Driving Licence

1903 Driver registration was introduced in 1903 with the Motor Car Act 1903. Holders of the sulphur-yellow covered document were entitled to "drive a motor car or motor cycle".

1904 January 1st. First Driving Licences issued -

• No. 2019 R. J. Stevens
• No. ???? - G. Shaw Scott
• No. ???? - George Vidler
• No. 7085 - 1904/04/16 - G. R. Nicholls
• No. 13,339 - 1905/02/22 - G. W. B. Shepherd

1921 There were one million drivers in Britain

1930 The wording changed in 1930 after which holders were allowed to "drive or steer a motor car or to drive a motor cycle". It was not clear why a motor cycle would not need to be steered. Shortly afterwards, the document cover changed to a dark red colour: holders were for a period entitled to drive a vehicle of "any class or description". Obtaining a licence only required a declaration of fitness.

Subsequent changes saw the document list precisely those vehicle types for which holders were licensed.

1934 Competency tests were introduced in by the Road Traffic Act 1934

In 1939 tests were suspended for seven years due to the Second World War

1939 Three million licensed motorists

1956 Tests were suspended for one year due to the Suez Crisis.

Until 1973, driving licences (and tax discs) were issued by local authorities, and had to be renewed every three years. In 1971, the decision was taken to computerise the licensing system to enable it to be linked to the Police National Computer, as well as extending the life of the licence up to the driver's 70th birthday.

See Also

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