Physical description
Size: 86 x 54 mm
Format: ID-1
Material: Polycarbonate
Colour: Pink
Particularities: There are two versions available; one English-only version, plus a Bilingual (English/Welsh) version
Security features
Roundel motif
- Location: On the front of the photo card driving licence. The rounded motif overlaps both the photographic and ghosted images
- Characteristics: This colour fading seal is printed in yellow pastel colours and contains the letters DVLA. This prevents photograph substitution and accurate photocopying
- Method of verification: Clearly visible
Optical variable ink
- Location: Bottom part of front of photo card driving licence
- Characteristics: The text DVLA is repeated in optical variable ink and at regular frequency across the bottom part of the card. The variable colour shift is gold. This prevents photocopying and simulation
- Method of verification: Tilting the licence back and forth at various angles. Also, the colour shifts as the viewing angle is changed, assisting with validation of the card
A multi-coloured repeating Ultra Violet feature
- Location: On front of photo card driving licence
- Characteristics: This takes the form of the Royal coat of arms and is printed in red, yellow and green UV inks. This prevents accurate photocopying
- Method of verification: Visible under a UV lamp
Pastel background with white lettering
- Location: All over front of card driving licence
- Characteristics: Any attempt to remove text will produce white patches. The words “driving Licence” in the languages of the various member states is printed in white lettering in a swirling pattern
- Method of verification: Titling the licence back and forth at various angles
Fine line print
- Location: Over photograph on front of card driving licence
- Characteristics: Fine solid lines are printed over the photographic image to prevent photo substitution
- Method of verification: Clearly visible
Optical variable ink
- Location: Back of the photo card driving licence
- Characteristics: The text DVLA is repeated in optical variable ink and at regular frequency across the back of the card, except for the majority of the white barcode area. The variable colour shift is gold. This prevents photocopying and simulation
- Method of verification: Tilting the licence back and forth at various angles. Also, the colour shifts as the viewing angle is changed, assisting with validation of the card
Ultra Violet feature
- Location: On the back of photo card driving licence
- Characteristics: This takes the form of a green DVLA logo
- Method of verification: Visible under a UV lamp
Pastel background with repeating pattern
- Location: On the back of the driving licence
- Characteristics: The card has a pastel pink background colour achieved by a fine line print process with a repeating DVLA logo making up the design across the card
- Method of verification: Clearly visible
Legend
- 1 Surname of the holder
- 2 Other name(s) of the holder
- 3 Date and place of birth
- 4a Date of issue of the licence
- 4b Date of expiry of the licence
- 4c Name of the issuing authority
- 5 Number of licence
- 6 Photograph of the holder
- 7 Signature of the holder
- 8 Permanent place of residence
- 9 category(ies) of vehicle(s) the holder is entitled to drive
- 10 Date of first issue of each category(ies)
- 11 Date of expiry of each category
- 12 Additional information/restriction(s)
Categories & Codes
Categories
For more information on the corresponding categories, please check the Commission decision on equivalence.
Category |
Period of validity* |
---|---|
A1, A, B1, B, BE |
Until 70; above 70: 3 years (*see comment 2) |
C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE |
Until 45; 45 - 65: 5 years; above 65: 1 year |
*This refers to the administrative validity of the document and does not necessarily reflect the holder’s right to drive.
National categories
National category |
Description of national category |
---|---|
A |
Motor bicycle (with or without side-car) but excluding any vehicle included in category K or P |
B1 |
Motor tricycles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 500 kg and an engine capacity greater than 50 cc but excluding any vehicle included in category K, L and P |
B |
Motor vehicle with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and not more than 8 seats in addition to the driver’s seat, not included in any other category and including such a vehicle drawing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg. |
C1 |
A sub-category of category C comprising motor vehicles having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. |
C |
Motor vehicles having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes, other than vehicles falling within category D, F, G or H, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. |
D1 |
A sub-category of category D comprising motor vehicles having more than eight but not more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat and including any such vehicle drawing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. |
D |
Motor vehicles constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. |
BE |
Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle is in category B but the combination does not fall within that category. |
C1E |
A sub-category of category C+E comprising combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where: (a) the tractor vehicle is in sub-category C1, (b) the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms but not the unladen weight of the tractor vehicle, and (c) the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes. |
CE |
Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle is in category C but the combination does not fall within that category. |
D1E |
A sub-category of category D+E comprising combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where: (a) the tractor vehicle is in sub-category D1, (b) the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms but not the unladen weight of the tractor vehicle, (c) the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes, and (d) the trailer is not used for the carriage of passengers. |
DE |
Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle is in category D but the combination does not fall within that category. |
F |
Agricultural or forestry tractors, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer but excluding any motor vehicle included in category H. |
G |
Road rollers. |
H |
Track-laying vehicles steered by their tracks. |
K |
Mowing machines which do not fall within category A and vehicles controlled by a pedestrian. |
L |
Motor vehicles propelled by electrical power. |
N |
Vehicles used for short distances on public roads. |
P |
Mopeds. |
Codes
National codes |
Description |
---|---|
101 |
Not for hire and reward |
102 |
Drawbar trailers only |
103 |
Subject to certificate of training |
107 |
Not more than 8250 kg |
108 |
Subject to minimum age requirements |
110 |
Limited to invalid carriages |
113 |
Limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics |
115 |
Organ donor |
118 |
Start date is for the earliest entitlement |
119 |
Weight limit does not apply |
Professional drivers
- Certificate of professional competence is issued : YES
- Code 95 is marked on the driving licence : NO