From the 8th June 2015, the paper section of the two-part UK driving licence is to be abolished. It will be replaced with an online system that holds the details of all licenced drivers.
The DVLA says that paper counterparts will be invalid and should then be ‘destroyed’. However, motorists with the old-style paper driving licences, which pre-date the photocard’s introduction in 1998, will not be affected and can continue to use them.
What about operators that need to check their driver’s driving licence?
Haulage companies that rely on the counterpart to check the driving record of their drivers can use a free online Share Driving Licence service. This will be available before the counterpart is abolished.
This new service will be offered in addition to the existing services, but is designed for those who have a business need for real-time access to the information, and may not wish to call DVLA or be in a position to use an intermediary.
However, driving licence information via Share Driving Licence will only be made available with the consent of the driving licence holder.