Thousands of motorists are still using invalid licences because they failed to return them after being banned from driving for traffic offences or on health grounds, broadcaster NOS said on Wednesday.

Last year alone, 10,000 people were banned from driving but 4,240 people failed to send their licence to the issuing authority CBR, NOS said.

People can lose their licence for excessive speeding, drink driving or using drugs, or because they are physically or mentally unfit to drive, such as through dementia.

NOS reported on the problem four years ago and ministers pledged improvements. Since then, however, the number of invalid licences in circulation has only grown, the broadcaster said.

Last year, the police caught almost 5,000 people driving without a valid licence, just over 2,000 up on 2017.

MPs will debate road safety later on Wednesday.