Legality of UK Old paper licence (non photo) in France ,Italy and Spain (1 Viewer)

[pelican]

Hi, I don't if anyone can help with this as I have been told that a new photo style license is required in the above countries and that if you present the old type of license you can be immediately stopped from proceeding
I have looked at the UK gov websites and it is not clear to me if this is correct.
Help would be appreciated.

 

[Riverbankannie]

I only have the old paper licence and although I have not been required to show it, I have used it to hire cars without question.
This is gov website, the paper licence is a valid licence.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad

 

[pelican]

Thank you for the reply.
Unfortunately it is not clear if they mean the licence with the photo or the old style
I tried phoning but cannot get further than press this or that button

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[Lenny HB]

You are OK with either the Pink or the Pink & Green ones that have EU on them. The original green ones may cause you a problem in some countries.

 

[Glandwr]

I only have the old paper licence and although I have not been required to show it, I have used it to hire cars without question.
This is gov website, the paper licence is a valid licence.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad

I can confirm this too

 

[nobby]

I used my paper one that I’ve had since the early 90s to hire a car last summer

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[WSandME]

I understood that the requirement was to be in possession of acceptable photo identification to support a non-photo licence. I have a photo licence, but my wife never bothered to update - however, as she will always be carrying a passport while we are travelling abroad, I think she's covered.

 

[buttons]

If you also have your passport with you there shouldn't be a problem. I have hired cars on the continent recently without so much as a question.

 

[mikebeaches]

I only have the old paper licence and although I have not been required to show it, I have used it to hire cars without question.
This is gov website, the paper licence is a valid licence.
https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad

Exactly the same for us. We have the old pink paper licences, without photos. Not been stopped on the road, but hired up to half a dozen cars a year on the continent. No problems.

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[pelican]

Hi
Thank you all for your input.
We won't be hiring cars just using the van.
I have taken a closer look at our licences and they state UK driving licence European Communities Model
Anyone know if this is OK
so frustrating not being able to speak to DVLC

 

[Minxy]

Hi
Thank you all for your input.
We won't be hiring cars just using the van.
I have taken a closer look at our licences and they state UK driving licence European Communities Model
Anyone know if this is OK
so frustrating not being able to speak to DVLC

No problem with the pink paper licences - we have them as we've not moved since the new ones came out and had no reason to get them for anything else. We've been stopped at border etc crossings abroad and had out papers checked and never had any problems with them at all.

 

[pappajohn]

I tried phoning but cannot get further than press this or that button

You MAY find by not pressing any number you automatically get put through to a switchboard.
I've done this a few times with different organisations.

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[Alex Black]

I had a small accident last year in Spain and my paper item was sufficient to satisfy the traffic cops who delt with the 'bump' ... ;-( I managed to rip the bumper off a parked car by totally forgetting about the 'tail swing' It was my scooter rack, which is almost the same width as the van, that did the damage.. No problem with the van.. Heh.. Onwards and upwards... Just before I lost my wallet... Paper was fine it that case. Feb 2017... The cops were brand new I have to say.

 

[PeteH]

You MAY find by not pressing any number you automatically get put through to a switchboard.
I've done this a few times with different organisations.

Or holding "9" down for several seconds,? I've done that and the "voice" comes back and says "hold for our next operator"

 

[nicholsong]

You are OK with either the Pink or the Pink & Green ones that have EU on them. The original green ones may cause you a problem in some countries.

I have one which is pink and geen but its title is

Counterpart Driving Licence

And underneath that heading in small print is written

'The photocard and countrpart should be kept togetheer. Both must be produced when required'

I know that it is no longer required to keep the Counterpart paper licence, but I doubt whether it would suffice on its own with that wording.

So I wonder whether those saying a paper licence is OK are writing about what I have described.

My application for licence renewal is currently in the DVLA and I was reluctant to return the old licence as the MH is on the continent and they said OK just write a covering letter to explain why you are not returning the old licence and that will be OK.

Geoff

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[Geo]

Every time I see a thread on licensing I always think to my self I must get one

 

[DigglyDog]

Why not renew it anyway for peace of mind - it's only £30, not a great deal in the scheme of things.

 

[pelican]

THIRTY QUID
Thats a whole days pension!

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