Guidance for Schools on
understanding and
checking driving licences
This document will enable you to:
ƒ Understand the information detailed on a UK
Driving Licence (paper or photo card licence)
ƒ Identify the category of vehicle entitlement.
ƒ Identify any penalty points.
2
“Old Type Licence”
Surname & Forename (s)
Category graphics
Licence
categories
Stamp (Shows
entitlement)
Information Codes
Start & end of entitlement
Date & Country
of birth
Date of issue
National
category
entitlement
Driver Number
(shows
entitlement
recognised by
EU)
Signature
(not valid without)
Previous licence history
Current Address
(entitlement is dependant on
the higher, associated
category being present in
the “stamp” column
Endorsements
Provisional entitlement
3
Photo Card Licence
ƒ Full Photo card Licences are Pink
ƒ Provisional Licences are Green
ƒ A Green & Pink paper counterpart is also issued
at the same time
ƒ The Licence must be renewed every 10 years
4
Photo Card Licence
National sign
Surname &
Forename (s)
Date & place
of birth
Date of issue
Date of
expiry
Other
Andy
Issue number
A N Other
Full licence categories
Capital letters- EC categories
Lower case – National categories
5
(on counterpart
this is followed
by a letter
Photo Card Licence
Start date
Categories
Expiry date
Information
codes which
apply to
adjacent
category
6
Paper Counterpart
Driver number (as on photo card)
Issue number on counterpart it will
be followed by a letter (e.g. 28 on
licence – 28A on counterpart
An Other
Nowhere
Someplace
Provisional entitlement
Endorsements
7
Categories of vehicle entitlement
Category
Minimum
age
A1
17
Motorcycles up to 25kW(33bhp) and a power to
weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg.
Motorcycle combination with a power to weight
ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg
A
17
Any size motorcycle with or without a sidecar
A
21
Description Motorcycles
Light motorcycles with a cubic capacity not
exceeding 125cc and a power output not
exceeding 11kW (14.6bhp)
8
Categories Restriction
Category
A1
A
Restriction
New licence holders limited to 25kW for the first 2
years of licence, unless large m/cycle test taken on
Direct / Accelerated access scheme
CBT before going on road for learners
9
Categories
Description
Cars with and without trailers
Category
Minimum
age
Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding
3500kg having not more than 8 passenger
seats with a trailer up to 750kg.
Combinations of towing vehicles in category B
and a trailer, where the MAM of the
combination does not exceed 3500kg and the
MAM of the trailer does not exceed the
unladen mass of the towing vehicle
B
17
As cars, but with automatic transmission
B
17
B+E
17
Combinations of vehicles consisting of a
vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the
combination does not come within category B
10
Categories Restriction
Category Restriction
B
B+E
Holders of full licence before 01.01.1997 retain
entitlement to B+E, C1, C1+E (8.25 tonnes), D1(not
for hire and reward), and D1+E (not for hire and
reward)
New drivers must hold Category B licence and take
separate test
11
Residents
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Ordinary licence holders
Provided their full licence remains valid, they can drive any
category of small vehicle shown on their licence for up to 12
months from the time they became resident. To ensure
continuous driving entitlement a provisional GB licence must have
been obtained and a driving test(s) passed before the 12 month
period elapses. If they obtain a provisional licence during this
period, they are not subject to provisional licence conditions e.g.
displaying `L' plates or being supervised by a qualified driver or
being precluded from motorways
However, if they do not pass a test within the 12 month
concessionary period you will not be allowed to drive as a full
licence holder and provisional licence conditions will apply
If they do not apply for a provisional licence within the first 12
months they must stop driving and obtain a British provisional
licence with a view to passing a driving test. Provisional licence
conditions will then apply
12
UK DRIVING LICENCE
Non-UK licences
Provided the licence remains valid you may drive in GB ƒ Ordinary licence holders
Until aged 70 or for 3 years after becoming resident whichever is
the longer period
ƒ Vocational licence holders
Until aged 45 or for 5 years after becoming resident whichever is
the longer period.
