Driving Licence Counterpart – Update for holiday makers after June 8th axe date
If you are heading abroad for your holiday this year then this is a must that you need to do if you intend on hiring a car to drive abroad whilst you are on your holiday. As posted previously the DVLA are axing the Counterpart Driving Licence from June 8th 2015 and Britons heading to Europe on holiday are facing the nightmare of arriving at their destination and not being able to hire a car, thanks to this controversial driving licence shake-up.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is scrapping the paper counterpart that accompanies all UK plastic photocard licences.
Information about penalty points for traffic violations such as speeding will be held only on the DVLA’s database, and will have to be checked online, by phone or by post.From June 8, holidaymakers heading abroad will have to log on to the DVLA website the day before and put in their driving licence number to obtain a special code to give to their car hire company when they arrive at the desk.
This passcode however is only valid for 72 hours.
Concerns are growing that the introduction of these new rules could mean people being turned away because many car hire firms abroad will still insist on examining the paper document to check for endorsements or bans.
Motorists will also be able to download their driving history as a printable PDF file, although it is unclear whether all car hire firms will accept that, or how drivers without access to a computer will cope.
The DVLA insists the changes have been widely publicised. But consumers booking car hire for holidays after June have not been warned the new rules are being introduced. The terms and conditions of most car hire firms still explicitly state that paper counterparts must be produced.
The DVLA said the system, called Share Driving Licence, would be ready in time for June 8. A spokesman 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.’
https://insidedvla.blog.gov.uk/category/abolition-of-the-counterpart/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes
Driving Licence Changes – Updated
Back in February I posted about the Abolition of the photocard driving licence counterpart.
Today I am updating you on this information to specific customer segments, notably hiring a vehicle and professional driving/driving for a living.
From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA. The counterpart was introduced to display driving licence details that could not be included on the photocard. These details include some vehicle categories you are entitled to drive and any endorsement/penalty points.
Please note, this does not affect photocard licences issued by DVA in Northern Ireland.
Customers with existing paper counterparts
If you already hold a paper counterpart, after 8 June 2015 it will no longer have any legal status. You should destroy your paper counterpart after this date but you still need to keep your current photocard driving licence.
If you have a paper driving licence which was issued before the photocard driving licence was introduced in 1998 these will remain valid so do not destroy them. Should you need to update any of your personal details or renew your licence, when you apply for this then you will only be issued with a photocard driving licence.
Penalty Points or what we call ‘Endorsements’ will no longer be shown on driving licences from June 8th 2015. This information will be held on the DVLA’s driver record. Should you need to check you can do this online or by post or telephone.
The DVLA has a free service that lets you see what details are on your driving licence and also includes what vehiciles you are allowed to drive and if you have any penalty points. To view the service click here: View Driving Licence service
After 8 June 2015 if you are hiring a vehicle or you drive for a living and you are asked to provide evidence of your driving record (entitlements and/or penalty points), you will be able to do this online for free by accessing the DVLA’s Share Driving Licence service. This service is currently in development but will be available before the counterpart is abolished in June and once we have details I will post on here. The service is for both paper and photocard driving licence holders and will also allow you to download a summary of your licence record which can be printed or shared.
Alternatively you can call DVLA and give permission for your driving record to be checked verbally by a nominated person/organisation.
If you are an organisation or business that rely on the counterpart to check the driving record of customers or employees then the free online Share Driving Licence service will be available before the counterpart is abolished.
Personalised Number Plates – now costs less to retain
From yesterday 9th March 2015 it will now cost you less to retain your cherished number plate. Instead of the old fee of £105 it will now only cost you £80 to retain your personalised number plate.
This will apply to both paper and online transactions.
This change sees the removal of the £25 fee currently in place to renew the retention of a vehicle registration number on an annual basis. The renewal period is also extended to 10 years. There is another added benefit, the fee is being removed to add or change nominee details.
Customers will see a significant reduction in turnaround times following the introduction of this service. DVLA systems will be updated in real time and the service will provide instant confirmation that the application has been successful.
So what happens next? The vehicle registration certificate (V5C) with the replacement registration number and retention certificate is issued by post to the registered keeper on DVLA’s records. There will no longer be a replacement MOT certificate issued to the keeper as the original remains valid.
Today also sees DVLA launching its online ‘Take a Registration Number off a Vehicle’ service which allows keepers and the motor trade to apply to retain a number online. The service will be launched as private beta and rolled out to the trade only for a 2-week period. The service is scheduled to be available on GOV.UK as public beta on 23 March 2015.
For all information read the DVLA blog here DVLA Blog
Click HERE or on the HOME tab at top of page to find your Cherished Number Plate
Mothers Day
Mothers Day is fast approaching once again but this year don’t say it with flowers or chocolates, go for something that is as individual as your Mum.
Cherished Number Plates what better way to to show how much you love and care. Whether it is your mother, your grandmother, your stepmother your auntie or whoever you call ‘MUM’ treat her to a personalised number plate this year.
With number plate prices starting from as little as £30 plus vat give her the gift that lasts. Not only will it be a great present it will also be an investment for the future.
Need any help or advice? Please call one of our sales staff who will be happy to help 0116 235 0116
Make it a Mothers Day she will remember forever.
