The majority of motorists are against the Government’s decision to scrap the paper-based driving counterpart licence, according to a new poll by Motorpoint.

An online survey by the UK car supermarket found 53.1% of people quizzed didn’t want to see the paper-based counterpart driving licence replaced by an online service, which came into effect this week.

Just under 1,000 people took part in the snap poll on the Motorpoint website.

The paper-based counterpart driving licence showing a driver’s record, including offences and endorsements, has been replaced by an online service in a bid to save motorists millions of pounds.

Last year over 445,000 paper-based driving counterpart licences were lost for which motorists were charged £20 each to cover the cost of replacement.

Managing director of Motorpoint Mark Carpenter (pictured) said: “Although the changes announced by the Government have caused some initial confusion over the medium to long term the new system once it has settled down should prove to be more efficient as well as cost effective for drivers.”  

Any paper based driving licence issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 remains valid.