New 2013 Style Driving Licence

Hi everyone,

Quick question...when the new style driving licences were introduced last month, I recall reading that ALL licences were in a new format. Does that include the Provisional Driving Licence? So, does the provisional driving licence now look like all the rest of the driving licences (instead of it being green with a big L where the UK EU flag should be?) Just curious...LOL sorry I love how the British licence looks, and when I apply for my provisional I want it to look like the rest. I know I'm a freak like that lol

There's GOT to be another reason.
Go on, tell us! 

i'm not making a fake ID, if thats what you're implying. i'm actually serious.

Fake ID?  That never crossed my mind.
And anyway, I don't normally 'imply' things... I just come right out and say them.

The reason you've given just seems really odd to me.  
But anyway, I apologise that I don't know the answer to your question.  Hope you get the answer you want!

Looks the same to me...

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/the-new-driving-licence-card-design-explained

Not to derail the topic, but does it annoy anyone else that there is a paper part of the license as well?  I don't know why but this annoys me.

...but does it annoy anyone else that there is a paper part of the license as well?  I don't know why but this annoys me.

Yes, it seems a really silly thing to me! 

Someone once explained to me that the licence used to be only paper at one time - no laminated card, and it seems they just added the ID card to the paper bit at some point. And I think other countries have sort of moved with the times & seem to manage without a paper bit - especially in the age of technology...but then going by how UK governmental authorities seem to (mis)manage databases & technology (thinking of the latest shambles/scandal with UKBA), maybe it's best to keep the paper bit after all. 

Someone once explained to me that the licence used to be only paper at one time

That's true. I still have my mother's from the 1950s.

Related question--Is there any obvious visual difference between licenses for only driving automatics? I feel like there should be a mention somewhere but as far as we can tell my license and my husband's are the same. I am wondering if I was issued a full license accidentally.

Related question--Is there any obvious visual difference between licenses for only driving automatics? I feel like there should be a mention somewhere but as far as we can tell my license and my husband's are the same. I am wondering if I was issued a full license accidentally.

Yours should have a code '78' on the back which restricts you to driving automatics.

Someone once explained to me that the licence used to be only paper at one time - no laminated card, and it seems they just added the ID card to the paper bit at some point.

Yes, it did - my parents still have paper UK licences only, no ID cards. They don't have to get photo cards until their licences expire... which will be when they turn 70.. or if for some reason they have to apply for a new one (i.e. disqualification or lost/stolen licence).

If I remember correctly, the photo ID cards are pretty recent - I seem to remember them only being introduced just before I got my licence at age 17.

Just looked it up: photo ID cards were added to the paper licences in 1998 (I learned to drive in 2000).

Yes, it seems a really silly thing to me!  

Someone once explained to me that the licence used to be only paper at one time - no laminated card, and it seems they just added the ID card to the paper bit at some point. And I think other countries have sort of moved with the times & seem to manage without a paper bit - especially in the age of technology...but then going by how UK governmental authorities seem to (mis)manage databases & technology (thinking of the latest shambles/scandal with UKBA), maybe it's best to keep the paper bit after all.  

Not strictly true. I had a paper licence when I passed my test in 1979, I last moved house in 1991 and got a new licence then and it was still just paper. I've only just exchanged it for a photo licence because I was finding I needed photo id more and more and didn't want to be carrying my passport around. It wasn't a case of just adding a photo licence to the paper licence because the paper part of the photo licence is different to that on a paper licence, and you get a different bit of paper.
I think it's because the technology at the time meant that all the information couldn't be held or easily read off the card, for example any disciplinary points so that is kept on the paper.

I agree it's ridiculous though to still need to have the bit of paper.

Incidentally, as recently as 18 months ago I used my paper licence with no problems to rent a car in the US.