Been doing a few test drives recently, been a while (probably pre-Covid) since I've done one.

Anyway, as usual, the dealers asked to see my driving licence or asked for its number, and then asked my NI number which had never cropped up before.

I thought they must be using some identity verification software, but it's just the facility on the gov.uk site which I hadn't encountered before:

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

 

Been like that since the paper licence whas scrapped. Points are now only shown online via the gov website. 

 

4 minutes ago, iantt said:

Been like that since the paper licence whas scrapped.

Ah. Only just got a plastic card last birthday, that must be why I've not come across it before.

I've got my old paper one i might carry it about for a laugh, still got my dads too that's a small red book type thing before he got the paper one.

47 minutes ago, Michael9 said:

I've got my old paper one i might carry it about for a laugh, still got my dads too that's a small red book type thing before he got the paper one.

When I got my plastic one, I decided to hang on to the old paper one as a keepsake. While filing it away with other old documennts I rediscovered my own red licence book, as well as the appointment card for my (successful) motor cycle test back in the '60's. Amazing the stuff we keep!😀

Same here Roger like you successful motor cycle test back in the '60's

My Dad's still got a post-war ration book!

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

My Dad's still got a post-war ration book!

If we're going to turn it into "one of those nostalgia threads" I've still got my Dad's pre-war passport. He did a cycling tour of Germany in late August 1939 and just got back in time! The passport has all the visa (not the credit card sort!) stamps complete with eagle and swastika insignias.

Just over 5 years later he was back there - but in his tank, not on his bike!

 

8 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

 

Just over 5 years later he was back there - but in his tank, not on his bike!

 

That reminded me of this story 😀

 

The German air controllers at Frankfurt Airport are renowned as a short-tempered lot. They not only expect one to know one's gate parking location, but how to get there without any assistance from them. So it was with some amusement that we (a Pan Am 747) listened to the following exchange between Frankfurt ground control and a British Airways 747, call sign Speedbird 206.

 

Speedbird 206: "Frankfurt, Speedbird 206 clear of active runway."

Ground: "Speedbird 206. Taxi to gate Alpha One-Seven."

The BA 747 pulled onto the main taxiway and slowed to a stop.

 

Ground: "Speedbird, do you not know where you are going?"

Speedbird 206: "Stand by, Ground, I'm looking up our gate location now."

Ground (with quite arrogant impatience): "Speedbird 206, have you not been to Frankfurt before?"

Speedbird 206 (coolly): "Yes, twice in 1944, but it was dark, -- And I didn't land."