In 2015, DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence.
What this means for you
You do not need to take any action, just keep your current photocard driving licence.
If you have an old style paper driving licence issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998, this change won’t affect you, and you should keep your licence.
The next time you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.
Entitlements, penalty points and the status of your driving licence won’t change.
What to do with your paper counterpartWhen DVLA stops issuing the counterpart of the driving licence, those drivers who already have a counterpart may destroy it.
You’ll still be able to use the counterpart driving licence to change your address with DVLA. You can also change your address online.
Book Your Driving Test online
Organisations and businesses that check the driving licence counterpartDVLA is developing a new digital enquiry service for launch later this year that will allow organisations and businesses (such as employers and car hire companies) to view information they can currently see on the driving licence counterpart.
This new service will be offered in addition to the existing services, but is designed for those who have a business need for real-time access to the information and may not wish to call DVLA or be in a position to use an intermediary.
Driving licence information via this service will only be made available to those who have a right to see it, and with the knowledge of the driving licence holder.
NewsletterStakeholders and commercial customers can find further information about the abolition of the counterpart in our newsletters.
Book Theory & Practical Driving Test Now >
You do not need to take any action, just keep your current photocard driving licence.
If you have an old style paper driving licence issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998, this change won’t affect you, and you should keep your licence.
The next time you need to update your name, address or renew your licence, you will be issued with a photocard only.
Entitlements, penalty points and the status of your driving licence won’t change.
What to do with your paper counterpartWhen DVLA stops issuing the counterpart of the driving licence, those drivers who already have a counterpart may destroy it.
You’ll still be able to use the counterpart driving licence to change your address with DVLA. You can also change your address online.
Book Your Driving Test online
Organisations and businesses that check the driving licence counterpartDVLA is developing a new digital enquiry service for launch later this year that will allow organisations and businesses (such as employers and car hire companies) to view information they can currently see on the driving licence counterpart.
This new service will be offered in addition to the existing services, but is designed for those who have a business need for real-time access to the information and may not wish to call DVLA or be in a position to use an intermediary.
Driving licence information via this service will only be made available to those who have a right to see it, and with the knowledge of the driving licence holder.
NewsletterStakeholders and commercial customers can find further information about the abolition of the counterpart in our newsletters.
Book Theory & Practical Driving Test Now >
