Tear up licence counterparts from next year
Riders and drivers ‘may destroy’ annoying paper counterpart, says DVLA
COUNTERPARTS to photocard driving licences may be torn up from next year, when the paper documents are abolished.
The DVLA will stop issuing paper counterparts with new driving licences in 2015. Those who already have a counterpart can destroy it as they will no longer be in use. A new online database will allow organisations such as employers to check details currently held on the counterpart, including provisional entitlements and convictions.
Anyone with an old-style paper driving licence from before the photocard’s introduction in 1998 should keep it. Under existing rules they will get a photocard licence when they come to replace it, for example to update their address.
A DVLA reminder on the rule changes issued this week says: ‘In 2015, DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence…
‘Entitlements, penalty points and the status of your driving licence won’t change.
‘When DVLA stops issuing the counterpart of the driving licence, those drivers who already have a counterpart may destroy it.’
Last week the DVLA issued a warning about copycat websites which look like official government sites and triple the cost of applying for a driving licence or road tax.
‘These websites will claim to offer value-added services to ensure your application is correct before you send it to DVLA. However, using this service will mean you can end up paying as much as three times the normal price for your driving licence, and all you will receive is a paper application form that has been completed for you,’ the agency said.
The agency also recently warned of a scam email claiming to be from the DVLA and asking for personal information.
The DVLA said: ‘The email, which wrongly claims to have been sent from DVLA, appears to be an attempt to trick drivers into providing personal details. DVLA have not sent out an email asking customers to update or verify their details.’
