7.6 Million Motorists Risk £1000 Fines for Having Out of Date Info on Their Driving Licence

• Around 9.8 million adults either have outdated information on their driving licences or are unsure if their details are up to date
• Gen Z are the worst offenders, ranking highest among all age groups for outdated titles, incorrect addresses, expired licences, and undeclared medical conditions
• Almost one in five (18%) Gen Z drivers say they have not informed the DVLA of a notifiable medical condition
• Drivers risk fines of up to £1,000 and 3–6 penalty points for having incorrect or outdated licence information

Research¹ by Direct Line motor insurance has found that 7.6 million drivers could have out of date information on their licences, putting them at risk of a hefty fine from the DVLA, or police if stopped. While 2.9 million say they are unsure if their licence details are correct.

Table one: Licence holders who say their licence info is not up to date

Source: Direct Line motor insurance

Gen Z motorists are the worst offenders when it comes to keeping their licence and details up to date. They rank highest among all generational age groups for outdated personal information, such as titles and addresses, having expired licences, and failing to declare notifiable medical conditions. This trend suggests a significant gap in compliance and awareness amongst younger drivers compared to older generations. In contrast, drivers over the age of 60 are more likely to have their licence details up to date.

Table two: Generation that is most likely to have out of date details on licences

Source: Direct Line motor insurance

Shockingly, almost one in five (18%) GenZ motorists say they have not declared a notifiable medical condition. This figure is much higher than other age groups and may also reflect confusion among younger drivers about what actually counts as a ‘notifiable’ condition, with some potentially over‑estimating what needs to be disclosed. Surprisingly, Baby Boomers are the most compliant, with only 4% failing to declare such conditions which include epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, glaucoma, sleep apnoea, or vision deterioration on their licence.

If drivers are unsure whether they need to disclose any information, it’s important to contact the DVLA for guidance. Those with a medical condition who are uncertain whether it should be reported, can check online using the official GOV.UK service: Check if a health condition affects your driving: Overview - GOV.UK

On average, drivers admit that their licence details have been incorrect for around two years. It’s important to be aware that that anyone with a UK driving licence that is out of date or contains incorrect information could face severe penalties from the DVLA and police, including fines of up to £1,000, 3-6 penalty points or even prosecution and it could also impact their insurance cover.

Matt Pernet, Head of Motor at Direct Line, commented: “Motorists are legally required to inform the DVLA of any change of name, address or of any medical condition that could affect their ability to drive safely. However, our research shows that millions of drivers could have out of date information, meaning they would be breaking the terms of their licence.

“Incorrect information on a driving licence can result in a substantial fine and could also impact your insurance. We strongly urge motorists to check that their licence details are accurate, and to update any personal information as soon as possible if it changes. Many updates, such as a change of name or address, are free of charge, so drivers should act promptly to avoid penalties.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1         Research conducted by Opinium, amongst a representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, data collected between 5-9 December 2025. Calculation based on the adult population figure (55,022,253)

2         Driving licence fees - GOV.UK

For further information, please contact:

Unni Henry  
Brand PR Direct Line

Unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk

About Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line and is part of the Aviva Group.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com