INS57P
7/11
Information on
driving
licences
For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/driving
Please check your photocard and
counterpart carefully and keep this
leaflet safe.
Contents
Your driving licence ..................................................3
What to do if you lose your photocard
licence or paper counterpart ............................................................ 3
How to renew your photocard
licence or photo ........................................................................................ 3
Changing your personal details ..................................................... 4
What to do when a licence holder dies .................................... 4
When a licence is no longer needed .......................................... 4
Your health .....................................................................4
Eyesight ...........................................................................................................5
General information ..................................................5
Your new, more secure driving licence .........................................5
The categories of vehicles ................................................................. 7
Information codes ................................................................................. 11
Foreign country codes ....................................................................... 13
Driving in other countries ....................................................................13
Learner drivers and provisional licence
holders ........................................................................... 14
Provisional licence conditions
and restrictions (cars) .......................................................................... 14
Entitlement for 16 year-olds ........................................................... 14
Applying for a full licence after passing your test ............ 14
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) ............................................... 15
Types of motorcycle for tests .......................... 15
Training to ride a large motorcycle (direct access) ........... 16
Minibuses, lorries and buses .......................... 16
Driving a minibus ................................................................................... 16
Driving a lorry or bus ........................................................................... 17
Supervising learner lorry and bus drivers .............................. 17
Towing trailers ............................................................................................18
Motorhomes ................................................................................................18
Vehicles which do not need lorry or bus entitlement .......18
Penalty points and disqualifications ........... 19
Penalty point codes ............................................................................. 20
Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring ............................ 23
Causing or allowing someone to commit an offence .... 23
Encouraging or persuading someone to commit
an offence ................................................................................................... 23
Non-Endorsable Offences ............................................................... 23
The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 ............................... 24
Mutual recognition of driving – penalty
points and disqualifications ............................................................ 25
Short-period disqualification (SPD) ........................................... 26
Further information ................................................ 26
The Data Protection Act (DPA) and you ................................. 26
Freedom of Information Act 2000 explained ........................ 26
Where to get more advice on driving licences .................... 27
DVLA service standards ..................................................................... 27
How to become a blood donor .................................................... 27
3
Your driving licence
Please check your photocard and paper counterpart
carefully. This is especially important if there is a mistake
in your name, address, date of birth or vehicle categories.
The address shown is in the format preferred by Royal
Mail and may not be identical to the one you gave on
your application form.
If there is anything wrong with the licence or paper
counterpart, send both parts back to us at DVLA, Swansea,
SA99 1BN. Include a letter explaining what is wrong.
Give your full name and date of birth or driver number
whenever you contact us about your licence. This helps
us to find your details.
We will send your licence and identity documents
separately. If you do not get your identity documents back
within two weeks of receiving your photocard licence,
please phone us on 0300 790 6801.
What to do if you lose your photocard
licence or paper counterpart
If the details on the photocard licence have not changed
and one or both parts have been lost or stolen, you can
apply for a replacement licence by phoning 0300 790 6801
between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, and between
8am and 2pm on Saturdays. We accept payment by Visa,
MasterCard, Maestro or Delta. This can also be done online
at www.direct.gov.uk/replacelicence
Or you can apply for a replacement licence using form
‘Application for a driving licence’ (D1), which is available to
order as a pack from www.direct.gov.uk/motoringforms
and to pick up at Post Office
®
branches.
If your photocard licence or the paper counterpart
has been lost or stolen you should also tell the
police. If you lose either your photocard or your paper
counterpart, we will issue replacements of both parts.
You need to send any part you still hold back to us.
How to renew your photocard
licence or photo
Photocard driving licences are only valid for up to
10 years. The expiry of the photo on a drivers’ licence
does not affect the validity period of the entitlement
shown on the licence. You will need to renew the photo
on your photocard licence at least every 10 years to
keep your photo up to date. We will send you a reminder
when your photo is due to be renewed, you may have
to pay a fee. After the age of 70, you will have to update
your photo once only. This will be when you renew your
actual licence. We will send a reminder for this. If you
have to renew your licence more regularly (for example,
for medical reasons or because you are entitled to drive
4
buses or lorries) you will not have to renew your photo
each time you renew your licence. We will send you a
reminder when your photo or licence is due for renewal.
Changing your personal details
You must immediately tell us about any change
to your personal details.
To change your address you must fill in the section
provided on the paper counterpart. The address must be
one in Great Britain where we can contact you at any time
(we do not accept PO box addresses). This can also be
done online at www.direct.gov.uk/changeofaddress
Send both your photocard and paper counterpart to us at
DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BN.
If your name has changed you will need to fill in
form D1 which is available to order from
www.direct.gov.uk/motoringforms or to pick up at
Post Office
®
branches and send it to us. You will also
need to send proof of your new name.
You could be fined up to £1000 if you do not tell us about
these changes.
What to do when a licence holder dies
If you are responsible for dealing with the estate of the
person who has died, send their photocard and paper
counterpart to us at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB.
To prevent any unnecessary correspondence which may
cause distress, please send a covering letter that includes
the full name, address and date of birth or driver number
of the person who has died and the date they died. You
do not need to send in the death certificate. If the
licence is not available, a letter giving the driver number
or full name and date of birth will be sufficient.
When a licence is no longer needed
If you no longer want to drive you should return your
licence to us at DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AB. Include
a letter explaining that you no longer want a licence.
