Compulsory Photolicence
Discussion
From www.fleetnewsnet.co.uk/newshome/home_fullarticle/?articleid=27310&Pag
Magistrates call for action on driving licences
THE Magistrates' Association wants new rules forcing motorists to carry photocard driving licences at all times in order to cut down on time wasting and fraud.
Elliot Griffiths, chairman of the Magistrates' Association's road traffic group, has called for a complete overhaul of the law on driving licences to cut down on abuses.
He said: 'What we are keen to have is compulsory carrying of driving licences when driving. The problem is the scope for fraud. We really do not think this is unreasonable.'
According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), only 10 million of the 37 million licence holders have photocard licences, and Griffiths said that the changeover for the remaining two-thirds must happen as soon as possible.
Police could then check licences on the roadside, rather than asking drivers to produce them at a police station within seven days which, he says, is open to abuse with banned drivers using duplicates with less points or false identities.
The introduction of such legislation could help to free-up time for fleet operators. With more than 11,000 drivers losing their licences last year for speeding, according to Government figures, many motoring bodies have suggested that companies should not only be checking licences regularly but checking with the DVLA for 'hidden' points.
Compulsory photocards could help to speed up the process by making it much harder for drivers to falsify current documents, Griffiths claimed. Austria and the Republic of Ireland are the only other EU countries not to have mandatory card carrying.
Opinions????
Magistrates call for action on driving licences
THE Magistrates' Association wants new rules forcing motorists to carry photocard driving licences at all times in order to cut down on time wasting and fraud.
Elliot Griffiths, chairman of the Magistrates' Association's road traffic group, has called for a complete overhaul of the law on driving licences to cut down on abuses.
He said: 'What we are keen to have is compulsory carrying of driving licences when driving. The problem is the scope for fraud. We really do not think this is unreasonable.'
According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), only 10 million of the 37 million licence holders have photocard licences, and Griffiths said that the changeover for the remaining two-thirds must happen as soon as possible.
Police could then check licences on the roadside, rather than asking drivers to produce them at a police station within seven days which, he says, is open to abuse with banned drivers using duplicates with less points or false identities.
The introduction of such legislation could help to free-up time for fleet operators. With more than 11,000 drivers losing their licences last year for speeding, according to Government figures, many motoring bodies have suggested that companies should not only be checking licences regularly but checking with the DVLA for 'hidden' points.
Compulsory photocards could help to speed up the process by making it much harder for drivers to falsify current documents, Griffiths claimed. Austria and the Republic of Ireland are the only other EU countries not to have mandatory card carrying.
Opinions????
So what about the other documents, do we also carry the mot, insurance certificate and log book? Which is also required at a producer. I for one do not carry these documents simply because they would get tatty and leaving them in the car is a very bad idea. "here mr car thief take my car, evidence of insurance, log book, mot, and licenec to prove who you are!!!" (so much easier to sell the car on, and do other crimes with)
If everything could be on a credit card then no problem but whilst all the documents are mismatched and have different sources etc. this idea simply won't work.
BTW are they going to pay for the licence change for me. Or is this another revenue generator?
>> Edited by smeagol on Wednesday 18th September 00:24
If everything could be on a credit card then no problem but whilst all the documents are mismatched and have different sources etc. this idea simply won't work.
BTW are they going to pay for the licence change for me. Or is this another revenue generator?
>> Edited by smeagol on Wednesday 18th September 00:24
The licence is free, (If you are changing from Paper to Photo)the problem I have is that it has my picture AND my address on it. SO if my wallet gets stolen..............
Oh yeah, it also has an EU Flag on it, but I am writing to my MP about that one.
Also does rather seem like a sneaky back door way of ensuring the majority of the population have an ID card. Still, the way Plod/Speed Cameras are going no one will need a license soon
>> Edited by Jason F on Wednesday 18th September 09:36
Oh yeah, it also has an EU Flag on it, but I am writing to my MP about that one.
Also does rather seem like a sneaky back door way of ensuring the majority of the population have an ID card. Still, the way Plod/Speed Cameras are going no one will need a license soon
>> Edited by Jason F on Wednesday 18th September 09:36
quote:No - it's 18 quid if you do a straight swap. It's only free if you're doing a change of address at the same time.. I went thru this last month..
The licence is free, (If you are changing from Paper to Photo)the problem I have is that it has my picture AND my address on it. SO if my wallet gets stolen..............
As far as carrying other documents, well they can check the registered keep on the PNC, and they can also check insurance details on the MIB (or whatever it's called). A valid tax disc also denotes valid MOT and incurance at a certain point in the past year..
All this aside, I'm instinctively against pushing forward what was always a backdoor ID card scheme, even thought the progmatist in me says I've nothing to hide so why fear it.. the reason to fear it is that like so many other ideas ostensibly in the public interest it is open to abuse once established by this or a future government.
In a lot of countries it is compulsory to carry your driving licence when driving (including here in Hungary). I have no problem with this whatsoever as I see it as being in my own interest. If my car was stolen and subsequently stopped, the thief had no driving licence or not mine, then he will be copped on the spot.
quote:
In a lot of countries it is compulsory to carry your driving licence when driving (including here in Hungary). I have no problem with this whatsoever as I see it as being in my own interest. If my car was stolen and subsequently stopped, the thief had no driving licence or not mine, then he will be copped on the spot.
Whilst this is a fine idea, in this country should the car be stolen the police will not bother getting out of their station to look for your car and will instead just give you a crime reference number (until such time as that looks bad on the stats and they make up some reason not to give you a ref no. either). And not many gatsos do stop and searches that I have seen.
quote:
I have no problem with this whatsoever as I see it as being in my own interest. If my car was stolen and subsequently stopped, the thief had no driving licence or not mine, then he will be copped on the spot.
But presumeably you've told the police this car is stolen then all they need is the car descrption and registration plate. If I drive a friends car perfectly legally (ie with permission) This stop and check technique would have me arrested.
The other question about photo drivers licence is of course how often they have to be renewed. Remember we have to pay so I see this as another tax on the driver as well as backdoor id-cards.
Forget the Photo licence. Bring in the compulsory ID card that carries driving entitlements. Make it a reportable offence not to have it with you. Cut down on illegal immigrants, cut down on Police time checking people who are giving false details and those who have to be traced after they've got away with giving false details.
Decent honest people have nothing to fear.
Rob
Decent honest people have nothing to fear.
Rob
quote:
Decent honest people have nothing to fear.
Sorry thats b*ll*cks. You are a decent honest copper but I'm sure you'll agree that some of them aren't. Carrying ID cards esp. to catch illegal immigrants etc. is tantermount to a police state.
ID cards will allow the police literally to stop you and ask to see it (esp. if you make a crime not to). That allows us to be open to abuse, discrminitaion, and harrasment with no comeback. "I had reason to belive they weren't carrying their ID" would be the reason for the multiple stops. Don't say this wont happen becasue it HAS happenned to me! I was stopped three times one evening 'cos I looked rough and carried a bag (I didn't mind the first search, but wasn't happy by the third).
Thieves/other scrotes would simply steal/mug people for the "legit" ID or simply carry forgeries making police time catching crminals just as long if not longer. The only people it would affect are the innocent who would open themselves up for random stop checks.
My freedom is that I can walk down the road without being accosted by the police without good reason and if I feel I am being hassled I can appeal. ID cards would remove that right.
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff