No more paper counterpart
From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence won’t be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA. Existing counterparts should be destroyed.
- Older-style paper driving licences are still valid – if you have one, keep it
- Renew your photocard driving licence with our Photocard Renewal Service
Find out what this means for you.
- The paper counterpart to your photocard licence will no longer be valid – the best thing to do is get rid of it
- You still need to keep your plastic photocard driving licence
- If you have a paper licence (issued before 1998), you need to keep it
What’s the paper counterpart?
It’s the document that came with your photocard driving licence – if you received your licence after 1998, you’ll have one.
It’ll have the code D740 in the top right hand corner and say ‘Counterpart driving licence’ at the top, along with your name and address.
It’s different from an older-style paper driving licence, so make sure you don’t confuse the two.
I have an old style paper licence. What should I do?
The old style paper licences issued before 1998 are still valid, so hold onto yours.
However, if your details have changed or you need to renew your licence, you’ll need to let DVLA know. The next time you apply for a new licence, you’ll receive a photocard instead.
You can renew your photocard licence at the Post Office, click here for more info.
How can I show someone else my driving record?
If you’re applying for a new job, hiring a car, or just need to show someone else your driving record, you’ll need to use DVLA’s Share your licence service
, which will be available in time for 8 June.
To do this, you’ll need your driving licence number, your National Insurance number, and your driving licence postcode.
- Log on to DVLA’s View your driving licence service
on GOV.UK - Click ‘Share your licence information’, follow the instructions and make a note of your code
- This code can only be used once – to share your driving record again or with someone else, you’ll need a new code
- You can share this code with whoever needs to see your driving record – for example car hire companies or employers. You will also need to supply them with the last 8 digits of your driving licence number
- They can then look up your driving record on GOV.UK
Why are DVLA getting rid of the counterpart?
This is all to simplify DVLA’s services – which should mean fewer forms and documents to keep track of.
I’m hiring a car on holiday – what should I do?
From 8 June 2015, British holidaymakers may need to pack a special code from the DVLA to hire a vehicle.
This is because the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence – the bit that shows your driving record – is no longer valid and issued by DVLA.
Holidaymakers who need to share their driving history should log on to GOV.UKto generate a unique code to share their licence details with the hire company.
Plan ahead
To get the code, you’ll need your driving licence number, the postcode as shown on your driving licence, and your National Insurance number – as well as internet access, so watch out for roaming charges.
The code can only be used once and is valid for 72 hours – meaning you won’t be able to hang onto the code for your whole holiday. If the code expires prior to checks being made you’ll need to generate a new code. Five check codes can be generated per day.
It’s best to know when you’re likely to visit the car hire firm well in advance, so you can get all your info together before you go abroad.
But remember – the paper counterpart is more or less unique to the UK, so many foreign firms may not expect to see it in the first place.
And don’t forget your International Driving Permit – you may need one to drive legally in your holiday destination.
Post Office