Your health
You must let us know if you have ever had, or currently
suffer from, any medical condition that could affect your
ability to drive. If you need to tell us that you have a medical
condition you will need to fill in a questionnaire that you
can get from www.direct.gov.uk/driverhealth or we can
send you one by calling 0300 790 6806 (car drivers and
motorcyclists) or 0300 790 6807 (lorry and bus drivers).
You can find information about relevant health conditions
on our website at www.direct.gov.uk/driverhealth or
in our ‘Driving licences’ (D100) booklet – which you can
download from www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleaflets and
is also available to pick up at Post Office
®
branches.
5
Eyesight
A new format for number plates was introduced on
1 September 2001. This means that the characters
displayed on all new and replacement number plates must
be 50mm wide instead of 57mm wide.
To drive you must be able to read a number plate, in
good daylight, from 20.5 metres (67 feet) for old-style
characters or 20 metres (65 feet) for new-style characters.
If you need to wear glasses or corrective lenses to do this,
you must wear them every time you drive.
There are higher eyesight standards for those who drive
medium or large vehicles, minibuses or buses.
Bioptics (telescope) are not currently acceptable for use
while driving in Great Britain and it is not acceptable to
use a Bioptic device to meet the prescribed eyesight
standard. A Bioptic device cannot be used to pass the
number plate test.
Further information is available in our ‘Driving licences’
(D100) booklet or from www.direct.gov.uk/driverhealth
If you have any questions about standards for
eyesight, or any other medical condition, you can
contact us in the following ways:
By phoning 0300 790 6806 between 8am and 5.30pm
Monday to Friday, and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have a textphone
you should phone 0300 123 1278. This number will
not respond to an ordinary phone.
By sending an email to [email protected].uk
By writing to DVLA, Drivers Medical Unit, Swansea,
SA99 1TU.
By sending a fax to 0845 850 0095.
When you contact us, please give your full name and
address, and your date of birth or driver number.
Also give us as much information as possible about
your medical condition.
General information
Your driving licence
Your driving licence is made up of a photocard and a
paper counterpart. The photocard will show your photo,
signature and the categories of vehicle you are entitled
to drive. The paper counterpart will show the vehicles
you are entitled to drive as a learner, driving offences
and other relevant information.
The new licence has improved security features not
available on the older licence. One of the main differences
between the two is the new version has a black and
white photo while the older version had a colour one.
If you have to show your licence to the police you
should show them the photocard and the paper
counterpart. You should not cover the photocard
or paper counterpart with any stickers.
An example of the front of a photocard licence
6
A letter L on the provisional photocard
confirms that the holder is a learner driver.
The symbol is shown on all provisional
photocard driving licences we have issued
since September 1999.
Date of birth
Name
Place of birth
Black and
white photo
Issuing authority
Date the photocard
licence runs out
Driver number
Holder’s permanent
address
Categories of vehicles
the licence is valid for
An example of the back of a full photocard licence
The steering wheel is a security
feature. It changes colour when
viewed at a different angle.
The date your entitlement to
drive a category of vehicle
starts. The ‘<’ = ‘earlier than’
symbol (if shown) means that
the date shown has been
worked out using the earliest
information available.
Information codes.
A description of the
codes is shown on
page 11 and 12.
Unique card
identifier, used to
link the photocard
and the counterpart
document.
The date your entitlement to drive each
category of vehicle ends. The last two
figures refer to the year (for example, 34
is 2034). Categories you have provisional
entitlement to drive are shown on the
paper counterpart document.
7
An example of a counterpart document
Barcode.
(Front)
Your driver number.
Full Licence Holders:
Categories of vehicle
you are entitled to drive
provisionally (that is, before
you pass the relevant test).
Provisional Licence
Holders: Your entitlement
will not show on the D740
(paper counterpart) only
on the plastic photocard
licence.
Entitlement history (that is,
previous entitlement which
has been replaced by a
higher category).
Endorsements (as supplied
by the convicting court).
The counterpart also has
an area for you to tell us
about a change of address.
(Both the photocard and
counterpart must be
returned in this case).
(Back)
Signature box for confirming change
of address.
We no longer issue plastic
wallets with photocard
driving licences.
We cannot return old plastic
wallets sent in to us.
The categories of vehicle
Maximum weights
Except for category B1, all weights quoted in the table
on pages 8, 9 and 10 relate to ‘maximum authorised
mass’ (MAM). This is the total weight of the vehicle
when loaded. It may also be described as the ‘gross
vehicle weight’.
This is normally shown on a plate fitted to the vehicle.
Descriptions of vehicle categories
Category Description Minimum
age
Notes
A1
Motorcycles
Light motorcycles with an engine
size of up to 125cc and a power
output of up to 11kW (14.6bhp).
17
A
Medium-sized motorcycles up
to 25kW (33bhp) and a power to
weight ratio of up to 0.16kW/kg.
Motorcycles with a sidecar and
a power to weight ratio of up to
0.16kW/kg.
17
A
Any size motorcycle, with or
without a sidecar if you have
completed the large motorcycle
Direct Access Scheme.
21 See note 1
B1 Three or four-wheeled
light vehicles
Motor tricycles, quadricycles and
three or four wheeled vehicles with
an unladen weight no more than
550kg.
17 See note 2
B Cars
Motor vehicle with a MAM of up
to 3,500kg, no more than eight
passenger seats with or without
a trailer weighing no more than
750kg.
As category B but with a trailer
weighing more than 750kg. The
total weight of the vehicle and
trailer together can’t weigh more
than 3,500kg. The weight of the
trailer, when fully loaded, can’t
weigh more than the unladen
weight of the vehicle.
