Friday 15 May 2015
Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press:
Could the department please answer questions about the changes to the driving licence. A report in the UK highlighted how changes there could affect people hiring cars abroad - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32481382
Will Guernsey be altering its driving licence so the current paper form becomes digital? If so, when will this come into effect? If not, why not? Will the cost of driving licences increase if this system is adopted, if so, by how much?
If the system does change, will it follow the UK model entirely and have to issue a new code every 72 hours - if so, why is the code not valid for longer?
If the system does not change, will Guernsey residents encounter any problems hiring cars abroad following the changes in the UK? If so, what should Guernsey residents do?
Environment Department Response:
The Department has considered doing this over the last 2-3 years but it is not currently a priority project for us to take forward. Nevertheless, it does remain a long term objective.
It is too early to say whether the system will be identical to the UK's. The Department will be liaising with the main hire car companies in order to discuss their continuing acceptance of the Guernsey paper counterpart.
Contact Information:
Karl Guille, Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 243400