As you all probably know, June 8th sees the end of the paper counterpart of our UK driving licenses.

 

In itself, I believe that this is a good thing and long overdue but unfortunately, it carries a sting in the tail because they haven't thought it through to its logical conclusion :(

 

If you want to hire a car, either here or elsewhere in the world, you are required to prove that you are authorised to drive such a vehicle and that you are not disqualified.

 

The only way to do that, from now on, is to use this web-site:-

 

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

 

The malarky for setting up a secret code to share your details with somebody who needs to know seems almost bound to fall flat on its face.

 

Have a look at the web-site and see what you think?

What I think in two words "Not Much".

 

I fail to see what was wrong with the paper counterpart.

 

It seems to be bureaucracy for the sake of bureaucracy.

 

Peter.

You would find it hard to credit the number of times I've sat in Court, with a defendant charged with motoring offences and they haven't got their paper counterpart with them Peter.

 

Of course, what they SHOULD do, in my view, is to issue smart licences where the required information can be encoded in an integral chip. Ah well, maybe in 100 years or so ;)

My opinion, too, Paul.

 

But, as you , in time it will happen.

 

As an aside, I got a Birthday card "Happy Birthday, Rumpole"

 

Peter.

Rumpole?

Hi Paul,

 

For some time my knowledge of Employment Law saw me as an Advocate representing people at Employment Tribunals, and my style of questioning got me the soubriquet after "Rumple of the Bailey" played by Leo McKern.

 

Peter.

I knew John Mortimer's immortal character, of course Peter. Now I know the link to you :)

Hi Paul,

 

For some time my knowledge of Employment Law saw me as an Advocate representing people at Employment Tribunals, and my style of questioning got me the soubriquet after "Rumple of the Bailey" played by Leo McKern.

 

Peter.

Did you ever come across Baryl Farrow in your tribunals Peter?

Hi Paul,

 

The name does not ring a bell, I'm afraid.

 

When I was 56 I became a Member of Tribunals [now called Assistant Judge]  and retired at the compulsory age of 70.

 

Regards,

 

Peter.

Just to add to the information about driving licences, if you drive abroad with your own car you do need to carry your paper licence, however, as far as i aware, you also do need to download the information relating to your licence to include endorsements etc.