From 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA .
Share Driving Licence
Today the Share Driving Licence service moved from private to public beta. This new service allows GB driving licence holders to share their information held at DVLA with whoever they wish, putting users firmly in control. Although the Share Driving Licence service is available from today (Tuesday 19 May) you’ll need to keep hold of your paper counterpart as it remains valid until 8 June 2015.
This online alternative to the current driving licence paper counterpart has been several months in development. If you’ve followed our progress you’ll know that this service has been in private beta since the start of March and we’ve been collecting user feedback during this time to improve the service and user journey.
The new sharing feature has been built within the live View Driving Licence service on GOV.UK. Users can now generate a code to share with a third party. This code can be shared by email, text, face to face or over the phone. There’s also an option to print or save a summary of the driving licence information.
Check Driving Licence
If your organisation regularly checks the counterpart for entitlements or endorsements ‘Check driving Licence’ has been added to GOV.UK to allow you to check the licence using the code provided by the driver. With the driver’s consent you can view the details on a driving licence, for example the vehicle categories they are entitled to drive and any endorsement or penalty points, by using the code provided by the driver via our free Share Driving Licence service. This service also offers you the option to print or save a copy of the information.
This new service is offered in addition to existing services, and is designed for those who have a business need for real-time access to the information and would prefer not to call DVLA or use an intermediary.
Government Digital Service assessment
Throughout the development of this service we’ve been testing with selected users to ensure the journey is as simple as we can make it. Feedback has been very positive and we’ll continue to act on user comments and suggestions throughout the public beta phase.
Both Share Driving Licence and Check Driving Licence passed the Government Digital Service assessment on the 15 April to move to public beta meeting the 26 quality standards required to launch a digital service on GOV.UK.
Keeping up-to-date
For more information about changes to the counterpart driving licence go to www.gov.uk/dvla/nomorecounterpart
Further enquiries on abolition of the counterpart can be sent to abolitionofcounterpart@dvla.gsi.gov.uk. You can also leave a question via our comments facility below.
Please keep an eye on this blog and our Inside DVLA blog for further updates.
21 comments
Comment by NICK BUNDY posted on
I heard on a BBC programme a couple of weeks ago that this code is only valid for 72 hours - is this true?
Regards, Nick
Comment by Ryan Davies posted on
Hi Nick, Yes the check code is valid for 72 hours. We have a duty to protect personal information. Ensuring the check code is valid for 3 days protects the drivers privacy and puts drivers in control of which commercial companies they choose to share their driving licence details with. Thanks
Comment by Steve posted on
"Users can now generate a code to share with a third party" ... any details here?
Any restrictions on the life span of this code. one use only, timed, expires good until 2121? Details! just plain simple details.
PS. I DON'T want a video .. I want text, readable, printable, sendable plain old text! The deveil is in the detail!
Comment by Ryan Davies posted on
Hi Steve, you can now generate a check code from the Share Driving Licence service to provide electronic access to a summary of your current entitlements and endorsements. This one time use check code should be passed on to the third party to redeem within 72 hours. If it is not redeemed within 72 hours it will expire and the driver will need to generate a new code. Thanks
Comment by Martin Beattie posted on
Hi All,
I am just wondering why we are having a public Beta test open to all users with my personal data at risk. Surely we should be using an official software release with all possible vulnerabilities removed, for live highly personal data being made available to the public if they have the correct code.
Comment by Melinda Greenacre posted on
Hi Martin, the Share Driving Licence service is released in public beta for further enhancements to be made prior to going live. The 'beta' service relates to the user experience and features within the service. Third parties would not be able to access your driving licence information without you first generating and providing a check code to be redeemed. This ensures that you have full control over your own data and who views it. Thanks
Comment by Jeff posted on
As I understand it, it will no longer be possible for British licence holders to rent a vehicle overseas unless this code is obtained & the vehicle hired in advance. Not all of us take pre arranged package holidays. Can you imagine the cost of a mobile call back to the UK, put on hold for twenty minutes by the DVLA & then hope that the fax/e-mail systems are functioning. This is chaos just waiting to happen. My enquiries prove fruitless. If I decided off the cuff in week 2 of my foreign holiday to hire a vehicle how do I achieve this? Repeated answer from DVLA - 'obtain the code which is valid for 72hours!'
