The driving licence is facing a major overhaul after the European Commission paved the way for it to be based on smart card technology.
The EC has agreed a set of standards allowing an array of personal data, including the licence holder’s photo, any endorsements and iris and fingerprint biometrics, to be stored on a new chipped card.
The UK Government has already signalled its intention to bin the paper counterpart of the licence from 2015, while a driver’s address will no longer appear on the existing photocard from 2013/14.
A DVLA spokesman said: “This will mean that a driver will no longer have to return the driving licence to the DVLA when they change address or receive points.”
However, it also has implications for dealers if their current licence checking policy requires drivers to bring in the paper counterpart to be checked for endorsements.
For more on this issue see AM's sister brand Fleet News http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2012/6/25/ec-opens-door-to-smart-card-licences/43887/
Philip Price - 08/02/2013 12:00
I was advised by dvla that it is only the paper part of the photo licence that is going to be phased out.I have the old type of paper licence and that this will not be affected by the change in 2015.This is because the old paper runs till the person is 70 years old and by the year 2033 all the drivers with this type of licence will have reached that age.