The DVLA has urged drivers approaching a certain age to do one thing in order to avoid serious complications, including an eye-watering fine. No matter how much experience a motorist has had behind the wheel, all drivers need to renew their licence as soon as they turn 70 to stay on the roads.

In a blog post, the website Older Drivers highlighted that drivers should be sent a reminder letter in the post around three months before their birthday. They explained: "The DVLA (or the DVA in Northern Ireland) will send you a reminder and an application form to renew your licence as your 70th birthday approaches and then every three years afterwards when your licence is due for renewal. If you do not renew your licence, you will not legally be allowed to drive after your 70th birthday. If you carry on driving, your driving licence and motor insurance would not be valid, and you would be committing a serious offence which carries stringent penalties, which could include a heavy fine and having your car seized by the police."

Whilst there is currently no maximum age restriction on driving in the UK, motorists must renew their licence when they turn 70 and every three years thereafter to prove that they are still medically fit to use a vehicle.

The quickest way to renew a driving licence is online, with motorists outside of Northern Ireland able to go onto the Government's website and fill out an online form.

Alternatively, drivers can also renew their licence by post by filling out the D46P application sent by the DVLA and return it with their current photocard or, if the driver still has a paper licence, a passport-style photo of themselves.

Older Drivers also noted that motorists must be honest about any medical conditions they have, with those failing to declare any risking a huge penalty.

They continued: "When completing the form to renew your licence, you will be asked to declare any medical conditions you have on the form and confirm that you meet the eyesight standards for driving. You must answer these questions honestly. It is a serious offence not to declare a condition or disability that might affect your driving; you can be fined up to £1,000, and if you are involved in a crash, you may be prosecuted.

"It is a very good idea to have a medical check before renewing your licence when you reach 70 years of age, and again each time your licence is renewed."

There are currently more than 100 different conditions and types of medication that the DVLA warns could put a motorist at a higher risk of accidents, with the list constantly being updated.

As a result, it is vital that drivers regularly check the list, which can be found on the Government's website, in order to make sure that they are still safe behind the wheel without additional support.

Drivers who fail to let the DVLA know about any conditions that they have are putting themselves at risk of having an accident with other road users and facing a fine of up to £1,000.