rip-off photo id driving licence

Got one of these photo id licences a few years back because I thought it would be better than having to carry around my full paper licence. First thing I found it is that you are meant to carry the bulky paper one around with you anyway, since it is not valid on its own.

Got a letter a couple of days ago saying that I now have to pay 20 quid to update the photo on the card. Apparently there are something like 40,000 people out there who do not know that you have to renew this every few years and if they get caught will face a 1000 quid fine (and could possibly find they are not insured either?). So if you have one of these better check the expiry date on the back.

Anyway what a complete rip-off by the Govt. They never said anything about having to fork out extra money when they first advertised them. Another thing, I have no doubt the photos will go into some big database which will be able to be used with face recognition software very soon to enable them to pinpoint you with CCTV cameras any time you like. I wish I had never got one in the first place now.