Abolition of Paper Counterpart For Driving Licenses

Change is the only thing that is constant in this world. Indeed, change has reached even the system of obtaining driving license in the UK. According to the latest government news, the paper counterpart of the driving license will no longer be available starting June 8, 2015.

The UK government, focusing on its Red Tape Challenge consultation on road transportation, is the main reason why the counterpart was abolished. The Red Tape Challenge initiated by the UK government aims in ensuring that there will be public safety. However, it is also a decision of the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency or DVLA as part of their strategic plan to simplify their services to ease the burden of the people, though changes such as safely storing and producing a paper counterpart license.

This newly implemented change will have a lot of implications to you.

• Paper Counterparts

Those customers who have paper counterparts should destroy these, since it will no longer be valid after June 8, 2015. However, you should still keep the photocard driving license.

• Paper Driving License

The customers who have a paper driving license from before the photocard was made known to the public shall be considered valid and will remain effective so long as the necessary information is up to date. If you ask for an update, then the photocard will be given to you.

• Penalty Points

Part of the changes brought about by technology is the advancement in the penalty point system of UK. Before, when you committed an offence, it was usually written on the photocard licences or on the paper driving license. But now, penalty points will be recorded electronically, but still payment must be made for those fines that are applicable. Hence, after June 2015, there will no longer be reliable data that can be seen on the photocard driving license. You can only view it online or through postings by the DVLA.

• License Details

As mentioned, license details will only be available through the online service of DVLA. This will give you the opportunity to look into the type of vehicles that you can drive and the driving endorsements or penalty points that you have incurred.

• Confirmation of Driving Record

The DVLA has developed an online system that you could access online, showing your driving record and the driving endorsements that you’ve had. The driving history that you will get shows the summary of the license record.

The change in one aspect of the cycle is just proof that the UK government is not only seeking the further development of their economy, but also looking out for the welfare of the people. The abolishment of the paper counterpart will also cut the costs of the drivers if the counterpart is lost. And with the advancement of technology, you will be able to check your driving details online through a Sharing Driving Service. If the government has the ability to abolish an old system, that is because it also has the capability of implementing a new system which is far better than the one that came before it.