driving licence

[Genie]

Can you just apply for a new type one ? or do you have to wait until the old one expires ?

[RIS]

Just apply any time!

[emm]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Genie
Can you just apply for a new type one ? or do you have to wait until the old one expires ?
[/quote]

When you get the new photo one, you also get a paper part as well, which you have to produce on certain occasions (can't remember what occasions though!). The new paper section does not come with a plastic cover, so hang on to your old plastic cover if you still have it. I made the mistake of throwing out the old cover when I sent my old licence off, assuming that a new cover would arrive with the new licence.

[DiannaUK]

I understood that to hire a car you need the full paper licence, that a UK photo ID card is not sufficient on it's own. It's only on the paper version that any endorsements (or not) are shown, which is what I understood to be the reason for this.

Dianna.

[feathersonline]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by DiannaUK
I understood that to hire a car you need the full paper licence, that a UK photo ID card is not sufficient on it's own. It's only on the paper version that any endorsements (or not) are shown, which is what I understood to be the reason for this.

Dianna.
[/quote]

It is recommended that you take both the paper version and card with you, but on most occasions the car hire people will only ask to see the card...

[gromit]

We always have both the paper and card with us just in case, but Alamo/Dollar both seem to accept just the card. The card is always good if shops ask to see photo ID otherwise you will have to carry your passport with you! If you have changed name or moved house to get a photo card is then free! In theory you need the paper licence with you when hiring a car as the plastic one does not carry any endorsements etc. You do need to keep your licence with you at all times whilst driving in America, you will chance being fined if stopped by the police and you do not have it!!!

Hope this helps!

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by sundowner
Make sure the licence shows the same address as your passport - it's very easy to move house and forget to have driving licence address changed.[/quote]Where's your address on your passport? Mine doesn't have it on.

[benfilo]

If you need to change your address on your old paper license, then they'll upgrade it to a photo one for free. might be worth checking if they'll do it for a damaged one, never know it may go through the wash[msnwink]

[sunseeker]

I was involved in an accident at Easter and only had my pink driving licence, the sherrif told me it is an offence to drive without any photo I.D. and to make sure i carried some in future. [msneek]

Dave

[wrpac00]

Iv'e just changed my pink one for a photo one (£19), was fed carrying my passport around.