The gender-neutral title Mx has become one of the most popular honorifics on UK driving licences, it has emerged.

The title - which provides an alternative to traditional gender-specific options - has seen a dramatic rise in usage between 2019 and 2023, with more than 7,000 drivers choosing it for their applications and renewals over the past three years.

Department for Transport figures have revealed that Mx has now become the ninth most frequently requested title on driving licence applications.

The rise of Mx has represented a significant shift in title preferences, as it has now surpassed traditional honorifics in its newfound popularity.

DfT data has showed that, while 7,000 drivers opted for Mx, the combined total for lord, lady and sir stood at just 6,500 during the same period

Data shows that, while 7,000 drivers opted for Mx, the combined total for lord, lady and sir stood at just 6,500 during the same period.

Now, the gender-neutral title is only marginally less popular than professor, which saw approximately 7,500 applications.

The surge in Mx usage has been particularly dramatic, with a 600 per cent increase from 2022, when just 944 drivers were registered with the title.

This trend has aligned with broader shifts in gender identity across England and Wales.

According to the 2021 census, 262,000 people in England and Wales identify with a gender different from their sex registered at birth.

Traditional titles continue to dominate overall usage, with Mr remaining the most common honorific as 27million people selected it during this period.

Mrs was selected by a smaller portion of 12million drivers for their licences.

Meanwhile, the title Ms, which does not indicate marital status, has seen its own dramatic increase in popularity among women.

In fact, usage of Ms has surged from 159,000 last year to 1.6 million this year, indicating a significant shift in how women choose to present themselves on official documentation.

The DVLA offers drivers several pre-defined title options when applying for licences, including traditional choices like Mr, Mrs and Ms (Stock)

The DVLA offers drivers several pre-defined title options when applying for licences, including traditional choices like Mr, Mrs and Ms.

However, individual applicants also have the flexibility to specify their own preferred title using an "other" field on the application.

The DVLA offers drivers several pre-defined title options when applying for licences, including traditional choices like Mr, Mrs and Ms.

Applicants also have the flexibility to specify their own preferred title using an "other" field on the application.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines Mx, which first appeared in print during the 1970s, as a "gender-neutral title" commonly used by transgender people.

The dictionary notes it is also used by "those who do not identify themselves as male or female".