Affordable Car Hire is warning agents not to be misled by advice on driving licence changes.
Over the last few weeks Affordable has contacted more than 500 of its global car hire partners to gauge what customers should do in light of the DVLA abolishing the paper counterpart of UK driving licences next month.
Up until now this part of the licence has shown endorsements for any driving offences.
The company found that the change does not exclusively affect car rental in the UK and Ireland, despite the claims of some media reports.
As a result, Affordable is recommending that agents advise all customers hiring cars overseas to obtain the unique passcode from the DVLA website before collecting the car.
Angela Day, chief executive of Affordable Car Hire, said: “It is extremely important for us that our trade partners are given the correct advice so our mutual customers can continue to receive an exemplary and problem free service when collecting their vehicles.
“Whilst the majority of our car hire partners have indicated a passcode is not required, some of them have advised that they will be asking UK customers to present the one off passcode on collection.
“Given that the overseas requirements are far from conclusive, we strongly recommend that agents advise customers hiring cars overseas to obtain the passcode from the DVLA.”
Affordable has set out guidelines for obtaining the passcode on the DVLA website.
The process, which involves inserting the driving licence number, NI number and postcode, can be completed on mobile phones and tablets overseas as well as in the UK. Once obtained the code lasts 72 hours.
Visit gov.uk/view-driving-licence to find out more.