ƒ If you are aged over 45 (but under 65) until your 66th birthday or
for 5 years after becoming resident whichever is the shorter
period.
If you are aged 65 or over for 12 months after becoming resident.
In order to continue driving after these periods, a British
driving licence must be obtained.
13
Categories
Description
Medium sized vehicles with or without
trailers
Category
Minimum
age
Vehicles between 3500kg and 7500kg with
a trailer up to 750kg
C1
18
Combinations of vehicles where the towing
vehicle is in subcategory C1 and its trailer
has a MAM of over 750kg provided that the
MAM of the combination thus formed does
not exceed 12000kg and the MAM of the
trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of
the towing vehicle. (If you passed your
category B test prior to 1.1.1997 you will
be restricted to a total weight not more
than 8250kg)
C1+E
21
14
Categories
Description
Large vehicles with or without trailers
Category
Minimum
age
Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer up to
750k
C
21
Vehicles over 3500kg with a trailer over
750kg
C+E
21
15
Categories Restriction
Category
C
C+E
Restriction
All drivers have to take a separate test and meet
higher medical conditions
All drivers must hold full category C licence, take a
further test and meet higher medical conditions
C1
New drivers must hold Category B licence, take a
separate test and meet higher medical conditions
C1+E
New drivers must hold Category C1 licence and
take a further test
Holders of licence valid before 01.01.1997 limited
C1+E (8250 kgs) unless new test taken
16
Categories
Description
Minibuses with or without trailers
Category
Minimum
age
Vehicles with between 9 and 16 passenger
seats with a trailer up to 750kg
D1
21
Combinations of vehicles where the towing
vehicle is in subcategory D1 and its trailer
has a MAM of over 750kg, provided that
the MAM of the combination thus formed
does not exceed 12000kg, and the MAM of
the trailer does not exceed the unladen
mass of the towing vehicle
D1+E
21
17
Categories
Description
Buses with or without trailers
Category
Minimum
age
Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats
with a trailer up to 750kg
D
21
Any bus with more than 8 passenger seats
with a trailer over 750kg
D+E
21
18
Categories Restriction
Category
D
D+E
D1
C1+E
Restriction
All drivers have to take a separate test and meet
higher medical conditions
All drivers must hold full category D licence, take a
further test and meet higher medical conditions
All drivers have to take a separate test and meet
higher medical conditions
All driver must hold a Category D licence, and take a
further test.
This is small PSV licence
Passenger must not be carried in a trailer
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Driver Number
Driver Number: OTHER 511033 A99ZD
1st 5 characters of surname (if less than 5,
remainder made up of numbers)
OTHER
First and last digits = year of birth
5
3 = 1953
11 = November
Second and third= month of birth
Fourth and fifth = day of birth
03 = 3rd
In the case of a female 5 is added to the
second digit, this means that the second
digit will be a 5 or 6
0 = Male
1st 2 characters in last group = initials( is
only 1 initial, second digit is a number
A9= (only 1 initial)
Middle number of last group = tie breaker to
avoid duplication
Final 2 letters =validation
9 (can be 0-9)
ZD (can be any letter)
20
EC Countries
Austria,
Belgium,
Bulgaria,
Czech Republic,
Republic of Cyprus,
Denmark,
Estonia,
Finland,
France,
Germany,
Greece,
Hungary,
Iceland
Ireland,
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein,
Lithuania,
Luxembourg,
Malta,
Netherlands,
Norway,
Poland
Romania,
Portugal,
Slovenia,
Slovakia,
Spain,
Sweden,
United Kingdom.
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All other countries
ƒ
ƒ
Visitors
May drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and with up to
8 passenger seats, provided their full licence or
driving permit remains valid for up to 12 months
from the date of entering the United Kingdom.
However, they may only drive large vehicles which
have been registered outside GB and which they
have driven into the country
22
Vocational licence holders
ƒ
New residents may not drive large vehicles until they have passed
the relevant GB driving test. Driving test candidates are required
to pass a motor car (category B) test first before applying for
provisional entitlement for larger vehicles
23
Information Codes
Code
Restriction Codes on UK licences issued prior to
01.01.1997
1
Not for hire or reward
2
Draw bar trailers only
3
Subject to a CBT certificate
4
With suitably positioned mirrors
5
Not more then 5.5 metres long
*
Entitlement to draw a trailer not exceeding 750 kgs g.w.
