On Monday, June 8, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will no longer be valid or issued by the DVLA. Your Car takes a look at what this could mean for you.
The counterpart was introduced to display driving licence details that could not be included on the photocard. These details include some vehicle categories you are entitled to drive and any endorsement/penalty points.
The decision to abolish the counterpart was as a result of the government’s Red Tape Challenge consultation on road transportation. It also aligns to DVLA’s Strategic Plan which includes commitment to simplify their services.
Here is the DVLA’s guide to how the changes could affect you:
DRIVERS WITH EXISTING PAPER COUNTERPARTS
If you already hold a paper counterpart, after Monday it will no longer have any legal status. You should destroy your paper counterpart after this date, but you still need to keep your current photocard driving licence.
CUSTOMERS WITH PAPER DRIVING LICENCES
Paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain valid and should not be destroyed.
If you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.
HOW TO VIEW YOUR DRIVING LICENCE DETAILS
The DVLA has a free view driving licence service on its website which lets you see what details are on your licence, including what vehicles you can drive and any penalty points you may have. You can find it at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
HOW TO CONFIRM YOUR DRIVING RECORD TO AN EMPLOYER
If you drive for a living and you are asked to provide evidence of your driving record (entitlements and/or penalty points), you can do this online for free by accessing the Share Driving Licence service. The service should be used by both paper and photocard driving
licence holders. You can generate a “check code” to pass to the person or organisation that needs to view your driving licence details.
If you cannot generate a code online, then you can call 0300 083 0013 and DVLA will provide you with a code. Alternatively you can call DVLA on 0300 790 6801 and leave permission for your driving record to be checked verbally by a nominated person/organisation.
HOW TO HIRE A VEHICLE WITHOUT YOUR PAPER
LICENCE COUNTERPART
You may wish to check with the hire company what they need to see when you hire a vehicle.
If you are asked for evidence of what vehicles you can drive or confirmation of any penalty points, you can request a unique code from www.gov.uk which allows you to share your driving licence details or you can download a summary of your driving licence record.
The code lasts for up to 72 hours and will allow the hire companies to make any necessary checks.
Not all vehicle hire companies will ask for this information and it is advised that you check with your hire company.