Motorists will need a code to hire a car abroad

The paper counterpart of British driving licences is being computerised

Motorists planning to drive abroad after 8 June will need to take a special code with them if they want to hire a car. From that date, the paper counterpart of British driving licences – which records endorsements and fines – is being computerised.

This means that anyone wanting to hire a car overseas will officially need a code to show convictions for offences like speeding. To get it, motorists need to log on to the online DVLA Share Driving Licence service, to be launched shortly.

Those who do not have internet access should call 0300 083 0013.

But in a further wrinkle, the code is only valid for 72 hours, so anyone hiring a car more than three days into their trip will need to generate a new code while they are abroad.

If you hold a paper counterpart, it will no longer have any legal status after 8 June. You should destroy the paper record after that date, although you still need to keep your current photocard driving licence, the DVLA says. Paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain valid and should not be destroyed.