Alexei Volkov
In the United Kingdom, driving licences were replaced by plastic photocard licences and a paper counterpart in 1998. This was a result of an EU directive requiring all member states to issue driving licences in a card format that contains the holder's image and signature. The new plastic photocard licences have to be renewed every ten years, for a fee. The paper counterpart was eventually replaced by an online service in 2015.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of introduction of plastic driving licences | 1998 |
| Issuing authority | Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) |
| Previous format | Paper licence |
| Current format | Plastic photocard and paper counterpart |
| Frequency of renewal | Every 10 years |
| Fee for renewal | £20 |
| Delivery time | 3-4 weeks |
| Validity of old-style paper licences | Varies, some still valid as of August 2022 |
| Expiry of old-style paper licences | 70th birthday or change of address |
| Expiry of new-style plastic licences | 10 years after issue |
| Fee for swapping a paper licence for a plastic one | £20 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic photocard licences were introduced in the UK in 1998
In the UK, a driving licence is the official document that authorises its holder to drive motor vehicles on public roads. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) administers this in England, Scotland, and Wales, while Northern Ireland is administered by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).
In 1998, the DVLA replaced the old-style paper licence with a plastic photocard and a paper counterpart. The photocard licences were introduced as a result of an EU directive requiring all member states to issue driving licences in a card format containing the holder's image and signature. The new plastic photocard driving licences have to be renewed every ten years, for a fee. The paper counterpart was used to tally up the number of licence points accumulated and record any endorsements (penalties or convictions).
However, in 2015, the paper counterpart was replaced by an online service, and paper counterparts were no longer issued. This change did not affect licences from the DVA in Northern Ireland, which still consist of a photocard and paper part. The new photocard licence has a black-and-white photo, produced using laser technology, which is more secure.
By 2033, all driving licences in the UK must be plastic.
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Old-style paper licences are still valid in some cases
In the United Kingdom, a driving licence is the official document that authorises its holder to operate motor vehicles on highways and other public roads. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) administers the licensing system in England, Scotland and Wales, while the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) handles it in Northern Ireland.
The history of the driving licence in the UK dates back to the early 20th century. In 1904, mandatory licensing was introduced, and until 1974, local authorities issued driving licences that needed renewal every three years. In 1968, the system was computerised, linking it to the Police National Computer. This extended the validity of the licence to the driver's 70th birthday, with extensions possible if the driver could prove fitness.
In 1998, the DVLA replaced the old-style paper licences with plastic photocard licences. The new licences had to be renewed every ten years, and until 2015, they were accompanied by a paper counterpart that detailed the driver's entitlements and endorsements. Despite this change, old-style paper licences issued before March 2000 may still be valid, provided that all the information on them remains accurate and up-to-date. This includes changes in address and name, which can affect the validity of the licence.
While paper licences are generally valid until the driver turns 70, there are situations where a swap to a photocard licence may be necessary. This includes instances where the paper licence has been defaced, lost, or stolen, or when the driver needs to update their photo, address, or name. The swap can be done through a government website service for a fee of £20, and the new licence typically arrives within three to four weeks. It is worth noting that drivers are allowed to drive while their paper licence is being swapped for a photocard, as long as they are medically and legally cleared to drive and their application is not more than a year old.
In 2015, changes were made to the licensing system in Britain, abolishing the paper counterpart to the photocard licence. This meant that details of offences and endorsements would be held electronically and could be viewed through the DVLA's View Driving Licence service. However, these changes did not apply to Northern Ireland, where the paper counterpart remains an important part of the licence.
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Plastic licences must be renewed every 10 years
In the United Kingdom, driving licences were replaced by plastic photocard licences and a paper counterpart in 1998. The plastic photocard licences have to be renewed every 10 years for a fee. The paper counterpart was replaced by an online service in 2015, and they are no longer issued. The plastic photocard licence has a black and white photo, with the laser technology used to produce the image being more secure. The date the photocard was issued is shown in field 4a, and the date the licence expires is shown in field 4b.
The plastic photocard licence was introduced as a result of an EU directive requiring all member states to issue driving licences in a card format that contains the licence holder's image and signature. This format is compliant with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and is therefore acceptable in all signatory states and countries. The benefits of the photocard licence include the freedom to move around many European countries, a more secure format, and the ability to ensure that the person getting a provisional licence, taking the test, and getting a full driving licence is one and the same.
The old-style paper licences are still valid and will be updated gradually as they are renewed and replaced. However, all driving licences must be plastic by 2033. If a licence needs to be replaced before then due to being lost, stolen, or defaced, or because of a change in the photo, address, or name, this can be done through a service on the government website for a fee. Provided the driver is medically and legally cleared to drive, and their application is not more than a year old, they are allowed to drive while swapping their paper licence for a photocard.
In Northern Ireland, licences are still made up of a plastic photocard and a paper part, known as the paper counterpart. Each Northern Ireland licence holder is assigned a unique 8-digit driving licence number.
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Plastic licences are more secure and reduce misrepresentation
In the United Kingdom, driving licences were replaced by plastic photocard licences and a paper counterpart in 1998. This was a result of an EU directive requiring all member states to issue driving licences in a card format that contains the holder's image and signature.
Plastic photocard licences are more secure and help to reduce misrepresentation. The laser technology used to burn the image onto the card produces a black-and-white photo, which is more secure. The process involves digitally reproducing and burning the signature from the application form, ensuring the permanent address is accurate. The plastic photocard also contains the holder's name, date and place of birth, and licence categories. This format makes it more difficult for someone to misrepresent themselves as the licence holder.
The plastic photocard is also more durable than the old-style paper licence. It is less likely to become defaced or damaged, reducing the need for costly replacements. The plastic format is also more convenient and easier to carry than the previous paper format, which may have been a larger document.
The introduction of the plastic photocard licence was part of the computerisation of the licensing system, linking it to the Police National Computer. This allowed for the extension of the licence's validity up to the driver's 70th birthday, with extensions possible thereafter if the driver can prove fitness. The computerisation of records also means that details of endorsements and offences are held electronically, further securing the driver's information and reducing the opportunity for misrepresentation.
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Plastic licences are compliant with the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, agreed upon in 1968, is an international treaty that aims to facilitate international road traffic and enhance road safety. It establishes a set of standardised traffic rules and guidelines for contracting parties to follow.
Plastic driving licences were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1998, replacing the previous paper-based system. These plastic photocard driving licences feature the bearer's photograph and must be renewed every ten years. The UK's plastic driving licences adhere to the standards set by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
For instance, the current Russian driving licence style, introduced in 2011, is a laminated plastic card that complies with the Vienna Convention. It is similar in dimensions and appearance to the European driving licence, featuring the holder's photo, name, place and date of issue, allowed categories, and signature. This style of licence is recognised and valid in all signatory states and countries of the Vienna Convention.
Plastic licences are durable, convenient, and compliant with the Vienna Convention's goal of establishing uniform standards for driving permits. The convention's guidelines ensure that driving licences are consistently designed, recognised, and accepted across multiple jurisdictions, promoting smoother international road traffic and enhancing road safety.
The adoption of plastic driving licences by various countries demonstrates their commitment to adhering to international standards and facilitating seamless road travel for their citizens. The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic provides a framework that helps ensure the interoperability of driving permits across borders.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic photocard driving licences were introduced in 1998, replacing the old-style paper licences.
The 2015 changes to the licensing system in Britain did not affect Northern Ireland. Driving licences in Northern Ireland are still made up of a photocard and a paper counterpart.
All driving licences must be plastic by 2033.
