Didn't know this but the paper version of your Driving Licence is being scrapped; on 8 June!
Some handy info if you're planning to hire a car soon or need to prove you have a 'points free' driving record.
https://uk.cars.yahoo.com/news/iam-warns-impending-changes-scrapping-licence-counterpart-100500615.html
Dave G
Cheers for that Dave. Never did bother getting that plastic I.D. driving licence.
Guess I should do now ???
:doh: Driving licence people have decided that I`m still using my old paper licence that needs replacing before I`m 70 in August. So I have the joy of yet another application form to fill in for the faceless hordes of the civil service >:( >:(
so are they actually writing to you to tell you, or just hitting you with w fine when you don't know about their secret decision.
I've still got my paper one, though I was expecting to have to change it before next may when I'm 70.
stupid thing is, you still have to carry the paper part of the plastic licence >:(
when I was an AA patrol several members got caught on that one when they went for a relay plus hire car and only had their plastic thing.
alan
It's only the paper part of the plastic licence that's going. If you have a full paper one, they don't seem to be doing anything to it.
The paper part, of the two part Driving Licence, was supposed to be scrapped last year
It was pulled with just weeks to go...
I was about to shread it!
Quote from Gov.uk
"Paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain valid and should not be destroyed.
If you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only."
So valid until you move, etc.
I have heard about this a few times on radio/tv but also read about it previously online. No doubt the one show and breakfast shows will run special recordings about this during that week as they have a tendency to.
All the paper part of photocard is used for is endorsments etc. The DVLA are moving over to an online system which you will be able to access but also all the Hire companies will have access to. The problems that will arise surround that some of the hire companies are not signed up properly to the new system or if you use a small foreign company may not even be aware of it. There is a code you can apply/print off as far as I am aware that can be provided to the hire companies who then contact the DVLA and get the info required from what I understand. Why the DVLA decided implement it 5 weeks before school holidays god only knows. Why not wait until Sept/Oct when less hire car issues may arise!
Read below for official details on this
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes)
I'm still using the green paper one , and also have my little red booklet one , with the annual stick in paperwork :D
I also found the issued petrol ration books from the 1970's !!!
but don't worry your driver No remains unchanged .
When mine and my wife's U.K. driving licenses came up for renewing some years ago (mine was an old pink coloured paper one held together with lots of cellotape), we decided to swap them for "Spanish" card driving licenses, and because of my age (over 70), I have to undergo a little test every 5 years to get a new one.
You sit at a TV screen and have to keep a car on a moving road using both hands to steer it using a couple of "joysticks" without going off road or bumping into things too often.
It's not as easy as it looks and and I got lots of beeps each time I hid the kerb, and/or went off the road, but I still passed.
You are then asked medical questions, and have your eyesight tested, but the whole thing only takes about 15 minutes, and I reckon that something on similar lines should be introduced in the U.K. It would weed out anyone unfit to drive any more.
The only time I have ever been asked to show my license so far (which under Spanish Law you must carry with you when you drive), is when we hire a car at an Airport in the U.K. As well as a photo on the card, it also has your fingerprint, and can be used as an I.D. card when making purchases.
What's the betting that at some point in the future the (our) data gets lost in transit/hacked etc ::)
I, too, still have the 1970's ration book although at the time was riding motorcycles so it didn't mean a huge amount to me.
Talking of Ration Books reminds me of the last War (WW2), in which my father served his Country as an Army Dispatch rider, and himself got "mentioned in dispatches" as I still have the oak leave(s) that anyone mentioned in dispatches was awarded as a recognition of gallant or meritorius action in the face of the enemy.
They are probably the oldest thing still in my possesion and were awarded (don't know exactly when) some time between 1939 and 1945, most probably (and I am only guessing) during the time my father was in Italy as I know he was at Monte Casino where a famous battle was fought in 1944 and a where lot of Allies lost their lives.
What's the oldest possesion you have, anything interesting or that has a story attached to it worth recalling?
I have my great great grandmothers bank book for the Glasgow Savings Bank fro 1895 Also the rent book from her laundry business from the same period .
I have the WW1 medals awarded to my great uncle. I wrote off to the Coldstream Guards, where he was a Colour Sergant to get his official record. I found out that he was wounded in the battle at Verdun.
Quote from: Tdm on May 22, 2015, 10:19:59 PM
They are probably the oldest thing still in my possesion and were awarded (don't know exactly when) some time between 1939 and 1945, most probably (and I am only guessing) during the time my father was in Italy as I know he was at Monte Casino where a famous battle was fought in 1944 and a where lot of Allies lost their lives.
What's the oldest possesion you have, anything interesting or that has a story attached to it worth recalling?
My Dad was also at Monte Casino "D Day dodgers !"... I remember him telling me how terrible it was, he was an Artillery spotter. Hope to visit there one day as it is just down the road so to speak..
