Prepare For Car Hire Confusion As The Paper Driving Licence Is Scrapped

GEM Motoring Assist is warning drivers of holiday car hire confusion and delay when the paper counterpart driving licence becomes obsolete next Monday (8 June 2015).

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is scrapping the paper counterpart licence that accompanies all plastic photocard licences. This means information about penalty points can only be accessed online, by phone or through the post from DVLA.

Anyone hiring a car will need to log in online at the DVLA (www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk) to generate a licence check code. This will be valid for 72 hours and should be given to the hire company who will be able to access driver details.

To access the site, drivers will need to provide their driving licence number, post code and national insurance number.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE says: "We predict long car hire delays, particularly at overseas holiday destinations, simply because many car hire firms are going to be unaware of the changes and are likely to want to examine a paper document, even though it will not be valid.

"The scrapping of the paper licence gives already stressed holidaymakers one more task to remember before setting off. Worse still, if they're not hiring a car until later in their holiday, they will be forced to find internet access at their foreign destination, something that could be expensive as well as inconvenient.

"Our advice is to obtain the licence check code as instructed by DVLA, but also to keep the paper counterpart licence as a back-up when you travel, even though it will have no legal status. After all, if a rental desk is unfamiliar with the new rules, then producing your counterpart paper licence might be the only way for you to get behind the wheel of your holiday rental vehicle."

Paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain valid.

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ENDS

Notes for editors

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area.

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009.

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services.

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile). David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety.

Alternatively you can email press@motoringassist.com for any further information.