DVLA extends car hire planning time
Travellers needing to hire a car abroad will now have three weeks to share extra driving licence details with hire companies instead of three days, the BBC reports.
The new system that was implemented 8 June 2015, requires motorists to access the DVLA website to generate a check code that allows companies to see whether a driver has penalty points, after the paper counterpart licence that carries such details was computerised.
The DVLA initially allowed the code to stay ‘live’ for just 72 hours, however the checking period has now been extended to 21 days.
The government responded after car hire companies complained of queues and drivers complained they may not have internet access while abroad to generate a new code.
The DVLA said that for those who do not have internet access, a phone number would also be made available – although this is not a 24-hour number.
Motoring organisations were also concerned that many drivers and car hire companies were unaware of the new system, and those that were found it tricky to use. The DVLA has said that using the system is not complicated.
‘It’s very easy to view and share your driving record. Just go to gov.uk and search for ‘view driving licence’,’ said Oliver Morley, the DVLA’s chief executive.
As a result of the abolition of the paper counterpart, all evidence of driving endorsements and convictions will be held online only.
The eight million or so old-style paper licences, which carry endorsements on them – will remain valid.
