DRIVERS over the age of 70 “won’t legally be allowed to drive” under an important DVLA rule.

Your driving licence expires when you hit 70 – but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your motor.

Motorists are legally required to renew their licence on their 70th birthday and then once every three years after that.

But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to retake your driving test – but you will have to make a health declaration when renewing.

Failing to renew means you won’t legally be allowed behind the wheel and it could invalidate your car insurance policy.

How to renew?

According to experts at Age UK, older drivers should receive an application form before they hit 70.

The charity said: “The DVLA should send you a D46P application form 90 days before your 70th birthday.

“Don’t forget to apply for any extra categories of vehicle covered on your old licence if you still want to be able to drive them.

“There might be extra costs for these but if you don’t apply for these extra categories you’ll only be able to drive a car in future.

“If your licence expires and you don’t apply for a new one, you won’t legally be allowed to drive.”

If you’re looking to renew your driving licence at 70, you can easily do so via the post or online.

If you opt for renewing by post, simply return the D46P form to the DVLA with your current driving licence photo card.

If you do apply by post though, it could take three weeks to renew your licence so it might be simpler to renew online where your new licence will arrive within a week.

There’s no fee for renewal either so make sure to be wary of scam websites trying to charge you to do so.

There’s also no need to worry about driving while waiting for your renewed licence.

As long as you haven’t been disqualified, have a valid licence and haven’t had your licence revoked for medical reasons, you’re in the clear.

Other changes

An urgent DVLA warning was recently issued to drivers as a major change is set to come into force this week that could see them slapped with a £1,000 fine.

The huge change will affect laws surrounding number plates and could lead to thousands of plates becoming invalid.

Motorists using company cars should also expect to face fresh charges as part of major law changes hitting this month.

The new changes kicked in from September 1 – and includes toll hikes and fuel changes which are bound top affect thousands of Brit drivers.

And another warning was issued to all UK drivers last month after proposals for a major new law could see countless licences revoked.

This comes after ministers have started preparing a new-safety package for this autumn.