BillyMac:
Truckyboy and Radar. That link says that anyone with a card and paper counterpart can destroy the paperpart. Where did you read we have to keep both parts? Not being sarky or anything…I just want to know for sure before I can stop carrying my falling to bits paper bit. Cheers lads.
The lass on the news this morning said it. If you still have it then you will need to keep it.
OFF THE GOVERNMENT WEB SITE
News story
Driving licence changes
From:Driver and Vehicle Licensing AgencyFirst published:18 July 2014Last updated:24 November 2014 , see all updates Part of:Transport
Updates and advice on abolition of the driving licence paper counterpart.
Driving licence photocard and counterpart
In 2015, DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence.
You can check your driving licence record online, by phone or post.
What this means for you
You do not need to take any action, just keep your current photocard driving licence.
If you have an old style paper driving licence issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998, this change won’t affect you, and you should keep your licence.
The next time you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.
Entitlements, penalty points and the status of your driving licence won’t change.
What to do with your paper counterpart
When DVLA stops issuing the counterpart of the driving licence, those drivers who already have a counterpart may destroy it.
You’ll still be able to use the counterpart driving licence to change your address with DVLA. You can also change your address online.
Organisations and businesses that check the driving licence counterpart
DVLA is developing a new digital enquiry service for launch later this year that will allow organisations and businesses (such as employers and car hire companies) to view information they can currently see on the driving licence counterpart.
This new service will be offered in addition to the existing services, but is designed for those who have a business need for real-time access to the information and may not wish to call DVLA or be in a position to use an intermediary.
Driving licence information via this service will only be made available to those who have a right to see it, and with the knowledge of the driving licence holder.
Newsletter
Stakeholders and commercial customers can find further information about the abolition of the counterpart in our newsletters.
Share this page
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
Published:
18 July 2014
Updated:
24 November 2014
© Crown copyright
Martin:
My licence expires in February and I have renewed it online today, one very good thing is that as I will be 70 in February it’s free
Renewing online for a basic car licence is very easy, do not even need to provide a photograph if you have a passport, they just use your passport photograph. As part of the renewal process I have to cut up and return both parts of the licence.
However I do have some concerns regarding the counterpart not being issued after January, every car hire company I have ever used abroad, and I have used a lot, require the hirer to produce the counterpart before you can have a car. I checked with 3 hire companies today in Cyprus (We are going there in March) and they will still require the counterpart to be produced. Only Europcar were aware of the change and they will charge me 10euros to check my licence details online.
Using the link posted earlier I can check my own details and print before I go but I do not know if that will be acceptable.
(All this only applies to the basic car licence, I stopped renewing my LGV after I retired)
One thing you need to be aware of Martin, especially if you have motorcycle entitlement and wish to keep it; it is not unknown for DVLA to return your licence with that bit missing, so make absolutely sure you check it before you scrap the old one. Also remember that they will ask you if you wish to keep your C1 entitlement, don’t forget to tick the box if you do.
That’s what I read too Mattcube. I know it is a minor thing but I hate carrying the paper bit (like the 3 cards are not enough) to work every day so I can’t wait to get rid. So that DVLA page is confirming it is OK to dispose as of Jan 1st?
Sidevalve:
Martin:
My licence expires in February and I have renewed it online today, one very good thing is that as I will be 70 in February it’s free
Renewing online for a basic car licence is very easy, do not even need to provide a photograph if you have a passport, they just use your passport photograph. As part of the renewal process I have to cut up and return both parts of the licence.
However I do have some concerns regarding the counterpart not being issued after January, every car hire company I have ever used abroad, and I have used a lot, require the hirer to produce the counterpart before you can have a car. I checked with 3 hire companies today in Cyprus (We are going there in March) and they will still require the counterpart to be produced. Only Europcar were aware of the change and they will charge me 10euros to check my licence details online.
Using the link posted earlier I can check my own details and print before I go but I do not know if that will be acceptable.
(All this only applies to the basic car licence, I stopped renewing my LGV after I retired)One thing you need to be aware of Martin, especially if you have motorcycle entitlement and wish to keep it; it is not unknown for DVLA to return your licence with that bit missing, so make absolutely sure you check it before you scrap the old one. Also remember that they will ask you if you wish to keep your C1 entitlement, don’t forget to tick the box if you do.
Keeping the C1 and D1 entitlement is not an option once you reach 70, needs a medical. I already asked that question…
BillyMac:
That’s what I read too Mattcube. I know it is a minor thing but I hate carrying the paper bit (like the 3 cards are not enough) to work every day so I can’t wait to get rid. So that DVLA page is confirming it is OK to dispose as of Jan 1st?
No. Only when you are issues with a new Photocard license, only then can you destroy the paper part.
Radar19:
BillyMac:
That’s what I read too Mattcube. I know it is a minor thing but I hate carrying the paper bit (like the 3 cards are not enough) to work every day so I can’t wait to get rid. So that DVLA page is confirming it is OK to dispose as of Jan 1st?No. Only when you are issues with a new Photocard license, only then can you destroy the paper part.
