Do you have a valid driver's license? You'd better check it.

If you use your own car for your daily commute to and from work, or are even a professional driver, then it is definitely worth keeping an eye on the expiration date of your driving license. Anyone who does not replace it in time will have to do without it for some time. When you submit an application for a new document at the administrative department of the municipality or city office, the official will most likely confiscate the already invalid document. You will not even receive any confirmation that you are waiting for a new driving license, which is currently in production.

It takes 15 to 20 working days to issue a new document, but if you pay an administrative fee of 500 crowns, you will receive it in just five days. If you continue to drive without a license during this period, you will commit an offense for which you risk a significant fine of up to 2,000 crowns in the event of a roadside inspection. However, the approach of officials when replacing a driver's license differs. While at the Most City Hall, they will keep your current one, even if it is already invalid, until a new document is issued. In Litvínov, on the other hand, they will confiscate your invalid document.

In 2007, administrative authorities issued over 1.1 million driving licenses, but drivers have only exchanged a third of them for new ones. Most driving licenses expire in March, October and November. It is possible to exchange an old document for a new one three months before its expiration date.

"If you have a driver's license, there is a good chance that the police officer will not notice that it is invalid during a roadside check. However, if you cannot present any document, you will not be able to avoid a fine. The approach of the officials in Most seems more humane to me. In addition, I have experience from my surroundings. An acquaintance lost his driver's license in the middle of last year, but he still has not replaced it. Since then, the police have checked it twice at random, and he unintentionally caused a minor accident. However, in neither case did the law enforcement officers verify the validity of his document, so he always escaped without punishment," confided 55-year-old driver Václav.

However, as confirmed by lawyer Jan Humplík, the correct procedure is chosen by the officials of the Litvínov City Hall. "The Road Traffic Act states that a driver of a motor vehicle must have a driver's license with them when driving. Furthermore, the holder of an invalid driver's license must surrender it, otherwise he commits an offense. Therefore, if the holder of a driver's license does not request its replacement in time, and does so only when it is invalid, he will always have a problem. He is obliged to surrender his driver's license, but he is not authorized to drive without it. Even in a situation where he drives with an invalid driver's license, he will commit an offense. If he does not surrender it, he will also commit an offense. I have not seen anywhere that a temporary document should be issued. In my opinion, the office's procedure of leaving drivers with an invalid driver's license is contrary to the law," he explained.

Practical advice focused primarily on road safety is offered to interested parties by the Automotoklub Most in cooperation with the company AUTODROM MOST. Since last year, it has been organizing free discussions with the legend between safe driving instructors and former racing driver Jiří Patera. The next meeting will take place on Monday, January 23rd from 4:00 p.m. in the classroom of the polygon's administrative building.

Jiří Patera will introduce the participants to the principles of road safety, as well as the new features of the Road Traffic Act, the electronic systems of modern cars and, of course, will advise on the selection of suitable winter tires. The course will also include a tour of the driving range, which, with its technology and equipment, is still one of the most modern areas for safe driving training in Europe. "Even though these are serious and serious topics, I try to present them with perspective and humor. In addition, the explanation will be enriched by a number of visual materials and short films, so no one should get bored," promises the instructor.