Tuesday 09 June 2015
Changes to the UK driving licence format came into effect on 8 June 2015 and may affect local motorists when travelling abroad and seeking to hire a car.
The UK has now abolished the paper section of their previously two-part licence, leaving just the plastic photo card as the only valid licence document. Accordingly, a new system (called 'Share Driving Licence' service) has been created in the UK to allow motorists to give third parties, such as hire car companies, a seventy-two hour access code to view an online record of their motoring convictions.
Guernsey's current paper and plastic photo licence has not changed and is separate from the UK licence. However, hire car companies may get confused and ask motorists for access to the Guernsey system to check for motoring convictions. In such cases, motorists should advise hire car companies that Guernsey retains the two-part licence and that any convictions are detailed on the paper counterpart. Accordingly, it is important to ensure that Guernsey motorists take both their plastic card and paper counterpart when travelling abroad.
Guernsey licenced motorists who try to hire a vehicle overseas without both parts of their Guernsey licence are likely to be refused.
Local and UK car hire businesses have been informed of the latest position in relation to UK and Guernsey licences respectively. An explanatory letter has also been produced explaining the situation in Guernsey and this can be downloaded from the States of Guernsey website at http://gov.gg/DrivingLicences
Contact Information:
Karl Guille
Traffic and Transport Services Manager
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 243400
