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DfT rips up paper licences

Counterpart licence set to be axed, with data moved to online database

Counterpart driving licence

27th July 2011

The counterpart driving licence is set to be axed. The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed that the document, issued with the photocard licence, will be scrapped in 2014. And old-style paper licences will be abolished shortly after.

As part of an efficiency programme at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), driver records will be stored on an online database within three years. This will enable police to quickly check whether a motorist has any points on their licence via the Web, without needing to see the counterpart document. Organisations such as employers and insurers will be able to check an individual’s endorsements, too, although only with the consent of the driver.

The DfT has also said it intends to recall paper driving licences shortly after the new system is introduced, calling it a “logical follow-up to abolishing the counterpart”. According to the DVLA, there are still around 12 million paper licences in circulation – so more than a quarter of all motorists have yet to switch to a photocard.

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5 Comments

About time too!

I remember when the photocard licences were launched we were told that was all we would need, making it less to carry than the old licences. Then the paper counterpart came out meaning we actually need to keep safe and produce MORE.

With the technology available this has taken too long to come about.

By dastardly01 on 27 July, 2011, 5:32pm

I would have never switched to photo driving licence if I never had to do a seperate test for a different class of vehicle.
Why should they switch if they would have to pay for it.

How long would it take for this online database to be hacked or criminals gaining data from drivers online to apply for various levels of crime.

By hotredman on 28 July, 2011, 4:01am

Thank goodness for that!

I'm due to renew my licence in 2014, so hopefully I won't have to file the paper counterpart away as I've done since I got my photocard licence.
The photocard licence is, I find, very handy. An acceptable form of ID which is in your wallet, ready for use. Old paper licences were too big to carry about, or even with their plastic cover just looked tatty far too quickly. I'm also old enough to remember the old red cardboard wallet where your licence was typed out and stuck in when you renewed it.

By n50pap on 28 July, 2011, 10:13am

ranger

i still have the old paper licence,some time ago i was going to change it for the new photo card type,that is untill i found out that it would cost me £20 every 10 years to renew it,no way,this is just another way to rip the motorist off for more money,also if you forget to renew the photo card licence you can be fine up i think £1000.i will stick with my paper one thanks,as long as i can that is.

By taxicass on 28 July, 2011, 11:32am

£8 licence ?? it will soon be £50

I was one of the first to change to the £8 photocard licence, and after ten years I almost forgot to renew it, and would have but for an article in the news paper.
I would have been find a savage £1000 for none renewal as I didn't know at the time that it had to be renewed, the cost of renewal was £20 and its not going to stop there.
Its just another con on the motorist to make profits, a licence whether a photocard or not, should be once, and forever.

By Bobbybev on 3 August, 2011, 6:54pm

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