The old green and pink paper licence is still perfectly legal up to the date printed on it. As CR says, you can even still use them abroad for hiring cars if you have a passport to prove identity.
The only real issues you may find is that many companies in the UK that accept a driving licence as ID, probably won't accept the old style. Also, you can't use them as ID for domestic flights. However, again, in both cases your passport should be fine.
The big potential issue is if you commit a traffic violation whilst abroad. In this case the local police may well need to liaise with the UK DVLA in order to confirm that you can legally drive whatever vehicle you're in or on!
This could mean the difference between a quick check of your licence and a "ok, I'll let you off this time" and a couple of nights in jail! And I know which option I prefer lol!
Regarding the cost of renewing it every ten years, it does at the end of the day only equate to £2 per year! And someone has to be paid to do the job.
Weirdoraptor In: Brough, E. Yorks
Posts: 2087
Karma:
I changed my address last year and went from a paper to photo licence. I did it on line and it was FREEEEEE !!!
I had put it off for ages, forgetting to use the photo booths each time i passed them, then someone told me they can use your passport photo if you do it online.
Half hour later it was done, one week later i got my licence. Geddin!
I got the same thing through, just did it. What is even scarier is that if you don't do it your license is cancelled and you have to RE-SIT every test - , bet they don't use the £20's towards the fecking pot holes in the roads.
I don't trust the buggers at DVLA not to 'lose' my motorcycling entitlement so I will be getting an affidavit before sending my licence in for a photo one. However, I probably won't do so until I move and this will not be for at least a couple of years.
There was at one time a lot of problems with people not getting their motorcycle entilement when they applied for the new style licence.
When I sent in my paper licence a few years ago because I was fed up of the expired endorsements on show, I did the old change of address reason so it was free. I photocopied the old licence, having heard of the entitlement problems but mine came back ok, but, only valid for 10 years, so in 2016 they will be scamming me for more cash I suppose.
I guess their 'reasons' must be that your appearance changes from the photo of yourself after 10 years?