For many of us, the driving licence is one of our most important documents, but it usually languishes in our wallets and purses, pretty much forgotten until we need to collect a parcel from the post office or we get pulled over by the police.
A quick straw poll of the Regtransfers editorial office revealed that, of the five team members asked, three hadn't really looked at their licence at all in the last 12 months, one person had checked a new licence that arrived to replace a lost one, and one person had only glanced at it because of a DVLA reminder that it was due for renewal.
What do most people even know about their driving licence?
Not a lot, apparently. Your humble blogger isn't even sure which vehicles he is permitted to drive under the terms of his licence (and he sincerely hopes that his car is one of them).
12 interesting facts about the driving licence
- Driving without a valid licence is a crime. It can earn you a £1000 fine, up to six points on your licence, disqualification from driving and even, in certain circumstances, seizure of your car. It is a criminal offence and will go on your record as such. The word 'valid' is important here. Driving with an expired licence can carry the same fine and points penalty as driving without one altogether. Driving a vehicle on a provisional licence when not accompanied by a qualified driver, and driving a vehicle not covered by your licence are also offences.
- If the details on your licence are incorrect, it may be invalid. The information on your licence must be accurate. If it is not then you could be committing the offence of driving without a valid licence, as described above.
- Renewing an old licence can mean re-taking your test. If your licence expires and remains out of date for two years or more, you may be required to take a driving test before a valid one will be issued to you.
- Your licence expires every 10 years if you are under 70 years of age. DVLA will send you a reminder so you can renew your licence in plenty of time, but it is wise to be aware of when renewal is due.
- Your licence expires when you reach 70 years of age. You will need to renew your licence at 70, even if you already renewed it less than 10 years before. Also, from age 70, you will have to renew your licence every three years instead of every 10.
- You may need to show your photocard driving licence when you go to vote. There are several types of photo ID accepted as proof of identity at UK elections. The driving licence is probably the convenient choice for most people.
- The British driving licence is well over 100 years old. The first licences were introduced in 1903 under the Motor Car Act. Early licences required registration of vehicles but there was no assessment of drivers' abilities to drive safely or competently. The driving test wasn't introduced until 1935, and the requirement to take the test was suspended for the duration of the Second World War. Early licences were simple documents printed on coloured paper: the first iteration was yellow.
- The Photocard driving licence was introduced in 1998. The early photocard licences came in two parts, the plastic ID card bearing the driver's photograph and a paper counterpart showing details of penalty points and other information.
- Although the paper counterpart was abolished in Great Britain, it is still a part of the NI licence. England, Scotland and Wales ditched the paper in June 2015 but drivers in Northern Ireland are still required to keep the counterpart.
- You can check your driving licence information online. Details of endorsements and penalties are no longer printed on your physical driving licence but you can check them on the government website at gov.uk/view-driving-licence. The online facility also allows you to share licence details with other people and organisations such as insurance companies or prospective employers.
- Karl (or Carl) Benz may have received the first ever driving licence. The German automobile pioneer known as the Father of the Motor Car is generally credited with inventing the first car as we know them today. Benz may also have been the recipient of the first ever driving licence when, in 1888, he received written permission from Grand Ducal authorities to drive his 'Motorwagen' on roads. Benz sought permission after neighbours complained about the noise and smell generated by his invention.
- Henry Ford didn't get his licence until he was 56. The American industrialist known for his innovative mass production of cars, lagged behind Karl Benz when it came to the driving licence. Benz's document of permission was issued to him at the age of 44: Ford was 56 when he got his.