17 See note 2
B auto Automatic cars
As category B with automatic
transmission.
17 See note 2
B+E Cars with trailers
As category B but with a heavier
trailer that isn’t covered in the
descriptions for category B.
17 See note 9
8
9
Category Description Minimum
age
Notes
C1 Medium-sized vehicles
Vehicles weighing between 3,500kg
and 7,500kg, with or without a
trailer weighing no more than
750kg.
18 See note
9
C1+E Medium-sized vehicles
with trailers
As category C1 but with a trailer
weighing more than 750kg. The
total weight of the vehicle and
the trailer can’t weigh more than
12,000kg. The weight of the trailer,
when fully loaded, can’t weigh
more than the unladen weight of
the vehicle.
21 See notes
3, 4 and 9
C Large vehicles
Vehicles over 3,500kg, with a trailer
up to 750kg.
21 See note 4
C+E Large vehicles with trailers
As category C but with a trailer
over 750kg.
21 See note 4
D1 Minibuses
Vehicles with a minimum of nine
and a maximum of 16 passenger
seats, with or without a trailer
weighing no more than 750kg.
21 See notes
5 and 9
D1+E Minibuses with trailers
As category D1 but with a trailer
over 750kg. The total weight of
the vehicle and the trailer together
can’t weigh more than 12,000kg.
The weight of the trailer, when fully
loaded, can’t weigh more than the
unladen weight of the vehicle.
21 See notes
5 and 9
D
Buses
Any bus with more than eight
passenger seats, with a trailer up
to 750kg.
21 See notes
5 and 8
10
Category Description Minimum
age
Notes
D+E Buses with trailers
As category D but with a trailer
over 750kg.
21 See note 5
and 8
f
Agricultural tractors 17 See note 6
g
Roadrollers 21 See note 7
h
Tracked vehicles 21 See notes
4 and 10
k
Mowing machines or vehicles
controlled by someone on foot
16
p
Mopeds with an engine size of up
to 50cc and a maximum speed of
up to 50km/h.
16
Note 1
You can ride a large motorcycle at any age, two years
after passing a test on a medium-size motorcycle.
Note 2
Age 16 if you are currently getting Disability Living
Allowance at the higher rate (mobility component).
Note 3
You can drive at age 18 if you had your driving licence
before 10 September 2009 and the weight of the vehicle
and trailer together is under 7,500kg.
Note 4
You can drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed
services. You can drive at 18 if one of the following apply:
•
you passed your driving test and Driver Certificate
of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) initial
qualification
•
you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this
category or Driver CPC initial qualification
•
you are taking a national vocational training course to
get a Driver CPC initial qualification, or
•
you had your driving licence before 10 September
2009, you must take the CPC periodic training within
5 years of this date.
Note 5
You can drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed
forces.
You can drive these vehicles at age 18 if one of the
following apply:
(
i) You are learning to drive or taking a PCV test or Driver
CPC initial qualification
(ii) Having passed a PCV driving test and Driver CPC
initial qualification, you can drive under any of the
following conditions:
11
• driving on a regular service where the route doesn’t
exceed 50km
• not engaged in the carriage of passengers, and
• driving a vehicle of a class included in
sub-category D1.
(iii) Having passed a PCV test before 10 September 2008
and driving under a bus operator’s licence, or minibus
permit, or community bus permit and any of the
following conditions:
• driving on a regular service where the route doesn’t
exceed 50km
• not engaged in the carriage of passengers, and
• driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1.
You can drive at age 20 after passing a PCV driving test
and Driver CPC initial qualification.
For further advice you can contact the Driving Standards
Agency by phoning 0300 200 1122 or by email at
Note 6
At 16 you can drive tractors less than 2.45m wide. The
tractor must only pull trailers less than 2.45m wide with
two wheels, or four wheels that are close-coupled.
Note 7
At 17 you can drive small roadrollers with metal or hard
rollers. They must not be steam powered, weigh more
than 11.69 tonnes or be made for carrying loads.
Note 8
You need category D entitlement to drive an articulated
bus (for example, a ‘bendibus’). You can get more details
from us.
Note 9
If you passed your test for category B or B automatic
before 1 January 1997 your licence will already show
entitlement to C1, C1E (8.25 tonnes), D1 and D1E (not for
hire or reward).
Note 10
You can drive at 17 if the Maximum Authorised Mass
of the tracked vehicle is not more than 3,500kg.
Information codes
Listed below are descriptions of the information codes
on your driving licence. These 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
12
25 modified accelerator systems
30 combined braking and accelerator 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) (adjusted) hand operated brake (front wheel)
(3) (adjusted) foot operated brake (back wheel)
(4) (adjusted) accelerator handle
(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 road at the same time
45 motorcycle only with sidecar
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
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 8250kg
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
120 complies with health standard for category D1
121 restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary
of State’s notice
122 valid on successful completion: Basic Moped
Training Course (CBT)
123 limited to not more than 5.5m long except for
automatics
124 limited to drawbar trailers only except for automatics
Foreign country codes
The relevant codes will appear in the ‘Information codes’
section of the driving licence if you have exchanged your
licence from any of these countries for a GB licence.