My oldest possession is Mrs "H".
Jerry
Careful Jerry, she may be watching...
Regards,
Alex
We were recently looking through a little notebook from WW1 which was full of little thank you notes to a relative of my dad that worked as a nurse in a red cross hospital looking after mainly belgian soldiers. I think she was about to leave so a little memento from some of the staff but also some of the soldiers. A lot is in French/Flemish/Belgian plus hard to read due to handwriting but mainly little notes saying things like "thank you to an angel" etc. and they sign it with their infantry/corp number and their army number etc
Quote from: Jerry Howlett on May 23, 2015, 05:22:26 PM
My oldest possession is Mrs "H".
Jerry
That's going to mean another stay in A & E, Jerry ::)
In fact, I think we'll be sending you food parcels as it will be a long one :worried:
She nearly just read this.... Phew!
Jerry
:laughabovepost: :sweat:
I guess my oldest possession would be my great grandfathers hunter watch, which was presented to him by Eastern Valley Miners, for 16 years faithfull service as district secretary in april 1915.
My oldest posession is a Great Eastern Railway Diagram om System (basically a complete track plan of the GER) dated xmas 1910. My next oldest is a book signed by William Stanier.
Fascinating where this thread has gone!
Guess my oldest possession is my dear old grandpa's WW1 medals and a really nice picture of him when he retired from ICI around 1960, wearing his flat cap and tatty old working shirt, with a tie on. That's how I remember him.
Dave G
All I can say is we've had plastic photo licences here in NSW since before I was born ;)
What's the problem?
The problem is the plastic identity licence doesn't carry details of any convictions such as points for speeding etc, George, and this information has to be supplied to any reputable leaser of cars/vans.
Now it is incumbent on the individual to apply to the DVLA for that info before going to hire a vehicle.
Just out of curiosity, as a 'foreigner', how have you got on when hiring a car in the UK? Don't the lease car company ask such questions of you?
Never. Show valid Aussie licence and you drive out in 15 minutes.
Quote from: Bealman on May 25, 2015, 10:08:01 AM
Never. Show valid Aussie licence and you drive out in 15 minutes.
Like Bealman, I just show the Hire car company my Spanish driving license and that's it, they just photocopy it.
As regards fines/convictions and points on your license - it works the opposite way in Spain/Canaries to the U.K.
Each driver is awarded 12 points (more for older/more experienced drivers, and less for new young drivers, and points are "reduced" not "added" and if you get to "zero" it is an automatic ban.
My oldest possession is a Lee Enfield Rifle No. 4 (mk1). It's deactivated (hence why I can own it) but the bolt still bears it's RSAF stamp and is dated 1937.
It's difficult to trace it's exact history, but there's evidence that it may have been used for some time in ceremonial duties.
The strange thing about licenses, I just had to get mine re-issued as some points finally fell off and I had a change of address. So here's this new, shiny counterpart which soon wont be needed anymore. :/
Quote from: newportnobby on May 25, 2015, 10:00:43 AMJust out of curiosity, as a 'foreigner', how have you got on when hiring a car in the UK? Don't the lease car company ask such questions of you?
Same when hiring a car in the USA with a UK licence
They aren't interested in the paper part
So long as the licence has not expired and covers the category of vehicle
You then sign a waiver that your licence is valid
I traded my UK licence and paper part for a Spanish licence some while ago and there is no such thing in Spain as the paper part, I guess it is all on computer if they need it. No problem hiring cars anywhere, no one has ever asked for the paper bit even when I had my UK licence, show you have a licence and away you go. :thumbsup:
I still have my pink driving licence I hope it is still legal lol.
Been out in Sweden for the past fortnight supposedly working :laugh: Collected hire car from airport on road inside 15 mins only interested in plastic photo licence :NGF:
Tony
Quote from: Caz on June 03, 2015, 05:59:11 PM
I traded my UK licence and paper part for a Spanish licence some while ago and there is no such thing in Spain as the paper part, I guess it is all on computer if they need it. No problem hiring cars anywhere, no one has ever asked for the paper bit even when I had my UK licence, show you have a licence and away you go. :thumbsup:
Have to admit that since going through the trauma of changing my UK licence for an Italian one. They freaked that with a UK licence I could drive a 3 Ton lorry a small bus etc etc, my sarcasm saying that I no longer wanted to fly planes drive trains or captain a submarine fell on empty ears... anyway got it the day before coming to the UK for a wedding that NEEDED us to hire a car.
Anyway now car hire is so easy...
Jerry
I have a wad of driving licences/permits from all over the place. If I need to hire a car in the UK I generally used the US one coz it raises less questions than any other one. No idea why that is the case. It was the easiest test I ever did - a total of 10 minutes in the car. I'll reserve judgement on the new system here as regards hiring till I have to use it...