Photocards are replacing paper licences and you must obtain a DQC card as proof of holding CPC
From October 18 bus and coach drivers holding a British paper driving licence have been asked by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to exchange it for a photocard licence in order to receive their driver qualification card (DQC) at no cost.
The DQC proves a driver holds the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) which professional bus, coach and lorry drivers must now legally hold in addition to their driving licence.
Drivers with a photocard licence will receive their DQC automatically, as the same photograph can be used for both documents. While drivers will still have to pay the usual £20 photocard licence fee, they will benefit from receiving their DQC free of charge, which could save them up to £30 over the 10 year photocard licence period.
Rosemary Thew, DSA chief executive said: “We’re urging drivers to exchange their paper licence sooner rather than later. As well as saving money, drivers holding a photocard licence will receive their DQC automatically when they have passed the Driver CPC initial qualification or completed 35 hours of periodic training.”
Should drivers leave the exchange of their licence until after completion of their training, they may risk a delay in receiving their DQC.
Drivers can apply to exchange their licence online, by post or drop off their application at DVLA local offices and selected Post Office branches.
For more information on exchanging your paper licence visit www.direct.gov.uk/exchangelicence