Italy ........................................ I
Japan ..................................... J
Jersey
...............................GBJ
Latvia
................................... LV
Liechtenstein.......................FL
Lithuania
.............................. LT
Luxembourg
.......................... L
Malta
.....................................M
Monaco
.............................. MC
Netherlands
........................ NL
New Zealand
...................... NZ
Norway.................................. N
Poland
..................................PL
Portugal
.................................P
Republic of Korea
........... ROK
Romania
.............................RO
Singapore
.........................SGP
Slovakia
.............................. SK
Slovenia
............................SLO
South Africa .......................ZA
Spain ......................................E
Sweden
..................................S
Switzerland.........................CH
Zimbabwe
.......................... ZW
Driving in other countries
Visiting another country
Your GB licence allows you to drive in all other countries
in the European Community (EC) or European Economic
Area (EEA). Check with a motoring organisation if you
want to drive in a country that is not in the EC or EEA.
They will tell you whether you need an International
Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs are issued by the AA, the RAC
and the Post Office
®
.
You must live in Great Britain, have passed a driving test
and be over 18.
Moving to another country
If you move to another country, you should get
information about driving there from the relevant
authority in that country.
If you return here from a country that is not in the EC or
EEA and you do not have a GB licence, you may:
•
drive for up to 12 months on a valid licence that is not
a GB licence; or
•
apply for a replacement of your previous GB licence
by paying the appropriate fee and giving up any
foreign licence you hold.
Australia ..........................AUS
Austria
..................................A
Barbados
......................... BDS
Belgium
................................B
British Virgin Islands
...... VGB
Bulgaria ..............................BG
Canada ........................... CDN
Cyprus
............................... CY
Czech Republic
................ CZ
Denmark
............................ DK
Estonia
..............................EST
Falkland Islands
................FK
Faroe Islands ..................... FO
Finland
...............................FIN
France
................................... F
Germany
............................... D
Gibraltar
..........................GBZ
Greece
............................... GR
Guernsey
........................ GBG
Hong Kong
........................ HK
Hungary
................................H
Iceland
................................. IS
Ireland
................................ IRL
Isle of Man
.....................GBM
13
14
Learner drivers and provisional
licence holders
Provisional licence conditions and
restrictions (cars)
Learner drivers must be supervised. To supervise a
learner driver you must be at least 21 and have a current
full Great Britain (GB), Northern Ireland or European
Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA) driving
licence, which you must have held for at least three years.
Learner drivers must have ‘L’ plates on the vehicle they
are driving and the plates must be clearly visible from the
front and back of the vehicle. In Wales, learner drivers
can use ‘D’ plates on their vehicles instead of ‘L’ plates
(in other parts of Britain all learner drivers must have ‘L’
plates, even if they are also using ‘D’ plates).
If you:
• have provisional entitlement to drive cars with trailers
(category B+E) and have passed a test for car
(category B); or
• hold unrestricted provisional entitlement to drive
a lorry or bus, and you got that entitlement after
1 January 1997;
you may drive on the motorway as long as you are
supervised and are displaying ‘L’ plates. If you do not
meet these conditions you could be fined up to £1000,
be disqualified (banned) from driving or have three to six
penalty points on your licence.
Entitlement for 16 year-olds
If you are 16, provisional category B entitlement (motorcar)
will be shown on your licence but it will not be valid until
your 17th birthday (age 16 if you receive a Disability Living
Allowance (mobility component) at the higher rate).
Applying for a full licence after
passing your test
Once you have passed a driving test you must send
the test pass certificate to us in order to claim your new
entitlements on your driving licence.
You must return your current driving licence. If you are
unable to return your driving licence please complete
‘Application for a driving licence’ (D1) and tell us why in
section 1.
If your name is correct on your photocard driving
licence, you may be able to have a new licence issued
automatically once you pass your driving test. Your driving
examiner will tell you if you qualify for this.
1515
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
Provisional licence for motorcycles
All learner riders must complete a CBT course before
riding a moped or motorcycle on the road.
You do not need to complete CBT if:
• you have already got full moped entitlement as a result of
passing a moped test on or after 1 December 1990; or
• you have already got a full licence for one class
of motorcycle entitlement and want to upgrade to
another. (For example, if you are entitled to ride light
motorcycles, (category A1), you do not need to repeat
CBT to get a provisional category A entitlement).
However, you will need to take a further training course on
the larger machine if your full licence limits you to riding
modified motorcycles and you want to ride motorcycles
that haven’t been modified.
If you have any questions about CBT, phone the Driving
Standards Agency on 0115 936 6547 and ask for the
CBT section.
Full car driving licence holders
riding mopeds
Since 1 February 2001, a person who has passed a
driving test for a car, must take a CBT riding course
before they can ride a moped on the road.
People who passed a car test before 1 February 2001
do not need to take training before riding a moped on
the road, but we encourage them to do so.
Motorcycle specification for learner riders
Learner riders can ride motorcycles with an engine size of
up to 125cc and a power output of up to 11kW (14.6bhp).
Types of motorcycle for tests
Riders under 21
A learner motorcycle rider under 21 can take two types of test.
• Category A1 light motorcycle – this allows you to ride
motorcycles up to 125cc (11kW/14.6 bhp).
• Category A – this allows you to ride any motorcycle
with a power output of up to 25kW (33bhp) and a
power to weight ratio of no more than 0.16kW for
every kg. You will be entitled to ride larger powered
motorcycles after two years of passing your test.
Riders over 21
Learner motorcyclists aged 21 or over can choose to:
• take one of the tests set out above for riders under 21;
or
• take a test to ride bikes over 25kW.
16
Training to ride a large motorcycle
(direct access)
So that learners aged 21 or over can practise for the test
for large motorcycles, they can ride any motorcycle on the
road when accompanied (on another motorcycle) by an
approved motorcycle instructor.
