DVLA is set to scrap the paper part of the UK licence from June 8, which shows speeding and other driving offences.

UK drivers will instead have to go to the DVLA website and request a unique code to allow access to their full driving record. But this code would only be active for 72 hours.

There have been fears that this could cause “chaos” for holidaymakers who were unaware of the change and had not downloaded a code before arriving at their car rental location.

But leading car rental brokers say that the change will only apply to those renting cars in the UK and Ireland, as overseas car rental locations only need to see drivers’ existing photocard licence.

Sue Ledgard, sales operations manager for Flexible Autos, said they had spoken to all suppliers and confirmed that this change would only affect car rental in the UK and Ireland.

“Car hire companies overseas don’t ask to see the paper copy of the licence anyway,” she told TTG. “No other country has the same system with the paper part of the licence, they only look at the photocard.”

Flexible Autos has sent an email to reassure all agents that overseas car rental bookings would not be affected.

“After a full review, we are confident that our mutual clients will not have any difficulties with any of our car rental suppliers,” said the company in its message.

Ruth Bligh, managing director of Your Car Hire, said they had been given similar reassurances from car rental providers.

“Most of the suppliers that we deal with throughout the world have said that they will be accepting the photocard on its own and there will be no need for clients to worry about obtaining a code,” said Bligh.

“I really do not foresee many problems with hiring a car abroad, the photocard has been more than adequate on its own now for some time.”

Aidan O’Kelly, a homeworker for Colchester Travel, said there needed to be “more clarity” about the licence changes.

“It would be absolute chaos if a client went to the rental station and was not allowed to rent a car,” he said.

“What happens if you are going to Dublin but you’re not going to hire a car within the first three days of the holiday?”

DVLA admits that not all hire companies will ask for the information currently displayed on the paper licence and advises clients to check with their car provider.