Totally get where you are coming from VB so far as navigating/saving all manner of stuff in the online world.
Has the licence system changed? ( mine isn't due yet) but looking at the payment completed confirmation when I last renewed it there was an option then to have it sent by email or text.
..... or
opt to have a licence card posted to you.
If I had opted for the posted card my
payment confirmation said I didn't need to wait for the card to arrive ( it could take up to 15 'working" days) provided I could provide an enforcement officer with the licence number.
If you are not sure you could find the licence number payment confirmation /Email / text on your phone by the waterside but have a note of the number I presume an enforcement officer could check a licence number is valid, you may have to prove who you are I guess.
Taking a photo of your licence details might be a possible back up?
Keeping a note of the licence number and leaving it your glove box might save some hassle too.
My printed off licence details were checked by an enforcement officer at a match a few weeks ago, helpfully he turned up before the "all in" !
People/organisations tend to assume we all have all manner of "stuff" and know how to use it!
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we call it fishing not catching!