The practical test can only be taken by riders aged 21 or over
and completed on a motorcycle of at least 35kW (46.6bhp).
Minibuses, lorries and buses
Driving a minibus
If you were entitled as a full driver to drive cars before 1
January 1997 (group A or B on old-style licences or category
B on new-style licences) you can drive a minibus as long as:
• you are 21 or over;
• the minibus has no more than 16 passenger seats;
and
• you are not using the minibus to carry fare-paying
passengers for profit.
If you are 70 or over, or have a short-period licence
for medical reasons you will be allowed to drive these
vehicles only if you meet the higher medical standards.
To drive a minibus with over eight passenger seats,
or to carry fare-paying passengers, you will normally
need entitlement under category D1 or D. To get this
you must meet higher medical standards and take a
further driving test.
Since January 1998, your minibus entitlement will remain
valid in the UK and on temporary visits abroad until your
licence is next renewed at the age of 70. When this happens,
your minibus entitlement (category D1 and D1+E not for
hire or reward) can only be issued if you make a special
application which will involve meeting higher medical
standards. You will need to fill in form ‘Application for a lorry
or bus driving licence’ (D2) and provide a filled-in ‘Medical
Examination Report’ (D4). You can get both forms from us,
Traffic Area Offices and DVLA local offices.
The D4 is available to download from our website at
www.direct.gov.uk/motoringforms and you can also
order a D2 application pack online.
In general, category B driving licences (cars) have to
be renewed when drivers reach the age of 70. Younger
drivers with declared medical conditions will also be
affected by the rules when their licences are renewed.
But all holders of category B driving licences may drive
minibuses in the circumstances explained below.
If your driving licence does not allow you to drive minibuses
(does not show category D1), there are certain circumstances
where you may still be able to do so.
17
You may drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats as
long as:
• you are driving for social purposes for a
non-commercial body but do not make a profit;
• you are 21 or over;
• you have held a category B driving licence for at least
two years;
• you are providing your services on a voluntary basis;
and
• the minibus weighs no more than 3.5 tonnes (not
including any specialist equipment for carrying
disabled passengers) or no more than 4.25 tonnes
in certain circumstances.
When driving a minibus under these conditions you:
• must not receive any payment other than your
out-of-pocket expenses;
• must not tow any trailer; and
• can only drive in GB.
If you are 70 or over you will need to make a special
application which involves meeting higher medical
standards.
Note: you cannot take a minibus permit abroad if it is
used to make a profit unless you hold either bus D1 or
D entitlement (minibus permits allow some organisations
that give a service of benefit to the community, to make
a charge without having to comply with the full passenger
carrying vehicle entitlement (bus) operator licensing
requirements and without the need for their drivers
to have bus entitlement).
If you need more information you can download
leaflet – ‘Driving a minibus’ (INF28) from
www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleaflets or get a copy
from us.
Driving a lorry or bus
You must pass a driving test in a car before you take
a test for either of these categories.
If you want to drive lorries you must get category C
entitlement. To drive buses you must get category D
entitlement. You can apply for both entitlements. To do
this you must send us an ‘Application for a lorry or bus
licence’ (D2) together with a ‘Medical Examination Report’
(D4) filled in by a doctor. You must also take and pass a
driving test in a lorry or bus.
Supervising learner lorry and bus drivers
If you want to supervise a learner lorry or bus driver you
will need to meet either of the following conditions.
• You must have held a full licence for the category of
vehicle you are travelling in for at least three years; or
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• you must have held a full licence for the category of
vehicle you are travelling in for at least one year and
have held a full licence in the other category (lorry or
bus as appropriate) for at least three years.
For example, a person supervising a bus learner driver
must either have held a full bus licence for at least three
years, or a full lorry licence for three years and a full bus
licence for at least one year.
As of 6 April 2010, the supervising driver in category C1 or
D1 vehicles (including trailer combinations) must:
• hold a full (post 1997) licence for the same category of
vehicle being driven by the learner, and
• have held that right for the relevant period of time –
usually three years*.
* Those who pass the relevant driving test(s) before 6 April
2010 will also be considered to have held that right for the
length of time required.
You can get more information on supervising a learner lorry
or bus driver from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Visit
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring or phone 0115 936 6666.
Towing trailers
If you want to tow a heavy trailer, you must first pass a test
in the vehicle you would be using to tow the trailer.
Learner drivers in categories B, C1, C, D1 and D cannot
tow any trailer of any size.
If you need more information on entitlement to tow
trailers, read leaflet ‘Driving licence requirements for
towing trailers in Great Britain’ (INF30). You can download
the leaflet from www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleaflets or
you can order it from us.
Motorhomes
When driving a motorhome it is the Maximum Authorised
Mass (the total weight of the vehicle plus the maximum
load it can carry) which is relevant to the driving
entitlement you need.
To drive a motorhome with a Maximum Authorised Mass of
between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you need a category C1 licence.
To drive a motorhome with a Maximum Authorised Mass
of over 7.5 tonnes, you need a category C licence.
Vehicles which do not need lorry
or bus entitlement
If you passed your category B or B automatic test before
1 January 1997 your licence will already show D1, D1+E
which can be driven, but not for hire or reward. Your
licence will also show entitlement C1, C1+E (not more
than 8250kg). There is no hire or reward restriction for C1,
C1+E. You normally need category C or D entitlement to
drive a large lorry or bus on the road.
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However, the following apply:
• Category D licence holders can drive bus recovery vehicles.
