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[Dave Elite]

I can see the point in having a photo driving licence (like most other countries) BUT we seem to have messed it up a little by having a paper counter part. What is the point of it? Why can't it all be electronic?

It seems daft to me to replace a paper DL with........ more paper AND plastic...

[Omegadoha, Desert Member]

Agreed. All we require is a credit card sized licence which can also serve as your ID. Then we don't need ID cards.

[ScottieMV6]

More stupid ideas from our superb government.

There is no reason that i can see why all endorsements could not be recorded on a chip on the plastic card. Ok, police would not be able to read it without some kind of reader but then how many of us actually carry the paper bit around with us?

[oceansoul]

They can read all points etc over computer/radio anyways. Maybe its because half of this country are a bit simple so would forget how many points they have without it.

[Pitchfork]

My licence is green, paper & folded into a little transparent plastic wallet. (actually have not seen it for years come to think of it!)

[zirk]

My licence is green, paper & folded into a little transparent plastic wallet. (actually have not seen it for years come to think of it!)

Snap!, are they still valid?

[mantahatch]

My licence is green, paper & folded into a little transparent plastic wallet. (actually have not seen it for years come to think of it!)

Snap!, are they still valid?

Snap aswell, and yes they are still valid, and if you don't move house or change your name will last most of your driving life. The nasty plastic things need replacing every 10 years at your cost

[cruisetopoland]

My licence is green, paper & folded into a little transparent plastic wallet. (actually have not seen it for years come to think of it!)

Snap!, are they still valid?

Snap aswell, and yes they are still valid, and if you don't move house or change your name will last most of your driving life. The nasty plastic things need replacing every 10 years at your cost

Not just the licence, the photo needs replacing every 10 years.

For all other changes, even removing spent points, just to a change of (free) address, to a mate's then back again-costs nothing and works.

Just don't leave it in the plastic wallet it first came in, they nick it and now do not issue them anymore.  Lost my nice plastic wallet like this 

Interestingly, my 2009 issued photocard licence is far plainer than my 2008 one-the new one looks more like a fake!

[cruisetopoland]

I can see the point in having a photo driving licence (like most other countries) BUT we seem to have messed it up a little by having a paper counter part. What is the point of it? Why can't it all be electronic?

It seems daft to me to replace a paper DL with........ more paper AND plastic...

Yes-it is crazy, especially when you have to carry the paper one as well as the card when you are abroad 

[waspy]

My licence is green, paper & folded into a little transparent plastic wallet. (actually have not seen it for years come to think of it!)

Snap!, are they still valid?

Snap aswell, and yes they are still valid, and if you don't move house or change your name will last most of your driving life. The nasty plastic things need replacing every 10 years at your cost

Or apply for a Digital Driving Card

I had a paper one for 25 years until i applied for the DDC.
I didn't pay for this one, but i expect i will for the next & so on

[Entwood]

Another rip-off ...  5 years and 3 years ago I had to pay for a new licences to have my PCV and HGV entitlements added, including a new photos as well..

BUT .. it didn't extend the licence date .. oh no .. that now has to be renewed at further cost.

So in 10 years of this licence will be "renewed" 4 times ... and guess who's paying

 

[Vamps]

Another rip-off ...  5 years and 3 years ago I had to pay for a new licences to have my PCV and HGV entitlements added, including a new photos as well..

BUT .. it didn't extend the licence date .. oh no .. that now has to be renewed at further cost.

So in 10 years of this licence will be "renewed" 4 times ... and guess who's paying

 

Same for me.......... just a bit of a con.

[cruisetopoland]

Another rip-off ...  5 years and 3 years ago I had to pay for a new licences to have my PCV and HGV entitlements added, including a new photos as well..

BUT .. it didn't extend the licence date .. oh no .. that now has to be renewed at further cost.

So in 10 years of this licence will be "renewed" 4 times ... and guess who's paying

 

Same for me.......... just a bit of a con.

Same goes-got PCV and bike categories....

[waspy]

I had a thought this morning about the paper side of the licence.
It must be to show employers & the like that you have a clean licence.

[Entwood]

I had a thought this morning about the paper side of the licence.
It must be to show employers & the like that you have a clean licence.

Not just employers ... you try and hire a car, pick up a courtesy car, etc etc without it .. not a chance ..

Other than the DVLA computer, it is the only place any points, disqualifications etc are recorded, so inorder to protect themselves these folks want to know your driving history.

Not unreasonable IMHO, as you could be hiring/borrowing an expensive piece of kit and have an abysmal driving record.

It is possible to put all this on a chip on the licence ..... but then every place would need to have a chip reader, and would you want them to be able to access your data directly

It would not take much for the criminals out there to clone or rewrite your chip ........