Mothering Sunday March 15th 2015
Happy Mothers Day to all mums everywhere x
Click HERE or on the HOME tab at top of page to find your Cherished Number Plate
Driving Licence Changes
From 8 June 2015, the photocard licence counterpart will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA.
What does this mean for you?
Photocard driving licence holders
When DVLA stops issuing the counterpart, you should destroy yours but you still need to keep your current photocard driving licence. Entitlements and the status of your driving licence won’t change.
Paper driving licence holders (those issued before 1998)
These will remain valid, and should not be destroyed. The next time you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.
Penalty points (endorsements)
From 8 June 2015 penalty points (endorsements) will no longer be shown on driving licences. This information will be held on DVLA’s driver record, and can be checked online, by phone or post.
Organisations and businesses that check the driving licence counterpart
DVLA is developing new digital enquiry services for launch later this year that will allow organisations and businesses (such as employers and car hire companies) to view information they can currently see on the driving licence counterpart.
These new services will be offered in addition to the existing services, but are 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.
Driving licence information via these services will only be made available to those who have a right to see it, and with the knowledge of the driving licence holder.
Why is the counterpart being abolished?
The driving licence counterpart was introduced in 1998 to display information that could not fit on the photocard driving licence. Predominantly, it gives information on penalty points and provisional vehicle entitlement. After 17 years of dutifully doing its job the counterpart will be abolished on 8 June 2015.
This means that from the 8 June 2015, DVLA will stop issuing the paper counterpart. Those in circulation after this date will no longer have any legal status and should be destroyed.
The reason for abolishing the counterpart is to reduce 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. The decision to abolish the counterpart was as a result of the government’s Red Tape Challenge consultation on road transportation. It also aligns to DVLA’s Strategic Plan which includes commitment to simplifying our services.
DVLA crackdown on foreign registered vehicles
Foreign-registered vehicles being used illegally on Britain’s roads are now being seized by some police forces that have DVLA’s devolved powers. By law DVLA can give police the authority, under devolved powers, to remove untaxed vehicles.
This was as a result of growing concerns on the number of foreign registered vehicles staying longer than the 6 month period allowed for temporary visitors to the UK.
To read the full article please click on this link:- DVLA crackdown on foreign registered vehicles
Driving Licences – Union Jack Flag to be added on licences
If you are going to be applying for a new photocard Driving Licence in the future or need to make any changes to your existing photocard Driving Licence you will now be issued with a new photocard Driving Licence not just showing the European Flag but now you will get the British Union Jack Flag too.
The changes will apply to motorists in England, Scotland and Wales and provide road users with a symbolic sign of their national identity.
Transport Minister Claire Perry said:
People in this country rightly take pride in our national flag which is why I am delighted it will now be displayed on British driving licences. Celebrating Britain strengthens our sense of national identity and our unity. I will feel proud to carry my new licence and I hope others will too.
The inclusion of the Union Jack flags on photocard driving licences is one of a number of improvements being made for motorists by DVLA. On 25 October 2014, the DVLA announced a dramatic drop in licence fees for those who apply online. In the interests of reducing unnecessary red tape, since 1 October this year the paper tax disc is no more and motorists can pay their vehicle tax by direct debit. From 8 June 2015 the paper counterpart of the photocard driving licence will no longer be required.
DVLA has also introduced a service to allow the public to check the most up to date information on their driving record.
The European Union flag has been displayed on full driving licences since photocards first came into use in July 1998. More than 127 million photocard driving licences have been issued since they were introduced.
DVLA Swansea – New drug driving law
DVLA Swansea has issued today that a new offence, to make it easier for the police to arrest drivers who drive after taking illegal drugs or abuse medicinal drugs, will come into force in England and Wales on 2 March 2015.
Read the full article here
London Classic Car Ban? Update
Following on from my post back in March 2014 relating to a proposed ban on Classic Cars in London I now have an update for you.
The inital rumbling was regarding London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) a plan to solve the Capital’s poor air quality by levying hefty charges on all but modern clean running vehicles entering Greater London which when raised seemed to be leading to a ban on all cars built in the 20th century.
Although the matter had gone quiet towards the end of the year due to the ongoing consultation it seems there may be light at the end of the tunnel after all.
A recent press release from the National Association of Wedding Car Professionals (NAWCP) gave details of a recent meeting between Transport for London and the ULEZ stakeholders of which NAWCP are one. The NAWCP ‘s press release states that at a meeting in November it was decided that it had been decided by TFL that the exemptions that applied to the original LEZ would now apply to the ULEZ. “Historic Vehicles” as defined by the government scheme would be exempt from all the ULEZ charges and penalties.
Although what is an “Historic Vehicle” is up for debate, it is at present a vehicle which was manufactured before January 1st 1974 and proceeding on a rolling 40 year basis. Such vehicles must be confirmed by the DVLA as Historic and be classified accordingly on the V5C logbooks.
The consultation will not close until January 9th 2015 and so it is impossible to say what will be exempted yet.
Full details can be found in Classic car Buyer Issue 258
DVLA reminds customers of new vehicle tax refund rules
DVLA no longer accepts applications for a vehicle tax refund from customers using a V14 form. They will be rejected and returned to the customer.