[AlanQS]

This is a pet bugbear of mine. Organisations or people who can request to see your driving license (I have the old non photo version) and then open it up to look at the reverse to see (and even photo-copy) your traffic convictions. Since I've had my current version since 1976, this means it covers almost all my driving career.

I don't know about England, but in Scotland a police officer can require you to produce your license but he (she) is not allowed to open it to look at your convictions and my view is that if the State has no right then neither does any other person or organisation.

I realise that a car hire company demands you show it (if you refuse - no car) but they are only looking for convictions for car theft or arson of a vehicle - which is an automatic refusal of rental.

But some job agencies ask for it then go away and photo copy both sides and this burns me up no end as your current points total matters not a jot for most jobs - especially when it is not a driving job nor is there a company car.

Am I just a grumpy old man? Especially since I have only had one SP30 in the last 35 years - and that was in 1989!

[Dr Dave]

It wouldn't worry me....

[B005T3D-G]

Simple solution is to get the 2 part credit card license. As it is merely for Identification purposes you need only hand over the card for scanning/copying and therefore keep your driving history personal. (except in the case of car hire)

PITA i know but for the Paper Licence to be confirmed as legitimate identification all parts must be scanned as they are notoriously easy to forge and your driving history is used as a cross reference to prove its legitimacy.

The police in turn are not really interested in your history (that's the courts job), they are merely checking the presence of a valid licence.

[rogerxp]

I need to take a photocopy for anti-money laundering purposes (proof of name or address) but only the relevant section.

[B005T3D-G]

Secondary to my above. Changing your licence will remove the SP30 from your document as it is only required to be on your document for 3 years.

[kaishang]

It would bother me if I had a paper licence. I don't like giving out copies of any form of document or identification unless it is necessary. I've even not done or bought things because they wanted ID where there was no valid reason and no benefit or increase in security from showing ID.

[misterS3]

I read somewhere (mabye dvla site) the paper version is going in a few years.

But i sent my paper bit back with a change of address and had an expired speeding conviction removed.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by B005T3D-G

Secondary to my above. Changing your licence will remove the SP30 from your document as it is only required to be on your document for 3 years.

4 years for an sp30, from date of offence.

[Mart1000]

Remember that the 'new' style licence is only complete when both the card and the counterpart are together. Most place, not just old bill, will ask to see both parts of your licence. So it makes no odds really. It really wouldn't bother me. If it does ask them to blank out your convictions on the copier with a blank piece of a4...

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by B005T3D-G

Secondary to my above. Changing your licence will remove the SP30 from your document as it is only required to be on your document for 3 years.

It's 4 years. 3 years is the amount of time considered for totting up. 4 years is the amount of time it has to stay on your license (with the exception of drink driving which is longer)

Just to stir things up a bit, your driving license (and your passport as well for that matter) are subject to Crown Copyright.

So unless you have written permission in the form of a license from the Crown, it is illegal to make a copy of these documents FOR ANY REASON!

Of course nobody cares although I am sure they would be upset if you chose to pay for something with a copy of a £20 note you didn't have permission for

[COBRAEDWARDS]

call me tight (if you want)
why should i pay ,what is it now £35, to the government to get my paper license changed to a two piece credit card type.
which was issued to me, free in the first place.
i regret giving up my old red cardboard/passport type license
ps. which was also free....

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by COBRAEDWARDS

call me tight (if you want)
why should i pay ,what is it now £35, to the government to get my paper license changed to a two piece credit card type.

Because you will be driving illegally if you don't and besides, it's only going to cost you £35 because you refused to change your license to the new style before when it was a lot cheaper.

<stands back and waits for reaction>

[wayne71]

Originally Posted by m@rk

Because you will be driving illegally if you don't and besides, it's only going to cost you £35 because you refused to change your license to the new style before when it was a lot cheaper.

<stands back and waits for reaction>

It's another con, so is having to replace your 'new' driving license every 10 years.

[Mike in Hampshire]

Originally Posted by m@rk

Because you will be driving illegally if you don't

Are you sure? I thought that if you're an old git like me, with the old style paper version (one piece, no photo); then there's no need to do anything - unless your details change or it becomes unreadable, etc.

The new style ones, yes they need renewing every 10 years, like your passport does - but not the old stlye ones.

Or am I wrong on this?

Mike.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by wayne71

It's another con, so is having to replace your 'new' driving license every 10 years.

Can't understand why replacing a PHOTO driving licence after 10 years would be a con?

Just like a passport. People's faces change over time.

And the last comment about
Paper licences, I think your spot on. Your not illegal as yet.

[m@rk]

Originally Posted by Mike in Hampshire

Are you sure? I thought that if you're an old git like me, with the old style paper version (one piece, no photo); then there's no need to do anything - unless your details change or it becomes unreadable, etc.

The new style ones, yes they need renewing every 10 years, like your passport does - but not the old stlye ones.

Or am I wrong on this?

Mike.

Apparently the rules are changing later this year which means you will no longer have that choice.

[doughboy]

OP - Alan - I agree. No one should look at the convictions, they are private, and you are right even the Police aren't supposed to look. Anyone who does look or copy (who are these 'agencies'?) is out of order. Rentals fair enough, but who else wants it?

The licences (new and the old) came with a clear plastic folding wallet for your to fold and insert your licence, the idea is any 3rd party can open it like a book and see the ID bits, but the offences remain folded inside the licence as they are private and people should not read them without your permission.

The newer wallet has a slot for the card to go in too . I always keep mine together in it in the safe at home (as I never carry my licence with me, or any ID or documents, this is the UK not North Korea) You can tape the wallet closed so that anyone looking can't get it out to nosey at the other side.

Also rentals are denied for ANY type of ban in the last 3 to 5 years, I had a 14 day speeding ban in 2005, but was then unable to rent a car for 5 years (and couldn't have any garage courtesy cars either) Massive PITA for a weeks ban.

My licence is clean now, but that's not the point.

[wayne71]

Originally Posted by Mart1000

Can't understand why replacing a PHOTO driving licence after 10 years would be a con?

Just like a passport. People's faces change over time.

And the last comment about
Paper licences, I think your spot on. Your not illegal as yet.

It's a con because for the last few decades up to the present day we have all coped without the need for a PHOTO driving licence. Why do we actually need one?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by wayne71

It's a con because for the last few decades up to the present day we have all coped without the need for a PHOTO driving licence. Why do we actually need one?

To fall in line with our euro buddies, thats why! IIRC the card is your EURO licence.

But because of our stupid points system, that no one else uses, we have to have a additional piece of paper in the UK.

Just your card is fine eveywhere else, just in good old blighty the pen pushers have done it again.....

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by wayne71

It's a con because for the last few decades up to the present day we have all coped without the need for a PHOTO driving licence. Why do we actually need one?

Because if they didn't have your photo on then loads of people would be driving around using other peoples licences. No brainer. It's no problem is it? Don't need your driving licence to get shopping from Tesco last time I went.

[doughboy]

....add again, it was driven by EU requirement for a intra EU photo driving licence.

[Mart1000]

One day we'll just have a barcode on our foreheads. That'll save paperwork... lol