DVLA Announce Counterpart Abolishment
From 8 June 2015, the photocard licence counterpart will not be valid and will no longer be issued by DVLA.
What this means for you
Photocard driving licence holders:
When DVLA stops issuing the counterpart, you should destroy yours but you still need to keep your current photocard driving licence.
Paper driving licence holders (those issued before 1998)
These will remain valid, and should not be destroyed. From 8 June 2015 endorsements/penalty points will no longer be recorded on these driving licences. This information will be held on DVLA’s driver record, and can be checked online, by phone or post.
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.
Organisations and businesses that check the driving licence counterpart
DVLA is developing new digital enquiry services 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.
These new services will be offered in addition to the existing services, but are 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 these services will only be made available to those who have a right to see it, and with the knowledge of the driving licence holder.
DVLA stakeholders and commercial customers can keep up to date with developments of these services through following our blog on GOV.UK.
Why is the counterpart being abolished?
The decision to abolish the counterpart was as a result of the government’s Red Tape Challenge consultation on road transportation. It also aligns to DVLA’s Strategic Plan which includes commitment to simplifying our services.
The counterpart (or D740) was introduced in 1998 as part of the photocard driving licence to display information that could not be included on the photocard. This includes provisional driving entitlement categories and current endorsements/penalty points.