• Category C licence holders can also drive buses for
testing or repair, as long as they have held their full
licence for two years.
• Category B licence holders can drive some large
vehicles as long as they meet certain conditions.
You can get more information from leaflet ‘Large vehicles
you can drive using your car or lorry licence’ (INF52)
which you can download from
www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleaflets
Vehicles a person can drive without lorry or bus
entitlement include:
• steam powered vehicles;
• lorries built before 1 January 1960 and used unloaded
and not pulling a loaded trailer;
• road construction machines, industrial tractors,
agricultural motor vehicles, engineering equipment,
works trucks and digging machines;
• vehicles with an unloaded weight of up to 3.05 tonnes
and fitted with equipment for raising a disabled vehicle;
• buses more than 30 years old carrying no more than
eight passengers and not to make a profit;
• play buses and exhibition buses;
• any vehicle being driven away by the police; and
• vehicles used for carrying lifeboats.
Penalty points and disqualifications
If you do not surrender your licence to the court or
DVLA to update endorsement details, your licence could
be revoked and your entitlement to drive removed.
Penalty points and disqualifications
stay on the paper counterpart for the
following periods:
Penalty points and disqualifications are valid for either
three or 10 years depending on the offence, but stay
on your licence for an extra year. If you commit another
driving offence that might have to go to court, this
extra year allows any previous penalty points and
disqualifications (that were valid at the time of the offence)
to be taken into account by the court.
• 11 years from the date of the conviction for offences
relating to driving while under the influence of drink or
drugs, causing death by careless driving while under
the influence of drink or drugs, or causing death by
careless driving and failing to provide a specimen to
be tested.
• Four years from the date of the conviction for reckless or
dangerous driving and offences resulting in disqualification.
• Four years from the date of the offence in all other cases.
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After the appropriate period, you can apply to have your
penalty points taken off your paper counterpart by filling
in an ‘Application for a driving licence’ (D1) which you can
order from www.direct.gov.uk/motoringforms or get
from Post Office
®
branches. You will also need to send
us the photocard and paper counterpart.
Penalty point codes
The following is a guide to the number of penalty points
a court could give for offences. It does not reflect the fact
that some offences may lead to you being disqualified
from driving. These codes are recorded on licences from
information supplied by the courts. If you have any questions
about points you receive, contact the relevant court.
Code Accident offences Penalty
points
AC10 Failing to stop after an accident 5 to 10
AC20 Failing to give particulars or to report 5 to 10
an accident within 24 hours
AC30 Undefined accident offences 4 to 9
Disqualified driver
BA10 Driving while disqualified by order of court 6
BA30 Attempting to drive while disqualified
by order of court 6
Careless driving
CD10 Driving without due care and attention 3 to 9
CD20 Driving without reasonable 3 to 9
consideration for other road users
CD30 Driving without due care and 3 to 9
attention or without reasonable
consideration for other road users
CD40 Causing death through careless driving 3 to 11
when unfit through drink
CD50 Causing death by careless driving when 3 to 11
unfit through drugs
CD60 Causing death by careless driving with 3 to 11
alcohol level above the limit
CD70 Causing death by careless driving 3 to 11
then failing to supply a specimen for
alcohol analysis
CD80 Causing death by careless, or 3 to 11
inconsiderate driving
CD90 Causing death by driving: unlicensed, 3 to 11
disqualified or uninsured drivers
Construction and use offences
CU10 Using a vehicle with defective brakes 3
CU20 Causing or likely to cause danger 3
by reason of use of unsuitable vehicle
or using a vehicle with parts or
accessories (excluding brakes, steering
or tyres) in a dangerous condition
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Code Accident offences Penalty
points
CU30 Using a vehicle with defective tyres 3
CU40 Using a vehicle with defective steering 3
CU50 Causing or likely to cause danger by 3
reason of load or passengers
CU80 Breach of requirements as to control of 3
the vehicle, mobile telephones and so on
Reckless or dangerous driving
DD40 Dangerous driving 3 to 11
DD60 Manslaughter or culpable homicide 3 to 11
while driving a vehicle
DD80 Causing death by dangerous driving 3 to 11
DD90 Furious driving 3 to 9
Drink or drugs
DR10 Driving or attempting to drive with 3 to 11
alcohol level above limit
DR20 Driving or attempting to drive while 3 to 11
unfit through drink
DR30 Driving or attempting to drive then 3 to 11
failing to supply a specimen for
alcohol analysis
DR40 In charge of a vehicle while 10
alcohol level above limit
DR50 In charge of a vehicle while unfit 10
through drink
DR60 Failure to provide a specimen for 10
analysis in circumstances other
than driving or attempting to drive
DR70 Failing to provide specimen for breath test 4
DR80 Driving or attempting to drive when 3 to 11
unfit through drugs
DR90 In charge of a vehicle when unfit 10
through drugs
Insurance offences
IN10 Using a vehicle uninsured against third 6 to 8
party risks
Licence offences
LC20 Driving otherwise than in accordance with 3 to 6
a licence
LC30 Driving after making a false declaration 3 to 6
about fitness when applying for a licence
LC40 Driving a vehicle having failed to notify 3 to 6
a disability
LC50 Driving after a licence has been 3 to 6
revoked or refused on medical grounds
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Code Accident offences Penalty
points
Miscellaneous offences
MS10 Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position 3
MS20 Unlawful pillion riding 3
MS30 Play street offences (where a road has 2
been officially closed to vehicles to allow
it to be used as a ‘street playground’)
MS50 Motor racing on the highway 3 to 11
MS60 Offences not covered by other codes 3 to 6
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 6
of driver and so on
Motorway offences
MW10 Contravention of Special Road Regulations 3
(excluding speed limits)
Pedestrian crossings
PC10 Undefined Contravention of Pedestrian 3
Crossing Regulations
PC20 Contravention of Pedestrian Crossing 3
Regulations with moving vehicle
PC30 Contravention of Pedestrian Crossing 3
Regulations with stationary vehicle
Speed limits
SP10 Exceeding goods vehicle speed limit 3 to 6
SP20 Exceeding speed limit for type of vehicle 3 to 6
(excluding goods or passenger vehicles)
SP30 Exceeding statutory speed limit on 3 to 6
a public road
SP40 Exceeding passenger vehicle speed limit 3 to 6
SP50 Exceeding speed limit on a motorway 3 to 6
Traffic directions and signs
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 direction 3
of a constable warden
TS50 Failing to comply with a traffic sign 3
(excluding ‘Stop’ signs, traffic lights
or double white lines)
TS60 Failing to comply with a school 3
crossing patrol sign
TS70 Undefined failure to comply with a traffic 3
direction sign
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Special code
TT99 To signify a disqualification under ‘totting up’
procedure. If the total of penalty points reaches
12 or more within three years, the driver will be
disqualified. Note: The individual offences which
lead to this disqualification are removed from both
the drivers’ record and driving licence upon issue
of a new driving licence.
