Paper driving licence is abolished from today [UK only]

[Anniemcc2]

http://www.itv.com/news/2015-06-08/p...ed-from-today/

The paper counterpart of the driving licence is being abolished from today. Here is what you need to know about the change.

What exactly is happening?
From June 8 the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence is being scrapped. The counterpart includes information on a driver's penalty points along with details of what vehicles they can drive.

What is replacing it?
Drivers will be able to view their licence information online and generate a check code to share details with third parties by logging on to www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence.
The check code can be shared with an employer or a car hire company. It allows someone to see what vehicles you can drive, any penalty points or disqualifications, your name and the last eight characters of your driving licence number.

Why is the change being introduced?
It is all part of the Government's drive to reduce unnecessary red tape.
Last year the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) had to replace around 445,000 counterparts because drivers had lost them, for which they were charged £20 each to cover the cost.

Why are motoring groups so anxious about the change?
They think car hire companies, particularly those abroad, who want to check a driver's record will be unaware of the change.
Not all drivers need to show details of their driving record when renting vehicles. But an AA/Populus survey showed that more than a third of drivers who have hired a car abroad in the past five years have been asked to show their paper counterpart.
A survey from money.co.uk also showed that nearly three quarters of drivers were unaware of the need to produce a code when renting vehicles.

etc., etc.

[redkiteshoard]

It should be mentioned that this DOES NOT apply to the old paper licence issued before the new photo card type. That early licence is still valid for the remainder of the licence period.