History of the Driving-Licence at Gocompare.com
The driving licence has evolved a great deal since its introduction, and now, in the UK, it will be used to reduce fraud and improve speed and accuracy in motor insurance.
From Summer 2014, a joint initiative between the DVLA, the Department of Transport and the insurance industry (ABI, MIB) will work by having drivers provide their driving licence number (DLN) when they apply for vehicle insurance.
An automatic check will then be made to the DVLA database, bringing up accurate information on licences.
According to a specially prepared page at Go Compare, the benefits are as follows:
- Customers will save an average of £15 on car insurance
- Getting a quote will be quicker as insurers won’t need to ask as many questions
- Reduces the likelihood of mistakes during application (accidental or deliberate), as currently one in five people under-declare their motoring convictions.
Further information at http://www.gocompare.com/car-insurance/history-of-the-driving-licence/
Five little known facts about driving licences:
- The oldest driving licence holder in the UK is a 107-year-old woman.
- Former Pope Benedict XVI has a pilot’s licence and liked to fly from the Vatican to the papal summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, but he does not have a driver’s licence as he never learned to drive a car.
- Karl Benz, inventor of the modern automobile, had to receive written permission from the authorities to operate his car on public roads in 1888 after residents complained about the noise and smell of his Motorwagen – thus in effect having the first driving licence.
- Henry Ford didn’t have a driver’s licence until he was 56.
- In 1935, the pass rate was 63%. The first person to pass was called Mr J Beene.