By Lyndsey Hall
From June, the paper part of your driving licence will become obsolete, replaced by an online system, much like paper vehicle tax discs.
The move to an online database is part of the government’s “Red Tape Challenge”, which is aimed at helping cut unnecessary red tape for businesses and individuals when dealing with the government.
According to a government spokesperson, “The reason for abolishing the counterpart is to reduce the burden on motorists. For most drivers there simply isn’t a need to have this information on a piece of paper when it is now freely and easily available online. It also saves drivers from paying £20 to replace a lost or damaged counterpart.”
Paper counterparts will no longer be valid after June 8th, and the DVLA are advising all drivers to destroy them after this date to prevent any risk of identity theft.
If, after June, you update or replace your old driving licence, you will only be issued with a photo card, but there is no need to replace your current, valid photo card until the expiry date stated on it.
Your details will be stored on the government’s online database, along with the other approximately 30 million motorists, and you will be able to check your information here. Alternatively, you can request your records by telephone or post.
What do you think about the government’s move towards a modern, paperless establishment? We’d love to know your thoughts, leave us a Comment or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.
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