Theft or unauthorised taking
UT50 Aggravated taking of a vehicle 3 to 11
Aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring
A person who ‘aids, abets, counsels or procures’ another
person to commit an offence (that is helps or causes them
to commit an offence, or gives them advice on how to do
so) will be punished as if they had committed it. ‘Aiding,
and so on’ has its own offence code and is set apart from
the other offences in this leaflet.
Offences are coded as set out in section ‘penalty points
and disqualifications’, but with the 0 changed to 2 (for
example, LC20 becomes LC22). The penalty points for
the conviction are the same.
Causing or allowing someone
to commit an offence
Offences are coded as set out in section ‘penalty points
and disqualifications’, but with the 0 changed to 4 (for
example, LC20 becomes LC24). The penalty points for
the conviction are the same.
Encouraging or persuading someone
to commit an offence
Offences are coded as set out in section ‘penalty points
and disqualifications’, but with the 0 changed to 6 (for
example, DD40 becomes DD46). The penalty points for
the conviction are the same.
Non-endorsable offences
A non-endorsable offence is an offence which courts do
not endorse onto your paper counterpart. No penalty
points are attributed to these offences but these offences
do carry a period of disqualification. At the end of the
disqualification (56 days or over) you will have to apply for
a renewal licence together with the appropriate fee. The
offence codes detailed below are used by us to record the
offence on the drivers’ database so that the status of the
individual’s driving entitlement can be confirmed.
NE96 Disqualification imposed under the Child Support,
Pensions & Social Security Act 2000
NE97 Non-endorsable offence with a possible on-going
reduction in the disqualification period. Non endorsable
offence as a result of interim disqualification not
being sentenced within 6 months
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NE98 Non endorsable miscellaneous offences from
1 January 2004. Power under Section 146 of the
Power of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 to
order a defendant to be disqualified from driving −
Anti-Social Behaviour.
NE99 Replaced UT10, UT20, UT30 & UT40 after 30 June 1992.
The Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995
You will lose your licence if you get six or more penalty
points within two years of the following:
• Passing a first driving test in GB.
• Exchanging a licence issued in the EC, the Channel
Islands, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar. The two-year
period begins from the date you first passed a driving
test in your home country.
• Exchanging a driving licence from a designated country
and passing a GB driving test to gain additional driving
entitlements. The two year period begins from the date
you passed a driving test in GB.
Any valid penalty points you receive before the two-year period
before passing your test will count towards the total of six.
Points you get after the two-year period will also count if
you committed the offence during that period.
You cannot appeal against revocation under the Act. The
only thing you can appeal against is the conviction that
led to the penalty points. The relevant court will be able to
give you advice on how to appeal. Once the court tells us
you have made an appeal, we will not revoke (withdraw)
your licence while the appeal is continuing. If you accept a
fixed penalty notice you cannot appeal.
To get your full licence back, you must:
• get a provisional licence and drive as a learner; and
• pass the theory and practical tests again.
Passing the theory and practical tests does not remove the
penalty points from your licence, and if the total reaches
12 within three years you may be disqualified from driving.
High-risk offenders
If you have been disqualified for having a level of alcohol
in the body of:
• 87.5 microgrammes or more in every 100 millilitres
of breath;
• 200 milligrammes or more in every 100 millilitres
of blood; or
• 267.5 milligrammes or more in every 100 millilitres of urine;
or if you have:
• been disqualified twice within 10 years for
drink-driving; or
• been disqualified for failing to provide a specimen
for analysis.
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We will send you a letter before the disqualification
ends to explain that you will need to have a medical
examination to get your licence back.
Mutual recognition of driving – penalty
points and disqualifications between:
Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI)
Since 11 October 2004, the following has applied.
• Disqualifications given in Northern Ireland will apply
in Great Britain.
• As a result of a change in legislation, from April 2009
Northern Ireland licence holders will no longer need to
apply for a GB counterpart to take advantage of the
fixed penalty system as they had to do previously.
• A NI licence can be withdrawn under the Road Traffic
(New Drivers) Act 1995.
