You have to carry your license with you?
Discussion
Got stopped by the law earlier because they thought I was racing a 2.5v6 vectra off the lights and they saw us.
When I was having my own personal roadside conversation with my copper (the other guy had his own copper too) the cop told me you have to carry your driving license with you when you are driving.
It's not the first time I've been stopped. Never on any previous occasion has any cop told me this before and they always want to know who you are so they always ask for driving license or something.
I asked him when this had changed and he said it's always been like that.
This is coming from a traffic officer who should be pretty clued up on road rules?
Is he right? Should I be carrying my license everywhere?
They told me they thought I had undertook the Vectra and they could do me for that = result!
When I was having my own personal roadside conversation with my copper (the other guy had his own copper too) the cop told me you have to carry your driving license with you when you are driving.
It's not the first time I've been stopped. Never on any previous occasion has any cop told me this before and they always want to know who you are so they always ask for driving license or something.
I asked him when this had changed and he said it's always been like that.
This is coming from a traffic officer who should be pretty clued up on road rules?
Is he right? Should I be carrying my license everywhere?
They told me they thought I had undertook the Vectra and they could do me for that = result!
Still think both parts.
Although TBH, the physical documents like paper and plastic cards are becoming less and less relevant these days. With the feds holding everything on computer the bits you hold in your hand are fairly meaningless.
Cross-checking information is the way they establish the validity of what you're telling them. i.e. if they check several pieces of info you give them and one of them is wrong that will start a long conversation.
Although TBH, the physical documents like paper and plastic cards are becoming less and less relevant these days. With the feds holding everything on computer the bits you hold in your hand are fairly meaningless.
Cross-checking information is the way they establish the validity of what you're telling them. i.e. if they check several pieces of info you give them and one of them is wrong that will start a long conversation.
Both parts. I just renewed.
I don't think there is any obligation to carry either parts.
Edit:
It says nothing about carrying either parts. It says that it should be kept safely, and that both parts should be kept together, and produced when required.
I think he's wrong.
I don't think there is any obligation to carry either parts.
Edit:
It says nothing about carrying either parts. It says that it should be kept safely, and that both parts should be kept together, and produced when required.
I think he's wrong.
Edited by MX7 on Saturday 16th July 17:51
[quote]I don't think there is any obligation to carry either parts.
[/quote]
That's what I thought. The copper seemed sure though. I just think if that was the case I would have heard it somewhere before - at least when I have been stopped in the past if not from friends or driving instructors!
[/quote]
That's what I thought. The copper seemed sure though. I just think if that was the case I would have heard it somewhere before - at least when I have been stopped in the past if not from friends or driving instructors!
Yes, technically you are supposed to carry your full driving licence. As has been mentioned about, copying your documents and keeping them somewhere secure in the car or on your person is usually a good idea. While most traffic stops will result in a licence check, insurance and MOT check and a VEL check, the whole process can be helped along significantly just by having your photocard and copied documents.
Still, don't expect them to get you out of gettign a producer if the officer deems it necessary (eg if he doubts the authenticity of the documents).
Still, don't expect them to get you out of gettign a producer if the officer deems it necessary (eg if he doubts the authenticity of the documents).
Section 164 of the Road Traffic Act Says
(8) In proceedings against any person for the offence of failing to produce a licence it shall be a defence for him to show that—
(a) within seven days after the production of his licence was required he produced it in person at a police station that was specified by him at the time its production was required, or
(b) he produced it in person there as soon as was reasonably practicable, or
(c) it was not reasonably practicable for him to produce it there before the day on which the proceedings were commenced
So whilst it is an offence not to carry it there is a statutory defence if you produce it within 7 days or as soon as practically possible. So in practice you don't need to carry it
(8) In proceedings against any person for the offence of failing to produce a licence it shall be a defence for him to show that—
(a) within seven days after the production of his licence was required he produced it in person at a police station that was specified by him at the time its production was required, or
(b) he produced it in person there as soon as was reasonably practicable, or
(c) it was not reasonably practicable for him to produce it there before the day on which the proceedings were commenced
So whilst it is an offence not to carry it there is a statutory defence if you produce it within 7 days or as soon as practically possible. So in practice you don't need to carry it
Baryonyx said:
Yes, technically you are supposed to carry your full driving licence.
I'm still not convinced." Do I have to carry my licence with me at all times when driving/riding?
No, but it is strongly recommended. The Police are entitled to ask to see your licence at any time and if you do not have it immediately, you will be ordered to produce it to a Police Station within 7 days. Failing to produce within that period of time is another offence, even if you do actually hold a licence."
He would have had me believe it's a case of 'have' to carry your license. That's the part I was convinced wasn't true. You don't 'have' to - a couple of people have confirmed this now.
He was wrong about a couple of other things as well. Like having evidence. But I wasn't going to argue with him on that one. Sure way to make a copper angry and get yourself a beating.
He was wrong about a couple of other things as well. Like having evidence. But I wasn't going to argue with him on that one. Sure way to make a copper angry and get yourself a beating.
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