Should it stay or should it go?
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Since the introduction of photocard driving licences in 1998, provisional entitlement and endorsements have been shown on
a separate paper counterpart. But is a paper counterpart the best way to provide this information? If not, what is? These
are the questions the Agency is asking in a public consultation document entitled ‘The future of the counterpart to
the photocard driving licence’. Customers and major stakeholders’ views are being sought on several options. Organisations
such as the police, car hire companies, driving instructors associations, magistrates associations and the general
public have been asked for their comments and any suggestions they may have. The closing date for responses is 31 May 2004.
Before the introduction of photocard licences, the counterpart section was incorporated into the paper licence
document. The second European Community Directive required a photo of the licence holder be displayed thus the photocard
licence was introduced and since 2000 it’s the only licence DVLA issues. However, the new photocard licence did not have
provision for details of endorsements and provisional entitlement. After a public consultation a separate paper
counterpart was produced to accompany the photocard. This counterpart provides details of provisional entitlement and any
endorsement; and it must be produced, when ordered, to the police and courts. Failure to do so can result in lengthy and
expensive delays in the judicial process. Also, if you are unable to produce the counterpart, you can’t pay a fixed
penalty and you will find it difficult to hire a car.
The UK is alone in Europe in providing drivers details in this way. Although the paper counterpart provides essential
information, the fact that it’s a totally different size and format from the photocard makes it awkward to
carry with the licence. The consultation document gives several options as to how this information can be accessed.
Whatever the outcome of the consultation, the information held on the counterpart will still be available in some form to
those who need to see it.
Want to know more? You can have your say in the future of the counterpart. The consultation paper is available at
www.dvla.gov.uk.
Article by David Houston, taken from DVL Today - Issue 26 - Reproduced under Crown Copyright
Thu, 12 Aug 2004
