The new-style credit card driving licences carry details of endorsements but not an address because there is not room for both, according to the politician in charge, Ray Harmer.

Department of Infrastructure Minister Mr Harmer told Tynwald this week that the new licences, which comprise just a card with no accompanying paper document, were introduced to keep the island in line with UK and EU practice.

He said in the UK an address was included on the licence but no details of endorsements. As a result, the authorities had been forced to invest money in a computer system to provide a means of checking this online, for purposes of car hire, for example.

’That means here there is no need for an online database to check for convictions. We have had very few reports of any difficulties but if anyone does have an issue please let us know,’ he said, adding anyone hiring a car should check with the country and hire company’s requirements. ’The driving licence was never intended to act as a proof of address, unlike a utility bill, for example, so it was much better to include endorsements on the licence.’

Mr Harmer was responding to a question from Douglas North MHK David Ashford.