UK Rental Companies Plan for Abolition of Paper License

Vehicle rental companies are introducing a range of simple procedures to help their customers in the UK and abroad deal with the abolition of the driver’s license paper counterpart on June 8, according to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).

The BVRLA says that car rental operators are taking a range of approaches to the scheme, which include:
•    Asking customers to provide a printout of their license information, available via the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) View Driving License service
•    Asking customers to provide a code allowing the rental company to view their license information via the DVLA’s Share Driving License service (code only usable if obtained less than 72 hours prior to the rental pick up time)
•    Asking customers to present their photo-card driving license or the ‘old-style’ paper driving license (issued up to 1998)
•    Asking customers to present their photo-card driving license or ‘old-style’ paper driving license together with a second form of ID, such as a passport
•    Asking customers to present their photo-card driving license or the ‘old-style’ paper driving license and sign a self-declaration confirming any endorsements

This advice from the BVRLA comes as the DVLA announces the public launch of Share Driving License service, which is still being tested by a number of car rental companies.

“Despite the tight deadline set by the DVLA, rental companies will have a range of simple solutions in place to deal with the abolition of the paper counterpart on 8 June,” said BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney.

“Our members are already making the changes to their websites and booking systems, and are communicating these to their customers.

“Customers concerned that they haven’t heard anything — perhaps because they have booked via a rental broker or other intermediary — should contact their rental car provider directly for advice,” Keaney says.