Driving Licences A Driver's Guide

Driving Licences A Driver's Guide

Driving Licences A Guide For Drivers

This guide has been prepared by Sandwell Automatic Driving School, and is intended to provide general information to help drivers to understand Driving Licences and to stay legal; whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not intended to be a legal guide.

A driving licence includes these details:

• Surname
• First Names
• Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Date of Licence Issue
• Date of Licence Renewal
• Licence Issuing Authority (usually DVLA)
• Driver Number
• Licence Holder’s Address
• Categories of Vehicle The Licence is Valid For

The reverse side of a driving licence lists every vehicle category, with a valid from and valid to date.

If no dates are shown alongside a vehicle category, there is no entitlement to drive that vehicle category.

Each vehicle category also shows any information or restriction codes that are applicable.

Driving Licence information Codes

Information codes tell you any restrictions to your driving entitlement

• 01 eyesight correction
• 02 hearing/communication aid
• 10 modified transmission
• 15 modified clutch
• 20 modified braking systems
• 25 modified accelerator systems
• 30 combined braking and accelerator systems
• 31 pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards
• 32 combined service brake and accelerator systems
• 33 combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems
• 35 modified control layouts
• 40 modified steering
• 42 modified rear-view mirror(s)
• 43 modified driving seats
• 44 modifications to motorcycles
  • (1) single operated brake
  • (2) adapted front wheel brake
  • (3) adapted rear wheel brake
  • (4) adapted accelerator
  • (5) (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch
  • (6) (adjusted) rear-view mirror(s)
  • (7) (adjusted) commands (direction indicators, braking light, etc.)
  • (8) seat height allowing the driver, in sitting position, to have two feet on the surface at the same time and balance the motorcycle during stopping and standing
  • (11) adapted foot rest
  • (12) adapted hand grip
• 45 motorcycle only with sidecar
• 46 tricycles only
• 70 exchange of licence
• 71 duplicate of licence
• 78 restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
• 79 restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets
  • (02) restricted to category AM vehicles of the three-wheel or light quadricycle type
  • (03) restricted to tricycles

These restrictions are printed whenever a driver retains implied C1/D1 (NFHR) Not for hire or reward (<8250) not more than 8,250 kg

• 97 not authorised to drive category C1 which falls within the scope of Council Regulations (EC) NO 561/2006 on tachographs in road transport
• 101 not for hire or reward
• 102 drawbar trailers only
• 105 not more than 5.5m long
• 106 restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions
• 107 not more than 8,250kg
• 108 subject to minimum age requirements
• 110 limited to invalid carriages
• 111 limited to 16 passenger seats
• 113 limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics
• 114 with any special controls required for safe driving
• 115 organ donor
• 118 start date is for earliest entitlement
• 119 weight limit does not apply
• 121 restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State’s notice
• 122 valid on successful completion: compulsory basic training (CBT)
• 123 limited to not more than 5.5m long except for automatics
• 124 limited to drawbar trailers only except for automatics
• 125 tricycle

Changing Your Provisional Driving Licence For A Full Driving Licence

When you pass your driving test, you are legally allowed to drive as a full driving licence holder immediately

The examiner will give you a pass certificate, which acts as your evidence of entitlement to drive until you exchange your provisional driving licence for a full driving licence.

When you pass your driving test, providing your name and address are the same as shown on your provisional driving licence, the examiner can offer you the option of having your new full driving licence being sent to you automatically.

The examiner will take your provisional driving licence from you, and arrange for a new full driving licence to be sent to you.

You cannot use the option of having your full driving licence being issued automatically if either your name or address is different from that shown on your provisional driving licence.

You also might choose not to use the automatic service if for example, you need to retain your provisional driving licence temporarily to use as a form of Identification.

If you do not use the automatic service to exchange your provisional driving licence for a full driving licence, you will need to apply for your driving licence using form D1, which is available from post offices.

If you do not apply for your full driving licence within two years of passing your driving test, a full driving licence will not be issued, and you would need to pass both the theory and practical driving tests again.

Driving Licence Renewal

A driving licence usually has to be renewed every 10 years, the renewal date is shown as item 4b, there are some circumstances that result in shorter renewal periods.

Updating Your Details On Your Driving Licence

It is a legal requirement that your personal details are kept up to date on your driving licence.

Any change of name or address must be notified to DVLA, failing to update your driving licence could result in a fine of up to £1000.

This guide has been prepared by Sandwell Automatic Driving School, and is intended to provide general information to help drivers to understand Driving Licences and to stay legal; whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not intended to be a legal guide.

Pages in the Law and Documentation A Drivers Guide section of the Sandwell Automatic Driving School website:

Sections of the Sandwell Automatic Driving School website: