Driving Licence Changes

The paperless driving licence is here (almost) The paper tax disc has now gone, and January 2015 will see the demise of the paper counterpart driving licence. From January 2015, DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the photocard

The paperless driving licence is here (almost)The paper tax disc has now gone, and January 2015 will see the demise of the paper counterpart driving licence. From January 2015, DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence.

What does it mean?

In purely practical terms very little because no one needs to actually do anything apart from keeping hold of the photocard part. There will be a number of drivers who do not possess a photocard licence and so they will simply retain the old style paper one.

Whatever driving entitlements you have to drive will remain recorded at DVLA, along with details of penalty points and endorsements. Those have until now been recorded on the paper part but from January 2015 you will be able to check your record online, or by post and telephone.

The next time you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.

Anyone who does not think they will need the paper licence after the change can dispose of it, but you shouldn’t do that before 1 January 2015.

Organisations and businesses that check the driving licence counterpart

As well as being able to check your own record, DVLA is developing a new digital enquiry service for launch later this year that will allow organisations and businesses to view information they can currently see on the driving licence counterpart.

This will likely apply to employers, car hire companies and insurers. The insurance industry sees it as an important part of the drive to reduce fraud making it more difficult for those buying insurance to hide their records. DVLA will release such information to those that show a right to see it and with the consent of the licence holder.