According to Direct Line Car Insurance, 2.6 million drivers across the country haven’t updated their driving license and risk being smacked with a hefty fine from the police if they get stopped.

Three per cent of married women still have their maiden name on their driving licence and two per cent of motorists should have informed the DVLA about a notifiable medical condition, such as physical disability or visual impairment, since their current licence was issued.

Normally there is a charge of £20 to renew a driving licence with the DVLA, but as it is free of charge to update a driving licence with a change of name or address, drivers should ensure that they take this simple step to avoid a fine.

Rob Miles, head of motor at Direct Line, said: “British motorists have a duty to update the DVLA of any change of name or address or of any medical condition that could affect their ability to drive, but it seems that many motorists simply don’t realise they are breaking the terms of their licence.”

By 2015, the old paper counterpart to driving licenses will be phased out and all drivers who apply after that time will be issued photo-card licenses only.

This does not affect the 10 million paper licenses from before 1998, which will remain legal and in ciculation.

However, the photo-card licences need to be updated with a new photograph every ten years and the DVLA estimates that two million motorists already have an out-of-date licence.

Miles added: “Millions of drivers have an old name or address on their driving licence, and while this won’t affect their car insurance cover, having incorrect information on their licence puts them at risk of a large fine if their licence is ever checked by the police. We urge motorists to ensure their licence information is up to date and that their licence is current.”

A DVLA Spokesman said: “Licences expire every ten years until the age of 70. It is important they are kept up to date to ensure the details are correct, the photograph is a current likeness and that licences in circulation contain the latest security features to protect against fraud.

“Appearances can change and it is important that the police and other enforcement agencies have the best possible photograph to help correctly identify drivers. This helps prevent driving licence impersonation – stopping disqualified and perhaps dangerous drivers taking to our roads.”

Quick facts:

• Licences for professional drivers (bus and lorry) are renewable every five years and the photograph must be updated every ten years.

• From age 70 drivers will need to renew their licence for up to three years.

• The driver does not need to update their photograph from age 70 when they renew their licence.

• Renewing the driving licence is easy and it can be done online at GOV.UK by post or at selected Post Offices.

• The renewal fee is usually £20, but is free for drivers aged 70 and over.

• DVLA writes to every driver when their licence is due for renewal, providing instructions on how to renew and the penalty for not doing so.