6
Automatic transmission
7
Less than 8250 kgs
24
Information Codes
Code
Restriction Codes on UK licences issued prior to 01.01.1997
8
Subject to minimum age requirements
9
Controls adapted to suit disability
10
Limited to invalid carriages
11
Limited to 16 passenger seats
12
Motorcycle sidecar
13
Limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics
25
Information Codes
Code
EC codes (used throughout the EC)
01
Eyesight Correction
02
Hearing Aid
03
Artificial Limbs
04
Medical Certificate
05
Medical Restrictions
10
Modified controls / mirrors.
Also codes 15,20,25,30,35.40,452,43.55
26
Information Codes
Code
EC codes (used throughout the EC)
44
Motorcycle modification
45
Motorcycle combinations only
50,51,55 Restricted to specific vehicles
70
Exchange licence
71
Duplicate licence
76,77
78
79(..)
C1+E,D1+E
Automatic transmission
Misc. restriction shown in brackets
27
Information Codes
Code
National Codes (valid in UK only)
101
Not for hire or reward
102
Draw bar trailers only
103
Certificate of training
105
Not more than 5.5 metres long
106
Automatic transmission
107
Not exceeding 8250 kgs
108
Subject to minimum age requirements
110
Limited to invalid carriages
111
Limited to 16 passenger seats
28
Information Codes
Code
National Codes (valid in UK only)
113
Limited to 16 passenger seats except automatics
114
With any special controls
115
Organ donor
118
Start date is for earliest entitlement
119
Weight limit does not apply
122
Three wheelers only
29
Endorsement codes
Accident offences
Code
Offence
Penalty
points
AC10
Failing to stop after an accident
5-10
AC20
Failing to give particulars or to report an
accident within 24 hours
5-10
AC30
Undefined accident offences
4-9
Disqualified driver
Code
Offence
Penalty
points
BA10
Driving whilst disqualified by order of court
6
BA30
Attempting to drive while disqualified by
order of court
6
30
Endorsement codes
Careless driving
Code
Offence
Penalty points
CD10
Driving without due care and attention
3-9
CD20
Due care or without reasonable consideration
3-9
CD40
Causing death by careless driving when unfit
through drink
3-11
CD50
Causing death by careless driving when unfit
through drugs
3-11
CD60
Causing death by careless driving with alcohol
above limit
3-11
CD70
Causing death by careless driving then failing
to supply a specimen for analysis
3-11
CD71
Causing death by careless driving the failing
to supply a specimen for drug analysis
3-11
31
Endorsement codes
Construction and use offences
Code
Offence
Penalty points
CU10
Using vehicle with defective brakes
3
CU20
Causing or likely to cause danger by reason
of use of unsuitable vehicle or using a
vehicle with parts or accessories (excluding
brakes, steering or tyres) in a dangerous
condition
3
CU30
Using a vehicle with defective tyre (s)
3
CU40
Using a vehicle with defective steering
3
CU50
Causing or likely to cause danger by reason
of load or passengers
3
CU80
Using a mobile phone while driving a motor
vehicle
3
32
Endorsement codes
Reckless / dangerous driving
Code
Offence
Penalty points
DD40
Dangerous driving
3-11
DD60
Manslaughter or culpable homicide while
driving a vehicle
3-11
DD80
Causing death by dangerous driving
3-11
Insurance offences
Code
Offence
Penalty points
IN10
Using a vehicle uninsured against third party 6-8
risks
33
Endorsement codes
Drink and Drugs
Code
Offence
Penalty points
DR10
Driving or attempting to drive with alcohol
level above limit
3-11
DR20
Driving or attempting to drive while unfit
through drink
3-11
DR30
Driving or attempting to drive the failing to
supply a specimen for analysis
3-11
DR31
Driving or attempting to drive the failing to
supply a specimen for drug analysis
3-11
DR40
In charge of a vehicle while alcohol level
above limit
10
DR50
In charge of a vehicle while unfit through
drink
10
34
Endorsement codes
Drink and Drugs
Code
Offence
Penalty points
DR60
