Driving Abroad This Summer?

Here are some tips from the Good Garage Scheme for driving abroad this summer.

1. Don't assume all road laws are the same. Familiarise yourself with the highway codes in the countries where you will drive. You will be driving on new roads with signs in foreign languages. The more you know beforehand, the more relaxed you will be, especially if you are concentrating on driving on the left.

2. Check if there is any compulsory equipment you need to carry in the car. Some countries require items such as breathalysers, high visibility jackets and warning triangles by law.

3. Make sure you have all required documentation including a check code. The check code was introduced after the paper licence was no longer required and is valid for 21 days. It allows a hire company to check your details.

If you need to apply for one, please visit the Gov.UK website link here.

Before you go, ensure your car is in top condition. Visit your local Good Garage Scheme member to have a Holiday Check and ensure your tyres and fluid levels are good to go.

Hiring a car abroad this summer?

Brits who are travelling abroad this summer are being warned to plan ahead if they are hoping to hire a car during their trip.

The DVLA’s plans to scrap the paper part of the UK driving licence means that from the 8th June 2015 UK holidaymakers will have to present a code, they have obtained online, to their car hire company in place of the paper counterpart.

Additional information, such as endorsements and penalty points, had previously been presented on the paper counterpart driving licence, however with this section due to be scrapped, the only way this information can be checked is via the DVLA’s online database.

What does this mean for holidaymakers?

If you want to hire a car abroad you will need to first log on to the DVLA website and enter your driving licence number. You will then be given a code which you can pass on to your hire company when you arrive.

Ideally you should do this at home before you leave, however as the code is only valid for 72 hours, you may need to generate the code during your holiday if you are not picking up a hire car from the airport.

Even if you are not collecting your hire car until a few days into your holiday, it is advisable to visit the DVLA site before you leave home so that you know exactly what information is required of you to get your code – this includes your driving licence number and National Insurance number.

Many people are unaware of the changes and even some hire car companies have admitted it is news to them, which is why we at the Good Garage Scheme we are doing our best to raise awareness so that these changes do not impact on your holiday. Contact your hire car company to ensure you have everything you need when you arrive.

You can view your licence information and generate your licence check code here.

Don't forget to download the Good Garage Scheme's free app for peace of mind before you head off to the airport. 

UK Driving Licence Goes Paperless

A big change to the UK driving licence came into effect this week when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) abolished the paper counterpart of the driving licence. As of the 8th of June, the paper driving licence is not required and any changes you make to your address or name on your licence will be made on the photocard and sent back and also held online.

If you  need details of your licence, you can now access them via the website www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence. You will need your national insurance number, your driving licence number and postcode to access the information. You are also free to apply for the information by post.

If you need the information for a hire company or an employer, there are a set of instructions to apply for a code which is only valid for 72 hours. Please see more information here.                                                     

The Good Garage Scheme advises all motorists hiring a vehicle both in the UK and abroad to check on requirements so that you can be well- prepared.
 
The Government has introduced the change to save money and make the system more efficient but probably best to hold on to your paper counterpart until all teething problems have been sorted.