As of June, the paper part of driving licences will become obsolete- in a bid to make things easier for drivers.
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Any details that currently appear on the paper counterpart will only be available online from June onwards.
Drivers have historically had to keep two parts to their driving licence up until June 2015- the paper part and the plastic ID card for the last 17 years.
The paper section records penalty points and endorsements but will be of no use as of the 8th June 2015- and the DVLA urge people to destroy their paper part of their driving licence after making an online comparison.
Anyone who doesn't have a photo card will not be affected by these changes.
There has also been a warning issued by the DVLA urging people not to click on emails that claim you need to click through to verify your driving licence details. Fraudsters are using this opportunity to gain access to bank details.
Companies- like vehicle hire firms, for example will now have to contact the DVLA to find out if you have any points- the cost of which might be imposed on the driver.
AA spokesman Paul Watters said: "This change could cause confusion. Not all drivers are comfortable with computers and surfing online. It could also cause a lot of resentment. People will also be concerned at who exactly will be able to get access to your electronic driver record and the potential for fraud and scams.
"The introduction has already been delayed six months because of concerns that the IT wouldn't be ready.
"Before you do destroy your counterpart, do check the electronic version to ensure they match and that you haven't got points that shouldn't be there, or that you are aware of any you may have forgotten."
A Government spokesman said: "The reason for abolishing the counterpart is to reduce the burden on motorists.
"For most drivers there simply isn't a need to have this information on a piece of paper when it is now freely and easily available online. It also saves drivers from paying £20 to replace a lost or damaged counterpart."
A DVLA spokesman said: "If you already hold a paper counterpart, after 8 June 2015 it will no longer have any legal status. You should destroy your paper counterpart after this date but you still need to keep your current photocard driving licence."
Paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain valid and should not be destroyed.
Source: Plymouth Herald
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