§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of people who regularly take a motor vehicle on the public highway without a valid driving licence. [98039]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 10 November 1999]: It is not possible to give a precise estimate on the extent of unlicensed driving. In order to get more comprehensive and reliable information on this subject, the DETR has just let a 2½ year contract to study this area and to examine the implications. A recent report from the Automobile Association estimated that there may be around 800,000 people driving without a valid licence.
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what format will be used for the new photographic driving licence; what information is stored on this licence; what plans he has to introduce further information onto the driving licence; and if he will make a statement. [98358]
§ Mr. HillPhotocard driving licences have been issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency since July 1998. The format of the licence is set out in the 2nd EC Directive on driving licences and contains: the driver's photograph, signature, categories of driving entitlement; name, address and date of birth; and the EC flag containing the UK symbol. There are no plans to add any further information to the licence.