The DVLA's plans to scrap the paper part of the UK driving licence could cause chaos for people hiring cars abroad this summer, motoring groups have warned.
From June 8, UK drivers will be obliged to carry only their photocard licences. All the additional information currently held on the paper counterpart driving licence, including any points or endorsements, will be held on the DVLA's own database and will only be able to be checked online, by phone or by post.
If you want to hire a car, holidaymakers will have to register with the DVLA in advance by logging on to the DVLA website, entering their driving licence number and obtaining a code that they can then give to the car hire company instead of the paper driving licence.
However, that code is only valid for 72 hours so if you aren't picking up a hire car as soon as you get to the airport, you might have to log onto the website while you're on holiday to get a new code.
Motorists will also be able to download a printable PDF containing their driving history, but with the changes not widely publicised, it is not yet known how many car hire companies will accept this, if at all.
Mark Bower, of the car hire insurance website MoneyMaxim, told the Daily Mail that this could cause huge problems for holidaymakers visiting Europe: “Most people are simply unaware that these changes are on the way – and it is not just renters,†he said.
“I spoke to one big car hire firm in Portugal this week and they knew nothing of the changes. Six weeks away from implementation, the whole thing is very muddled.
“It is another thing you have to remember to do just before departure. Or you can do it at the desk with your smartphone if you can remember the website address, don't mind the data roaming charges, can remember your national insurance number and are impervious to the long queue developing behind you.â€
A DVLA spokesperson said: “There is up-to-date information on the website and we are working closely with the industry to ensure that their systems and processes are ready for the changes.â€