UK Drivers License – Paper or Plastic?

Originally many years ago before 1996 paper drivers’ licenses were common in Britain and these were very similar to certificates, with no photo id. Obviously fraud began to become a major issue as technology developed and people were managing to easily make fraudulent driver’s licenses. In 1998 the whole of the UK including Northern Ireland incorporated the use of the plastic card ID License. Plastic cards driving licenses would subsequently aim to replace all paper drivers’ licenses with durable plastic cards would contain all relevant information on such as ID photo, date of birth, address and signature.

These plastic card drivers licenses would also contain what is called ‘check digits’. These are 3 digits that operate on the binary system and it allows the UK authorities to keep track of repeat offenders or people who have points on their drivers’ licenses. This makes it very easy to identify the person due to the photo on the ID and whether they have any prior driving convictions.

Road Law in the UK came into play in 1903 with what was called the Motor Car Act and then over the century new laws would come into play as the number of cars and auto vehicles increased. By 1973 local authorities would issue tax discs and drivers licenses (paper versions not plastic cards) and the choice was made to put all the licensing system on to a computer national database that the police could use to manage the roads much more efficiently and effectively.

The legal driving age for someone in the UK is seventeen; this is when a person can begin to learn to drive. Typically they can go out with an adult (someone over the age of twenty one years old with a valid driving license) and need to display L-Plates or learner plates on the front and rear of the car so that other motorists are aware they are learning and will give them more room on the road. They also must be issued from the Driver and Vehicle License Agency (DVLA) with a valid provisional license, which is generally a green coloured version of a full UK driver’s license. These provisional driving licenses are also plastic cards and contain the same information that a full license would.

A person who is learning to drive would then book a series of lessons with a fully qualified instructor who would teach him or her how to manoeuvre the vehicle, drive, use the mirrors, emergency stop, be safe and be aware of road hazards. After twenty or so lessons and having passed the theory exam on road questions, they will complete a half hour driving test with a qualified official and if successful, the person will immediately be road worthy. The DVLA will then issue plastic cards driving licenses to successful drivers which are generally pink. Unsuccessful drivers will unfortunately keep their green plastic cards until they pass.

Contact Author