Young driver news - New driver car insurance holders and the paper licence

New driver news - Car insurance holders in 2015 won't have paper licence

Following a variety of changes being made to road regulations by the Government, British motorists will no longer be issued with paper licences in 2015.

Furthermore, road users will not need to present a car insurance certificate when purchasing a tax disc.

This may be a big change for drivers who have held full licences for the majority of their driving lifetimes, and will mean that new drivers who take to the roads in 2015 will never own a paper licence.

Paper driving licences have been a requirement for motorists since 1903 and Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, stated, "Motorists shouldn't have to keep numerous bits of paper just to prove they can drive and have bought insurance – we live in digital age and we need to embrace that."

The exact date from which drivers will be issued solely with a photo-card is still being discussed by the Government and insurance industry, but when the change comes into effect it should mean that making a car road-legal (and proving it) will be a much simpler process.

This change is likely to be welcomed by many road users, but until then motorists should not forget to have their licence in their vehicle in case they are asked for the document by the police.

Any road users who have only just passed their practical driving test, and will therefore experience the paper licensing system, can read about how to replace a lost, stolen, defaced or destroyed licence here.

If they have yet to find low-cost cover for their vehicle, they can read about an alternative type of new driver car insurance which is especially suitable for young drivers here.