On holiday with no driving licence...

MrChips

Hello - possibly a stupid question coming up...
I'm on holiday in Rhodes with my family.  We're staying in a resort hotel but are considering hiring a car to explore the island a bit while we are here.  It dawned on me today that I didn't bring my driving licence with me and I'm wondering if that means hiring a car is going to be impossible?
I passed my test in 1997 so only have a paper licence and have never had a photocard licence - in general I never take the licence with me anywhere and it just sits in a drawer at home with passports and other important documents.  I know my licence number and I've managed to generate the "check code" through the DVLA website which would enable any car hire firm to check all my details and (lack of) endorsements.  But will they still refuse to let us hire a car without a physical copy of the licence?  I could ask my parents to pop by the house and send us a picture of the licence if that might make any difference.

jackieblack

I’ve always needed to produce my licence whenever I’ve hired a car.
 I can’t imagine you’d be able to without, I know a couple of people who’ve been refused a pre-booked (and paid for) hire car because they’d forgotten their licences, but ultimately only the car hire place will be able to confirm for sure.

TELLIT01

Highly unlikely that you will be able to hire a car without providing a driving licence.  The hirer will want to see proof that you are qualified to drive.

TonyMMM

Greece, like many Euro countries, also requires you to carry your licence with you at all times whilst driving, and produce it on request.

Use a taxi ...may be cheaper anyway,.

MrChips

TELLIT01 said:

Highly unlikely that you will be able to hire a car without providing a driving licence.  The hirer will want to see proof that you are qualified to drive.

I have the pdf document that was generated with my check code from DVLA.  I don't think there's any info on the driving licence that isn't shown on there - name, licence number, vehicles I am qualified to drive, endorsements, licence validity period.
So I can prove I have a licence and what info it contains, and given I don't have photocard licence I'm not honestly sure what the difference is!

Westin

MrChips said:

TELLIT01 said:

Highly unlikely that you will be able to hire a car without providing a driving licence.  The hirer will want to see proof that you are qualified to drive.

I have the pdf document that was generated with my check code from DVLA.  I don't think there's any info on the driving licence that isn't shown on there - name, licence number, vehicles I am qualified to drive, endorsements, licence validity period.
So I can prove I have a licence and what info it contains, and given I don't have photocard licence I'm not honestly sure what the difference is!

I think people have answered and given their views on the situation.

If you remain unconvinced then surely asking the car rental firm in Rhodes that you plan to use will give you the final answer.

DCFC79

MrChips said:

TELLIT01 said:

Highly unlikely that you will be able to hire a car without providing a driving licence.  The hirer will want to see proof that you are qualified to drive.

I have the pdf document that was generated with my check code from DVLA.  I don't think there's any info on the driving licence that isn't shown on there - name, licence number, vehicles I am qualified to drive, endorsements, licence validity period.
So I can prove I have a licence and what info it contains, and given I don't have photocard licence I'm not honestly sure what the difference is!

I suspect the hire firm will want to see the actual licence but as mentioned go into 1 and ask if they need to see your licence.

Just because you can remember the licence doesnt mean the licence could be fake, same with the photo of a licence as it could be doctored.

MrChips

It's confirmed - no licence = no car (in Greece anyway!).  Thanks for all responses

melb

when we were in Spain a few years ago, we contacted DVLA who faxed a copy of my driving licence.  Maybe times have changed since then and it also wouldn't help you in terms of having it on your possession I suppose.