Motorists face new rules for hiring vehicles abroad

LONDON (ShareCast) - British drivers wishing to hire a car abroad will need to take a special code with them from 8 June, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency said on Monday. Motorists wanting to hire a vehicle will be required to have a code, which will be obtainable by logging into the DVLA website, to show convictions for driving offences.

The code is being introduced as the paper counterpart on UK driving licences - which records endorsement and fines - will be fully computerised in June and the DVLA has advised motorists to destroy paper counterparts after 8 June.

However, the AA has recommended people to retain the document as some hire firms might not be up to speed with the new system yet.

"Not all car rental companies, or indeed traffic police abroad, will be aware of the changes, so a 'belt and braces' approach of also taking the counterpart might help," said AA president Edmund King.

The DVLA added that the code is only valid for 72 hours, therefore drivers wanting to hire a car for a longer period will have to generate a new code while they are abroad.