Don't be Left Stranded by the New Car Hire Law

kwmlondon

I think that most people are aware of the demise of the paper part of the driving license, yes? Well, it's going to be very complicated for people taking a rental car as this has been how the people at the desk check to see how many points you have. Now you need to get a code from the DVLA less than 72 hours before you pick up the car. The code is single-use and phone lines cost 51p a minute - seriously, do your homework before you get your car or it could be very, very expensive.

http://www.carrentals.co.uk/compare/Dont-be-Left-Stranded-by-the-New-Car-Hire-Law.html?e=CR20150421&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CR20150421&utm_term=Carrentals%20Master

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/driving-licence-changes

Gloomendoom

Thanks for posting.

Where do you get the code from?

poppasmurf_bewdley

Maybe it's a stupid question but why cannot the information be accessed directly from the internet whilst the driver is present, without the need for an access code?

I've just checked mine and all it needs is my licence number, NI code and postcode. It's not as if the information is secret.

peachyprice

Even without an access code the car hire company can still make a quick call to DVLA, I've seen it done many times, without the customer being charged.

And even if your access code expires because your flight takes more than 3 days you can still get another one straight away.

It's just the usual scaremongering over something new.

AdrianC

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Maybe it's a stupid question but why cannot the information be accessed directly from the internet whilst the driver is present, without the need for an access code?

I've just checked mine and all it needs is my licence number, NI code and postcode. It's not as if the information is secret.

And that last bit is the key. Some people think that those details are some kind of closely-guarded secret, forgetting that a lot of organisations with which they do business will already have them.

Interesting, also, that the article links to https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence to "get this access code". Yet that page makes no mention of any such code. The other page linked to does, but says this isn't available yet. Even that says it'll be in addition to current services, and hire firms have always had the ability to check with DVLA over the phone, with your OK.

Mountain. Mole hill.

colino

Proper hire car companies have either checked licence details with DVLA as a matter of course, or because you have failed the attitude test, for years. They are now rolling out a new, "service", which in the case of every ICT programme for any government agency, is late, too expensive and slow. All because Maggie Thatcher didn't get her way with compulsory citizens ID cards.

poppasmurf_bewdley

colino wrote: »

Proper hire car companies have either checked licence details with DVLA as a matter of course, or because you have failed the attitude test, for years. They are now rolling out a new, "service", which in the case of every ICT programme for any government agency, is late, too expensive and slow. All because Maggie Thatcher didn't get her way with compulsory citizens ID cards.

Errr .... You mean Tony Blair/Gordon Brown. The coalition government got rid of ID cards in this country in 2011.

https://www.gov.uk/identitycards

AdrianC

colino wrote: »

Proper hire car companies have either checked licence details with DVLA as a matter of course, or because you have failed the attitude test, for years. They are now rolling out a new, "service", which in the case of every ICT programme for any government agency, is late, too expensive and slow. All because Maggie Thatcher didn't get her way with compulsory citizens ID cards.

That's a heck of a conspiracy theory tailored to preferred conclusions, Colin.

As Poppa Smurf says, ID cards were almost entirely the Blair/Brown gov'ts pigeon. The last knockings of the Major gov't first mooted them (and Blair shot the idea down...), but it was only after the 1997 election that the idea really gained traction.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_Cards_Act_2006

B'sides, the "Red Tape Challenge" that's resulting in the (long overdue) binning of the ridiculous paper counterpart is something that was only started after the 2010 election. In Gov't terms, getting something from idea to completion almost entirely within the life of a parliament is bloody good going - probably because the IT requirements of the changes are absolutely minimal.

colino

Tell you what, you keep on googling and I'll keep on taking the fees from, amongst many, aborted political dreams that came to nothing.

Mercdriver

I've never been asked for the paper counterpart when hiring a car abroad. Wasn't asked for it (did have it with me) on two occasions when I hired in NZ last year. Will be in Australia and NZ for 6 days before I hire a car on this occasion in May, and very much doubt that I will be asked for it then either.

iainscomputer

Ive never been asked for the paper counterpart & I've hired cars all over the world, well everywhere except the UK. I guess it will just be UK hirers that do this, do they check overseas citizens licenses foe endorsements before a hire commences?