We are visiting Spain in summer and will be hiring a car. Being of a “certain age” I still only have a paper license. Will I need to upgrade to full photo ID before I go or will my old bit of parchment do?

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/spain.pdf

All valid UK
driving licences should be accepted in Spain. This includes the older all-green style UK
licences (in Northern Ireland older paper style with photographic counterpart) although the
EC appreciates that these may be more difficult to understand and that drivers may wish to
voluntarily update them before travelling abroad, if time permits. Alternatively, older
licences may be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).

You are a gentleman, I thank you.

You may need to generate a code for the hire company to check your details

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

I’ve never had a problem hiring with my old paper licence. I have v rarely been asked for additional ID as it doesn’t have a picture, but that’s just an ID issue not the licence per se.

Easy to upgrade, and free (I think?) It was when I did mine, but that might be due to a change of address too.