Abolishion of driving licence counterpart 01/01/2015

[triquet]

Off to France tomorrow and will need to take all the bumf with me lest the Bold Gendarmes pounce ...

[Zebedee]

The IAM or RoSPA may have a legitimate interest in points but they can probably access this information, with the consent of the driver, from DVLA.

I genuinely don't understand why the IAM or RoSPA need to know this info. They're charities, not the police. It isn't their responsibility to monitor points on people's licenses; that's the Government's job via the DVSA.

As long as someone has a valid license, I'd argue that the IAM and RoADAR should enable him or her to learn advanced driving. Leave monitoring points on driving licenses to the police and DVSA.

What's more, if someone has a lot of points, then he or she might particularly benefit from becoming a better driver through the IAM or RoSPA. People with points on their license could stand to benefit most from advanced training.

[trashbat]

They used to care but don't any more.

The reason seems to have been that people would join the IAM etc as an attempt at creating evidence to get them out of a ban.

[superplum]

They used to care but don't any more.

The reason seems to have been that people would join the IAM etc as an attempt at creating evidence to get them out of a ban.

It was always the policy that you had to inform the parent organisation of any motoring "misdemeanors" so they could consider whether the individual remained worthy to be a member. Training is a different matter: that responsibility rests with the local groups. It is not unknown for individuals to request advanced training so that this excuse can be used as a mitigating factor during possible sentencing. My group recently had an elderly advanced driver apply for membership and refresher training; he already had 3 points and also had 3 outstanding NIPs for speeding in a 30mph (home village). We declined tp provide training until the NIP's actions had been completed. The comment was "OK, I understand, I thought I would try anyway"!

[TripleS]

I obtained a plastic card driving licence a few years ago on reaching the age of 70 (mind you, the photograph shows a most unsavoury looking character!), and it lives in the filing cabinet, together with the paper bit, so they remain clean and tidy, and I know where to find them if necessary.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

The trouble with that, Dave, is that when the rozzers stop you for driving at 1000 m.p.h. on the A171, You have to make a special trip to Whitby nick to produce it, with the concomitant difficulty/cost of parking.

I would probably walk there, and find it closed, most likely. Pah, part-timers!

[true blue]

I'm told that one of my father's friends put his paper driving licence through the washing machine by mistake. It came out clean - in every sense of the word! Apparently the ink used for endorsements was less permanent than that used for the rest of the license!

I've used my paper counterpart for hiring a car abroad, to show my employer and for IAM/RoSPA tests. Ditching the paper counterpart seems a sensible move along with electronic-only tax discs.

[triquet]

Up until the age of 70 I did not have a plastic card, I just used the paper counterpart. You are quite OK using this until having to renew at 70. I used the scruffy paper to hire cars incl abroad on a regular basis without problem.

[MGF]

The IAM or RoSPA may have a legitimate interest in points but they can probably access this information, with the consent of the driver, from DVLA.

I genuinely don't understand why the IAM or RoSPA need to know this info. They're charities, not the police. It isn't their responsibility to monitor points on people's licenses; that's the Government's job via the DVSA.

If the organisation doesn't want members or associates with a certain amount of points on their licence or to attach conditions to membership then that would be a legitmate interest. Joining is voluntary. Whether such conditions should apply is another matter.

[superplum]

I genuinely don't understand why the IAM or RoSPA need to know this info. They're charities, not the police. It isn't their responsibility to monitor points on people's licenses; that's the Government's job via the DVSA.

As long as someone has a valid license, I'd argue that the IAM and RoADAR should enable him or her to learn advanced driving. Leave monitoring points on driving licenses to the police and DVSA.

Missed this bit earlier; why has "DVSA" got to be involved?

Oh dear, have I now become pedantic?

[martine]

My group recently had an elderly advanced driver apply for membership and refresher training; he already had 3 points and also had 3 outstanding NIPs for speeding in a 30mph (home village). We declined tp provide training until the NIP's actions had been completed. The comment was "OK, I understand, I thought I would try anyway"!

That seems a little harsh - isn't it just as likely the driver genuinely wants to improve their observation and control - isn't this just the sort of driver we should be encouraging?

[Rick101]

About time.

I keep my photocard attached to my paper with masking tape (removes easily). There is no point keeping the handy card sized part in you wallet apart from ID as as a licence it isn't valid without the paper. So present both, or neither.

I also tend to keep a colour photocopy in the glovebox of all my cars along with copies of V5, MOT and insurance certificate. I started the practice after a few trips abroad and figured it was worthwhile continuing.

[superplum]

My group recently had an elderly advanced driver apply for membership and refresher training; he already had 3 points and also had 3 outstanding NIPs for speeding in a 30mph (home village). We declined tp provide training until the NIP's actions had been completed. The comment was "OK, I understand, I thought I would try anyway"!

That seems a little harsh - isn't it just as likely the driver genuinely wants to improve their observation and control - isn't this just the sort of driver we should be encouraging?

Not if you know the full story which, of course, will not be included here. Suffice it to say that he had achieved RoSPA Gold somewhere and knew the system - blaming the speed limiter didn't help his case. However, as per my original comment, training was withheld only until NIP action was completed. Still waiting to hear but 12 points......

[WhoseGeneration]

Gosh, my wife and I don't have these new fangled photo type licences. Just the one piece pink thing.

Eta, surely by now, a Mod on this most pedantic of 'sites would have spotted and edited the thread title?

[Standard Dave]

It's easier to find the DVLA record on the computer with the DL number than name and date of birth, I carry the card part but not the counterpart I'd not believe it anyway and reference the computer anyhow before taking any action.

There are some companies who examine the licences of approved drivers to check for points for insurance purposes so I'm not sure how they will continue to ensure employees have 6 or less points etc. I suppose you could get them to sign a declaration if they lie it's fraud or misconduct so you can sack them more easily if that suits in future I suppose.

[michael769]

The DVLA is trialling an online lookup service for employers and the like.