Paper Driving Licence

[davidanthony]

Is it still legal to use the green paper driving licence which still has some years of validity. ?

[Baldric]

https://insidedvla.blog.gov.uk/2015/01/08/no-more-counterpart-date-confirmed-for-abolition/

So no it isn't.

[tonyav]

Have a look at this, davidanthony.

A. The trouble you have encountered while trying to use your paper driving licences as ID may have arisen because the paper counterpart to all photocard driving licences was abolished early last month (except in Northern Ireland). But drivers with old-style paper licences — of whom there are more than 7m — can continue to use them and will not have to change to a photocard unless their details change or the licence expires, which is usually the day before the holder’s 70th birthday.

https://www.driving.co.uk/car-clinic/are-old-style-paper-driving-licences-become-no-longer-legal/

[sunny-dave]

Baldric is wrong - if it is an old 'green' (or pink) licence issued before 1998 then it is still valid and must not be destroyed.

Only the 'counterpart' licence (whisch was used with a photo card) has been abolished.

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"Paper driving licences issued before 1998 are still valid. Do not destroy your licence.

When you update your name or address, or renew your licence, you’ll only get a photocard licence"

Source:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes

If you reach your 70th birthday (at which stage your driving licence has to be renewed every three years), your new licence will be of the photocard type.

Other than that, the only circumstances where you have to get a photocard licence are those listed here:
https://www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence

[Baldric]

The Green Paper Licence was the Counterpart and is no longer valid, and that is what the OPer is asking about,
but do agree with you on the Pink Licence.

[sunny-dave]

Licences were green before they were pink - and those are still valid.

[Buenchico]

Yes, it might help to know exactly what the questioner is referring to, Balders!

The only paper licences which are around are those issued before 1998. If Davidanthony is referring to the paper counterpart which used to accompany a photocard style licence then the answer is that they now have no validity whatsoever.

[Baldric]

///Is it still legal to use the green paper driving licence///

I thought his question was reasonably clear Chris tbh.

[sunny-dave]

Yes it was - and you gave an incorrect answer, baldric.

The counterpart has no expiry date and therefore could not be what was being referred to - he meant an old pre-1998 green licence - which is still valid.

[Buenchico]

My driving licence is pink AND green but they used to be entirely green:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/05/article-2304490-191AEE97000005DC-915_634x905.jpg

[sunny-dave]

I've got a full set, Chris - never quite remembered to surrender tham when they needed renewing - green/green&pink/pink/photocard and a redundant counterpart for good measure ...

[New Judge]

I must say I thought the question referred to the old style paper licences (the ones issued before the plastic photocard variety were introduced). These are still valid until they expire (normally the holder's 70th birthday) but if you had to exchange it for any reason (change of address, for example) you would now get the plastic variety with no paper counterpart. When offences have been committed driving licences are no longer physically "endorsed". (with the plastic only ones there is nowhere to endorse them). Drivers' records are now held electronically. If you want to hire a car you have to obtain a code from the DVLA to enable the hire company to access your driving record. There was a cock-up when this system was intrroduced as the code only lasted, I think, three days and some people wanted to hire a car later into their trip than this. I think they last seven days now. Holders of the old "paper only" licences (including me) do not have to do this as their driving record is recorded on their licence. If they commit any offences they have to submit their licence to the DVLA and it will be exchanged for a new photocard type.

[Buenchico]

>>> If you want to hire a car you have to obtain a code from the DVLA to enable the hire company to access your driving record

That, of course, assumes that the rental company is actually interested in the number of points on your licence. From various posts on here, and from my own experience, they never seem to be bothered about it.

In practice, it's far more likely to be potential (and existing) employers who're interested in the number of points an applicant/employee has on their licence.

[maggiebee]

I used my old green paper driving licence up until December last year when I turned 70. Have a new plastic one with photograph now.

[ummmm]

I've hired cars with no driving licence to show. I've just took along my valid ID and the address it was registered to. Never had a problem.

I have replaced my lost licence with a photo one now and I know where it is :-)

[davidanthony]

Many thanks guys and gals. The answer is obvious. The old GREEN one ( I don't have a pink one) is stil valid until other conditions, change of address etc or turning 70 occur
Many thank