Renting a car with a paper license.

[rufusgti]

I've really messed up. We have a holiday booked in Crete on July 6th. I need to hire a car ideally yet having just checked my photo drivers license it expires on the 7th July.

I have a paper license issued in 1998 which is valid until 2050. After my initial panic I read this link which suggests it's valid to rent a car.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hiring-a-vehicl...
It seems there's a code I can download and provide to check my driver's history.

My question is how likely is this to be accepted when collecting the car. I have not booked yet so if anyone has any tips on specific firms I'd appreciate it greatly.

[juggsy]

rufusgti said:

I've really messed up. We have a holiday booked in Crete on July 6th. I need to hire a car ideally yet having just checked my photo drivers license it expires on the 7th July.

I have a paper license issued in 1998 which is valid until 2050. After my initial panic I read this link which suggests it's valid to rent a car.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hiring-a-vehicl...
It seems there's a code I can download and provide to check my driver's history.

My question is how likely is this to be accepted when collecting the car. I have not booked yet so if anyone has any tips on specific firms I'd appreciate it greatly.

That link also says:

gov.co.uk said:

What’s needed varies from company to company and between locations, so it is essential that you check with your hire company before you travel.

…so best you give a couple a call and check with them, as when I hired a car with Avis recently an in-date photocard for the duration of the hire was a stipulation.

[Nico Adie]

rufusgti said:

I've really messed up. We have a holiday booked in Crete on July 6th. I need to hire a car ideally yet having just checked my photo drivers license it expires on the 7th July.

I have a paper license issued in 1998 which is valid until 2050. After my initial panic I read this link which suggests it's valid to rent a car.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hiring-a-vehicl...
It seems there's a code I can download and provide to check my driver's history.

My question is how likely is this to be accepted when collecting the car. I have not booked yet so if anyone has any tips on specific firms I'd appreciate it greatly.

I had to renew my photocard licence recently and got the new one within a week, I wouldn't panic too much...

[RicksAlfas]

I only have a paper licence and have to present my passport as the photo ID part of the rental.
Hopefully you can do the same if your new licence doesn't come through in time.

[bad company]

Nico Adie said:

rufusgti said:

I've really messed up. We have a holiday booked in Crete on July 6th. I need to hire a car ideally yet having just checked my photo drivers license it expires on the 7th July.

I have a paper license issued in 1998 which is valid until 2050. After my initial panic I read this link which suggests it's valid to rent a car.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hiring-a-vehicl...
It seems there's a code I can download and provide to check my driver's history.

My question is how likely is this to be accepted when collecting the car. I have not booked yet so if anyone has any tips on specific firms I'd appreciate it greatly.

I had to renew my photocard licence recently and got the new one within a week, I wouldn't panic too much...

Mine took less than a week. It’s important that you have a current passport as that’s the phot they’ll use, also be sure to apply online.

[towser44]

I hired one in Fuerteventura without my licence. They checked with the DVLA whilst I was in the office. Not sure how likely that is now though given the chances of getting in touch with the DVLA within 3 hours are probably slim.

[Monkeylegend]

Always had a paper licence, and never had a problem hiring abroad. I have also never had to show the DVLA download confirming my licence and it's current status.

For most it seems as long as you have a valid credit card they don't care.

[anonymous-user]

If you are going to Crete, I recommend Vai beach (where the original bounty advert was filmed) and Spinalonga island.