Hypothetical car hire question

[thegreatsoprendo]

If you needed to hire a car, and didn't have access to your driving licence, would the hire company accept a photocopy or a scan of your licence?

[GlenMH]

I flew to Manchester and realised that I didn't have my licence. Avis just rang the DVLA who then asked my permission to release the details.

Glen

[julianhj]

Any firm with it's salt will do a DVLA check. Don't let 'em try and charge you for the privilege like on 'national' outfit will

[thegreatsoprendo]

Cheers guys. Presumably, though, if you had a printout or a photocopy with you, the check wouldn't be necessary? Also, what if you're abroad? Would they still be able/willing to check with the DVLA?

[thegreatsoprendo]

boing...

[bigandclever]

It's happened to me 3 times, because I usually forget to take the paper part of my photo licence. In the past I've had to give them (Hertz and Avis) 3 forms of ID (at least one of which had to be a photo ID) then they called the DVLA and charged me £5 for them to confirm I had a valid licence. Bastards. But then I paid it without any proper fuss because I didn't need the grief. I think that the DVLA works regular office hours in the week, and is shut on Sunday. So don't turn up after 6pm on a weekday, or on a Sunday without the necessary bits and pieces.

Photocopies are usually unacceptable.

EasyCar were by far the most inflexible of the lot, but I put that down to the muppet behind the desk. Once I explained what he could do, and then did it for him, it was fine. Plus he didn't charge me for the privilege

Picking a car up while abroad has only ever needed the credit card the booking was made on, but I have no idea if that's the 'proper' procedure or not.

[julianhj]

The reason you can't use a photocopy is that you could make that copy today and get a 2 year ban tomorrow. Only an original licence or a call to the DVLA will suffice, and it's a legal & insurance reqirement (normally) - the hire firm could be in deep trouble if you crashed and they hadn't confirmed you have a valid DL.

As for abroad, I know in the US you need the counterpart of the photo licence, because that holds your endorsements - but then would every rental monkey know the layout of a UK licence? Probably not, as US licences are just a photocard.

[thub]

I've yet to show anything other than the photocard portion of my licence when hiring a car in the USA (and France & Holland, come to think of it).