCard, Visa, Electron, or Delta debit and credit cards.

For Residents of Northern Ireland, the process varies slightly as they must use the for their renewals, according to . Driving with an expired licence can result in fines up to £1,000, penalty points on your licence and potentially even invalidate your insurance.

Your new licence will be valid from the day your application is approved, not the day your current licence expires. If your licence is already expired, it is best to avoid driving until you've completed your application.

According to , if your licence expires while your renewal is being processed you should be able to continue driving if you meet certain requirements, like not being disqualified from driving. Online applicants typically receive their new licences within a week.

You will need to send your current photocard back to the DVLA, with specific address details provided when you complete your application. Alternatively, some might opt for renewing in person at the Post Office, which will set you back £21.50.

For this method, you will have to bring along your reminder letter and current licence, or if you are missing a reminder letter, the photocard alone will suffice for servicing at the Post Office.

You can also apply by post. To do this, you will need a 'D1 pack' of forms which you can obtain from any Post Office that deals with DVLA photocard renewals or vehicle tax.

When completing the forms, you must include a recent printed passport-style photo, your current photocard licence if you have one, and a cheque or postal order for £17, made payable to the DVLA.

You will need to send your completed application to:

DVLA

Swansea

SA99 1DH

If you apply at the Post Office or by post, you should receive your driving licence within three weeks. However, this may take longer if your medical or personal details need to be verified. You can continue driving while you wait for your new licence to arrive.