After months of campaigning by the BVRLA, the DVLA has today extended the validity period of the check code generated for motorists to share their driving licence details.
After months of campaigning by the BVRLA, the DVLA has today extended the validity period of the check code generated for motorists to share their driving licence details.
The one-use code is now active for 21 days, unlike the previous validity period of 72 hours, which meant that motorists had to visit the View Driving Licence website and generate a code less than three days before they intended to hire a car.
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: "We're pleased that the DVLA has listened to industry feedback that the code lifespan was too short. This common sense approach will reduce queues at rental desks and give millions of renters more time to plan and arrive prepared ahead of their journey.”
On 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was abolished. Motorists can now view up-to-date driving licence information using the DVLA’s View Driving Licence website, which includes a Share My Licence service that generates a code enabling car hire companies and other third-parties to check for any endorsements. Old-style paper licences (issued until 1998) are still valid but they won’t be updated with penalty points.
Although it has welcomed the extension of the code's lifespan, the BVRLA is still calling on the DVLA to make other changes that would benefit consumers.
“We think that the DVLA should extend the opening hours of its call centre, because not all renters have access to the internet,” Keaney added. “The agency should also waive the cost of the premium line telephone service that is used to check endorsements when motorists turn up without a code. Finally, we think that the DVLA can make it easier for people to access the View Driving Licence website by being more flexible on the ID required. For example, most travellers would find it easier to provide a passport number than a National Insurance number.”
