OFFICIALS at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency have unveiled the design of the new photocard driving licence. About the size of a credit card, it will show the holder's signature, address, date of birth and driving entitlement details.

Security measures to make sure the correct photo is used on the licence mean it must be countersigned by an authorised person and be sent in with supporting documents. Those who pass their test from late July onwards get the new document, but holders of current licences can hold on to them until they expire, when they get a new style licence. From July 1999, all new applications will receive the photocard licence.