‘Access to Driver Data’ service
What’s this then? OK, this is a DVLA-developed service for those businesses who would prefer driver data to be displayed or interpreted directly using their own software. It acts as a business-to-business interface (API) to provide the latest relevant driving licence information with the consent of the driver.
For more detail on the abolition of the counterpart driving licence visit www.gov.uk/dvla/nomorecounterpart.
So what do the counterpart changes mean for drivers?
- Drivers do not need to do anything; just keep your
current photocard driving licence. - DVLA is not abolishing paper driving licences issued before
the photocard introduction in 1998, and any driver who
holds this type of licence should keep it and not destroy it. - From 8 June 2015 the licence (whether photocard or paper)
will remain the official document that shows what vehicles a
person can drive; but the driver record held by DVLA will be
the only legal source of penalty point endorsements. - From 8 June 2015 paper driving licences will no longer be
annotated with endorsements. - Drivers can check the most up to date information on their
driving record online, by phone or post
The next time a driver needs to update their name,
address or renew their licence, DVLA will issue them
with a photocard only. - Entitlements, penalty points and the status of their driving
licence won’t change.
