Police seize vehicle in Kent and discover driver’s licence expired 43 years ago – ‘Why do they do it?’

Police have been left stunned after pulling over a driver who had not renewed their driving licence for more than 40 years.

Taking to social media, Kent Roads Policing Unit (RPU) posted an image of a grey Honda with a large “seized by police” sign in the rear window.

It clarified that the vehicle had been seized because officers realised the owner of the vehicle had not renewed their licence since the 1980s.

The RPU also stated that it had issued the motorist with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) and seized the vehicle.

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Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Kent Roads Policing Unit said: “Officers on patrol in the Dover area stopped this vehicle and established that the drivers licence expired in 1981, having previously been disqualified for drink driving.”

The social media post ended with the sarcastic hashtag “#NiceStop”, followed by a number of comments from baffled followers.

Commenters questioned how the driver was able to get away with it for so long, especially while already having an offence on their record. Someone said: “Why do they do it? Why drive while disqualified? They must surely know they will be caught.”

One X user commented: “I guess we will never know how long he has been driving since. Not too sure this is a great one for the police to be advertising.”

Another said: “Excellent work. However, you’ve just proven a banned driver can get away without having a driving licence for over 40 years. Great work.”

A fourth added: “43 years without getting caught. Must be a trillionaire never paying all that insurance.”

Traffic Offence Reports are used by police forces to document minor offences if they believe further action is appropriate.

According to the Police Federation, “driving otherwise than in accordance with driving licence” is an endorsable offence and can result in someone being slapped with a £100 fine and three points on their licence.

Motorists are required to renew their driving licence every 10 years, or every three years if they are over the age of 70.

Drivers need to pay £14 if they renew their licence online. However, it will be free if they are over the age of 70 or have a medical short period licence.

People who would prefer to renew their licence at the Post Office will need to take their photocard licence with them and pay a fee of £21.50.

Generally, a driving licence should arrive within a week if they apply online or three weeks if they do it at a Post Office branch.

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