• A NI licence can be withdrawn because of a disability.
Similar rules came into force in Northern Ireland at the
same time as those made in Great Britain.
Isle of Man
Since 23 May 2005, disqualifications recognised between
Great Britain and Northern Ireland have also been
recognised in the Isle of Man.
This means that drivers disqualified from holding a driving
licence in Great Britain or Northern Ireland since 23 May
2005 will also be disqualified from driving, holding or
getting a driving licence in the Isle of Man.
Similarly, if a court in the Isle of Man disqualifies a driver
they will also be disqualified from driving in Great Britain
and Northern Ireland.
Offences recognised under mutual recognition
for GB licence holders
NI09 GB drivers disqualified in Northern Ireland
NR09 GB drivers revoked under the New Drivers Act
in Northern Ireland
QI09 GB drivers disqualified in Isle of Man.
Mutual recognition of driving –
disqualifications between:
United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland (IRL)
Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between
UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and IRL came
into force on 28 January 2010.
• A driver normally resident in UK but disqualified in
IRL will also be disqualified in UK. Likewise, a driver
normally resident in IRL but disqualified in UK will also
be disqualified in IRL.
• When DVLA or DVA(NI) is notified that a UK driver
has been disqualified in IRL the licence is endorsed
for a period of 4 years from the date of conviction.
• Disqualification as a result of accumulating penalty
points (totting-up) are not included in this scheme.
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Offences falling within 6 categories of driver
behaviour are mutually recognised between UK
and Ireland. These are:
MR09 Reckless or dangerous driving (whether or not
resulting in death, injury or serious risk).
MR19 Wilful failure to carry out the obligation placed on
drivers after being involved in road accidents (hit
and run).
MR29 Driving a vehicle while under the influence of
alcohol or other substance affecting or diminishing
the mental and physical abilities of the driver.
MR39 Driving a vehicle faster than permitted speed.
MR49 Driving a vehicle whilst disqualified.
MR59 Other conduct constituting an offence for which a
driving disqualification has been imposed by the
state of offence of a duration of 6 months or more.
Short-period disqualifications (SPD)
If you are disqualified for less than 56 days, the court will
stamp your paper counterpart and give it back to you. The
stamp will tell you how long you are disqualified for. You do
not need to renew your licence when the disqualification ends.
You can drive again the day after the disqualification ends.
Further information
The Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 and you
The DPA gives you the right to see the information we hold
about you. To see the information you should write to us,
enclosing a cheque for £5 (made payable to DVLA, Swansea) at:
Driving Licence Validation Team
Central Casework Group – Drivers
DVLA, Swansea SA6 7JL
You must include your full name, address, and driver number.
DVLA processes personal information in accordance with the
requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated
legislation. Your personal information will not be shared with
other government departments unless we are satisfied that
legal powers allow this. Personal data will not be shared with
private sector organisations for entitlement checking without
your consent.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 explained
Since 1 January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act (2000)
has given you a general right of access to information held by
public authorities.
To ask for information you should write to DVLA, Swansea
SA99 1AW or email: [email protected].uk
We will provide the information that we hold, unless it is
exempt, within 4 weeks. Examples of when information cannot
be released include where it would be sensitive to a business,
relates to security or law enforcement or if it relates to personal
information.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, public authorities have
to provide a ‘Publication Scheme’. This is simply a list of the
types of information that a public authority make routinely
available, and how you can access that information. DVLA’s
Publication Scheme can be found on our website at:
www.dvla.gov.uk/foi/DVLApublicationscheme.aspx
27
Where to get more advice on driving licences
If you have any questions about driving licences, you can find
more details on our website at:
www.direct.gov.uk/driverinfo and in booklet ‘Driving
licences’ (D100) which is also available on the website
or from Post Office
®
branches, DVLA local offices and Traffic
Area Offices.
You can also contact us in the following ways:
Phone (Customer Enquiries): 0300 790 6801 (lines
are open between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, and
between 8am and 2pm on Saturdays).
Fax: 0300 123 0784 (from the UK), + 44 1792 786369 (from
abroad)
Email go to: www.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla
We cannot provide driver numbers or personal information
from a driver’s record by email.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and have a textphone,
you should phone 0300 123 1278. This number will not
respond to an ordinary phone.
DVLA service standards
We aim to always give you the best possible service.
If you are not satisfied with our service, get in touch
with the person or section you have been dealing with.
If you would like a copy of our ‘Customer Service Guide and
what to do if things go wrong’ (INS101), contact Carole Evans
(contact details shown below) or download it from our website
at: www.direct.gov.uk/motoringleaflets
So we can monitor our service, please tell us:
• when we have done something well;
• if we have failed to meet our service standards;
• how we could improve our services; or
• if you have any comments on this or any other
DVLA document.
Please write to:
Carole Evans
Customer Services Manager
DVLA, Swansea SA7 0EE
Fax: 01792 766416 Email go to: www.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla
How to become a blood donor
The National Blood Service (NBS) collects blood
from nearly two million donors each year to deliver
to hospitals for them to use in life-saving operations.
The NBS depends on its donors to give blood regularly.
People are encouraged to become blood donors through
a national campaign based on the theme ‘Do something
amazing today. Save a life. Give blood’.
If you are interested in becoming a blood donor, or you want
to find out more details you can contact the NBS or the
Welsh Blood Service in the following ways:
Visit the website at: www.blood.co.uk or www.welshblood.org.uk
Phone: 0300 123 2323 or 0800 25 22 66 (Welsh Blood Service)
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