Driving Licemce: Paper or Plastic?

Stephen_Leak

What are the advantages (if any) to me of replacing my 30 year old paper driving licence with one of the new plastic credit card ones?

scbk

It's handier for showing your i.d. at the roadside, may save you getting a producer. But if I were you I wouldn't bother.

dzug

It may save you getting an international licence in the odd country overseas that requires a photo licence - I can't actually name any off hand though.

You can fly Ryanair domestically without a passport.

eerm sounds like none.

anewman

Fits in your wallet as a credit card (among the 100 store cards, and the odd credit card and bank card etc).

moonrakerz

Don't forget that if you have a new plastic one, you still have a large piece of paper that goes with it (as big as the old paper licence) that you are asked for by the police, car hire companies, etc ,etc ...... progress ?

anewman

moonrakerz wrote: »

Don't forget that if you have a new plastic one, you still have a large piece of paper that goes with it (as big as the old paper licence) that you are asked for by the police, car hire companies, etc ,etc ...... progress ?

I think the only reason for this is that it details any convictions etc, so if it said drink driving a hire company might not be rushing to get your business.

iolanthe07

My mate couldn't hire a car in California without a photo driving licence - may be true of other US states and other countries.

Lord_Lardington

Moonrakerz has touched a real nerve with me. Going plastic would have been a great idea if they'd actually done away with the paper portion. Keeping it was just ridiculous. Grrrr.

It's nearly as stupid as the new postal sizes/weights thing ... but don't get me started.

Rikki

If you don't need or use it for photo ID personally I wouldn't bother.

Plastic licences have to be replaced every 10 years and you have to pay..

Stephen_Leak

An additional factor: I have moved in the meantime (it was issued in 1977!) and I will probably be moving again in the near future. Is there any legal requirement to advise such changes (or, more importantly, any comeback if you don't)?

basill

The DVLA say "you must" have the correct address on your license so it probably is an offence. Nothing on there about penalties but it might get awkward if you got caught speeding or had an accident though.

B