Are you sure of that ? …
gov.uk/government/news/driv … ce-changes
What to do with your paper counterpart
When DVLA stops issuing the counterpart of the driving licence, those drivers who already have a counterpart may destroy it.
mattecube:
OFF THE GOVERNMENT WEB SITENews story
Driving licence changes
From:Driver and Vehicle Licensing AgencyFirst published:18 July 2014Last updated:24 November 2014 , see all updates Part of:Transport
Updates and advice on abolition of the driving licence paper counterpart.
Driving licence photocard and counterpart
In 2015, DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence.You can check your driving licence record online, by phone or post.
What this means for you
You do not need to take any action, just keep your current photocard driving licence.If you have an old style paper driving licence issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998, this change won’t affect you, and you should keep your licence.
What to do with your paper counterpart
When DVLA stops issuing the counterpart of the driving licence, those drivers who already have a counterpart may destroy it.You’ll still be able to use the counterpart driving licence to change your address with DVLA. You can also change your address online.
I think people are getting confused between the two highlighted points above…the first point (in red) relates to the few drivers who still hold an old-style paper licence e.g. NOT a photocard. They do still exist - especially non-LGV/PCV licence holders.
The second point (in green) says those of us that have a photocard and paper counterpart combination MAY destroy the counterpart ONLY once the DVLA stop issuing new counterparts. This is of course optional.
This is very confusing, the reporter on BBC Breakfast armed with the information from the DVLA give the impression that you have to keep the counterpart and you could only destroy it when you are issued with a new licence which will now be issued without a counterpart 
Big Roy:
This is very confusing, the reporter on BBC Breakfast armed with the information from the DVLA give the impression that you have to keep the counterpart and you could only destroy it when you are issued with a new licence which will now be issued without a counterpart
I didn’t see the report by the BBC but perhaps they were referring to the photocard itself rather than the paper counterpart.
I know that the renewal process now has a statement on the form that says ‘If you are likely to require your existing licence in the near future for driver training purposes (e.g. Driver CPC attendance) then do not return it with this application form to DVLA’ - or words to that effect. It goes on to say something about returning old licence once new one has arrived.
Big Roy:
This is very confusing, the reporter on BBC Breakfast armed with the information from the DVLA give the impression that you have to keep the counterpart and you could only destroy it when you are issued with a new licence which will now be issued without a counterpart
When you apply for a new licence you have to send the old licence and counterpart back, so you wont have it anyway. (I have just renewed mine so I know that is correct)
Big Roy:
This is very confusing, the reporter on BBC Breakfast armed with the information from the DVLA give the impression that you have to keep the counterpart and you could only destroy it when you are issued with a new licence which will now be issued without a counterpart
I did email then about that - verbal DVLA being different to written DVLA !!
Do we have a date for this yet then? I’m still hiding with some bloody horse, a posh spoken fella named Lord and a fella who used to work in a chippie and swears he’s Elvis!
Martin:
Big Roy:
This is very confusing, the reporter on BBC Breakfast armed with the information from the DVLA give the impression that you have to keep the counterpart and you could only destroy it when you are issued with a new licence which will now be issued without a counterpartWhen you apply for a new licence you have to send the old licence and counterpart back, so you wont have it anyway. (I have just renewed mine so I know that is correct)
How long it takes
Your driving licence should arrive within a week if you apply online.
You must send the photocard and paper counterpart of your old licence to DVLA when you get your new licence. You’ll be told the address to use when you finish the application
gov.uk/renew-driving-licence
This is from the on-line application - I know it’s different if done via post but I’m sure you no longer HAVE TO send your current licence back with application for renewal.
Daz1970:
You must send the photocard and paper counterpart of your old licence to DVLA when you get your new licence. You’ll be told the address to use when you finish the applicationgov.uk/renew-driving-licence
This is from the on-line application - I know it’s different if done via post but I’m sure you no longer HAVE TO send your current licence back with application for renewal.
I received my renewal form 2 days ago and it still requires you to return the current driving licence with a postal application, the reason for this is that you are not allowed to hold 2 licences at the same time.
Martin:
Daz1970:
You must send the photocard and paper counterpart of your old licence to DVLA when you get your new licence. You’ll be told the address to use when you finish the applicationgov.uk/renew-driving-licence
This is from the on-line application - I know it’s different if done via post but I’m sure you no longer HAVE TO send your current licence back with application for renewal.I received my renewal form 2 days ago and it still requires you to return the current driving licence with a postal application, the reason for this is that you are not allowed to hold 2 licences at the same time.
That’s why most of us “lose” the original one and destroy it afterwards.
Having delt with the DVLA for many years I find it very easy to believe that they could give out incorrect advice, its something they are quite good at doing.
From what I’ve heard from driving examiners you can bin your counterpart, your driving licence details held on your counterpart can be seen online, just need to know your licence number, postcode and national insurance number - this also means anyone with this info can check your licence data everyday if they wish, it can also be automated to inform your employer of changes to your licence.
No disrespect but “From what I’ve heard from driving examiners” just adds to the confusion
Tockwith Training:
this also means anyone with this info can check your licence data everyday if they wish, it can also be automated to inform your employer of changes to your licence.
Really?! Wow!
So for anyone other than you (or Officials) to view your pointless 35 DCPC hours they have to be given a temporary password (I’m pretty sure that means its a one time only usage thing)
But for your driving licence once you’ve given an employer an “in” then they are free to check whenever they please, that’s a breach of the data protection act surely to god?
