![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Poster: A snowHead
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Haven't driven to France for a while but am doing so next trip. Is it essential to carry a dvla driver record (which is new since we last drove) - sorry if asked before but I couldn't see it from searching. If we do need one, I hope they are available quickly! Thanks for any advice.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You shouldn't need a special code to drive in France. Just take your driving licence as normal. If you want to hire a car or need proof of what endorsements you have (penalty points) or need to prove that your licence carries an entitlement to drive a particular class of vehicle, then you can check this on the DVLA website and you can get a "code" to share this.
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
It's free to get a "code" that gives your licence details. You might want to check that you can use the system (needs your driver number and national insurance number). Doesn't work for my son for some reason. He had to phone to get the code.
The code only works once so don't be tempted to try it, as you will then need to get another code
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 15-01-17 10:56; edited 1 time in total
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've hired cars a few times since that came into being. First time I think I printed off my record and. Took a code, but have never been asked to show it.
Foreign car hire staff either aren't aware of it or aren't bothered. If you have photo card licence that's all they want to see.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I needed it for a hire car in the UK, but not for Italy.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The record from the code is only needed if you are renting a car in the uk on a uk license.
So dont need it if renting overseas on a uk license or renting in the uk on an overseas license.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the info - yes, we've hired several times from Geneva and never been asked for this but we are driving from U.K this time in our own car so wasn't sure how necessary it is to have.
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Not needed in your case when driving your own car.
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There is an option to save the licence summary as a pdf file, which contains the endorsements (offences and points) and current driving status. (current full licence for example) It only gives the last 8 numbers (or letters) of your driving licence number.
So you could send this by email. However, printing it may be helpful.
Seems kind of complicated, but in case their systems are not working (the government system was down when I first tried to access a code this year for two days).
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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JohnHSmith wrote: |
)Doesn't work for my son for some reason. He had to phone to get the code.
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Doesn't, currently, work for me either. I was told the most common reason is a difference in the spelling of a name on either the DVLA or NI/HMRC records - in may case, while HMRC have my real name, whoever at DVLA transcribed my original driving licence application clearly didn't like Irish names with apostrophes - I now need to get DVLA to correct their records so that this code thing works. I hadn't bothered before because, while irritating, it hadn't caused any problems.
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I had to ring to get mine when the website wouldnt work for me. I expwct I would need to do this evertime I want a code. How convenient and another costly call centre the govt needs to operate. Think its just another balls up when trying to get a huge list on a database. Would be interesting to know how many people are having to phone.
Interestingly you dont need this when renting peer to peer. Just seems to be a requirement the rental car companies have come up with. They seem to want to make it hard to rent, more fool them.
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Budget Munich weren't interested in Saturday when I offered them the printed sheet with the code. Neither were Avis in Palma in October.
Think of that what you will!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I've probably had about 15 rental cars across France, Switzerland and the USA since these rules came in. I've never been asked for the code or printout, which is a good thing as I don't bother to carry it...
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Apparently the 'database' won't match unless its a 100% match and it seems there are many errors, my wouldn't work because my date of birth was entered with o1 instead of 01 some quality data input there!
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![](templates/subSilver/images/full_size.gif) You know it makes sense.
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@daveqpr, @snowdave, You only need the code/printout if you have a UK driving licence and you are hiring in the UK.
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