Comment by Melinda Greenacre posted on
Hi Jeff, there may not be a requirement to generate a code before travelling abroad as many hire companies abroad only request that the driver produce a valid photocard driving licence. The individual hire company will set out the requirements in its terms and conditions and the documents needed to hire a vehicle should be available on the company website. We advise that drivers check with the hire company when making enquiries.
Comment by Raphael posted on
Hello,
I would like to access this service as I'm renting a car this summer.
Unfortunately, I cannot access my records because I don't have a National Insurance Number.
What should I do then?
Comment by Melinda Greenacre posted on
If you don't have a NI number, you'll need to call our enquiry line on 0300 083 0013 where you'll be provided with a check code once you've passed data security checks. The opening hours for this telephone service are 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday.
Comment by phil watkinson posted on
How do I print a pdf copy of my licence information? I can't see any links to "print".
How long is a pdf copy valid.
I will be travelling to the USA in August. The first 4 days will be spent on a train travelling East to West. When I arrive in California and hire a car, it will be 10pm in the UK. What are my options if I need to provide a DVLA code ?
Comment by Melinda Greenacre posted on
Hi Phil, you can find out all the information you need in our step by step guide to sharing your driving licence. Thanks
Comment by Nathalie posted on
What about having a non-GB driving licence? Mine is French... Many thanks
Comment by Ryan Davies posted on
Hello Nathalie
We only hold driving licence information for licences issued in GB.
Thanks
Comment by Harry posted on
Just reading through some of the comment I have 2 questions:
Is the Plastic Driving License with photo ID still valid and still issued?
Can I logon to the DVLA website from abroad if I find I need a code to hire a car?
Comment by DVLA digital comms team posted on
Hello Harry
The photocard driving licence is still valid.
It’s the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence that isn’t valid and no longer 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.
Our free View Driving Licence service lets you see what details are on your licence, including what vehicles you can drive and any penalty points you may have.
If you’re asked to provide evidence of your driving record (entitlements and/or penalty points), you can do this online for free by accessing our Share Driving Licence service.
We’ve designed a step-by-step guide to help you share your driving licence information.
I can confirm that you can access the above services from abroad.
You should check with the hire company what they need to see when you hire a vehicle. If you’re asked for evidence of what vehicles you can drive or confirmation of any penalty points, you can request a unique code from GOV.UK which allows you to share your driving licence details or you can download a summary of your driving licence record. The code lasts for up to 72 hours and will allow the hire companies to make any necessary checks.
If you cannot generate a code online then you can call 0300 083 0013 and DVLA will provide you with a code.
Alternatively, you can call DVLA on 0300 790 6801 and leave permission for your driving record to be checked verbally by a nominated hire company. This also applies if you have a paper licence that was issued before 1998.
Not all vehicle hire companies will ask for this information and we advise that you check with your hire company.
Comment by Harry posted on
Thanks you. I can't see nay problems with the system and if it helps stop identity theft, then great.
Comment by J Houghton posted on
Driving instructor here, I've had my first pupils (starting lessons next week) whom I've asked to go through the share process. 2 days of texting back & forth with numbers & codes that were not accepted by DVSA licence checking page, culminating in pupils sending me actual screen prints to guarantee I was getting accurate share code & driver number which still don't work. Whats going on guys?
Comment by Melinda Greenacre posted on
Hi J Houghton
If your students have generated a code you should be able to view the information by redeeming the codes at check driving licence. The only thing that would stop you from doing this is if the students had either cancelled the code, redeemed it themselves or the 72 hours had lapsed.
Please see our step by step guides for sharing a driving licence and redeeming a code.
Comment by RB posted on
If I've viewed and printed the info after generating the code, this won't count as using and therefore invalidating the code, will it?
Comment by Melinda Greenacre posted on
Hello RB
If you’ve viewing the information from the link within Share Driver Licence (built within our View Driver Licence service on GOV.UK) then gone into Check Driving Licence and redeemed the code then yes you’ve invalidated the code. Check out the DVLA guide to use Share Driving Licence service’