Failure to supply a specimen for analysis in
circumstances other than driving or
attempting to drive
10
DR61
Failure to supply a specimen for drug analysis
in circumstances other than driving or
attempting to drive
10
DR70
Failing to provide a specimen for breath test
4
DR80
Driving or attempting to drive when unfit
through drugs
3-11
DR90
In charge of a vehicle when unfit through
drugs
10
35
Endorsement codes
Licence offences
Code Offence
Penalty
points
LC20 Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
3-6
LC30 Driving after making a false declaration about
fitness when applying for a licence
3-6
LC40 Driving a vehicle having failed to notify a disability
3-6
LC50 Driving after a licence has been revoked or refused
on medical grounds
3-6
36
Endorsement codes
Motorway offences
Code
Offence
Penalty
points
MW10
Contravention of special roads regulations
(excluding speed limits)
3
37
Endorsement codes
Miscellaneous offences
Code
Offence
Penalty points
MS10
Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position
3
MS20
Unlawful pillion riding
3
MS30
Play street offences
2
MS50
Motor racing on the highway
3-11
MS60
Offences not covered by other codes
As appropriate
MS70
Driving with uncorrected defective eyesight
3
MS80
Refusing to submit to an eyesight test
3
MS90
Failure to give information as to identity of
driver etc
3
38
Endorsement codes
Pedestrian offences
Code
Offence
Penalty points
PC10
Undefined contravention of pedestrian
crossing regulations
3
PC20
Contravention of pedestrian crossing
regulations with a moving vehicle
3
PC30
Contravention of pedestrian crossing
regulations with stationary vehicle
3
Special code
Code
Offence
Penalty points
TT99
To signify a disqualification under totting-up procedure. If the
total of penalty points reaches 12 or more within three years,
the driver is liable to be disqualified.
39
Endorsement codes
Speed limits
Code
Offence
Penalty points
SP10
Exceeding goods vehicle speed limits
3-6
SP20
Exceeding speed limits for type of vehicle
(excluding goods or passenger vehicles)
3-6
SP30
Exceeding statutory speed limits on public road
3-6
SP40
Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit
3-6
SP50
Exceeding speed limit on a motorway
3-6
Theft or unauthorised taking
Code
Offence
Penalty points
UT50
Aggravated taking of a vehicle
3-11
40
Endorsement codes
Traffic direction and signs
Code
Offence
Penalty points
TS10
Failing to comply with traffic light signals
3
TS20
Failing to comply with double white lines
3
TS30
Failing to comply with a “Stop” sign
3
TS40
Failing to comply with a direction of a
constable / warden
3
TS50
Failing to comply with traffic sign (excluding
–stop-signs, traffic lights or double white
lines)
3
TS60
Failing to comply with a school crossing sign
3
TS70
Undefined failure to comply with a traffic
direction sign
3
41
Endorsements
The amount of time in which an endorsement remains on a licence
depends on the type of offence committed. The date in which the
endorsement starts also depends on the type of offence.
Endorsements must remain on a licence for 11 years from date of
conviction if the offence is:
ƒ Drinking/drugs and driving (shown on the licence as DR10, DR20,
DR30 and DR80).
ƒ Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of
drink/drugs (shown on the licence as CD40, CD50 and CD60).
ƒ Causing death by careless driving, then failing to provide a
specimen for analysis (shown on the licence as CD70).
42
Endorsements
Endorsements must remain on a licence for four years from date of
conviction if the offence is:
ƒ
ƒ
ƒ
Reckless/dangerous driving (shown on the licence as DD40, DD60
and DD80).
Offences resulting in disqualification.
Disqualified from holding a full licence until a driving test has been
passed.
Endorsements must remain on a licence for four years from the date
of offence in all other cases.
43