Photo licences had only been around for 12 months or so when I got one - that meant I was among the first to have to renew the photocard. The new one caused a few double-takes when used as proof of ID as its design differs in some respects from the original, causing some people to wonder if it was a fake.
Still, I prefer having a photo licence to a paper one as it gives me the convenience of easy proof of ID, without a horrendous, intrusive national ID database to back it up. It's also useful when flying to Ireland. I've only ever flashed a driver's photocard at immigration control in Dublin, much to the bemusement of the massed hordes waving their unnecessary passports.
