[SA Chris]

Anyone ever been asked for one of these?

Agency I booked though mentioned it, and I had never heard of it, or been asked for one, no idea how ling this has been ineffect; since paper licenses were disposed with perhaps?

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

You can use this service to:

..........create a licence ‘check code’ to share your driving record with someone, for example a car hire company

[tlr]

Yes, totally normal. You need it to hire a car, get courtesy car from garage etc. as you say, I think it’s since the paper was disposed of.

[Paul B]

Despite what's already been said being entirely correct, I've never actually been asked to provide a code before being given a car

[tk421a]

I have been checked. I think once in the UK. Anywhere abroad probably has no idea wtf it is.

[IanP]

Despite what's already been said being entirely correct, I've never actually been asked to provide a code before being given a car

Similarly, I got the code the first couple of times after paper licence was removed but have never been asked for it and haven't bothered in recent years with no problems.

[SA Chris]

Anywhere abroad probably has no idea wtf it is.

Indeed, I think I've probably had a dozen hires since paper licenses were disposed with and never been asked. Fortunately.

[Oldmanmatt]

Man, I hire cars all the time all over the world and pretty often in the UK. I guess the last time in the UK was Easter this year because of the rail strikes. I have never heard of this.
Cheers. I suppose it was only a matter of time before I was asked, and you have have saved me from looking pretty stupid.