Physical description
Size: 86 x 54 mm
Format: ID-1
Material: Polycarbonate
Colour: Pink
Distinctive features: There are two versions available; one English-only version, plus a Bilingual (English/Welsh) version
Security features
Changing Images
- Location: Front of Photo Card Licence - Bottom left hand corner, white box
- Characteristics: Blue road sign changing to a black triangle. Another security feature is personalised, the last five characters of the driver number changing to the month and year of the photo expiry which appear and disappear depending on how you tilt the licence
- Method of verification: Titling the licence back and forth at various angles
Holographic Feature
- Location: Front of Photo Card licence
- Characteristics: This is a steering wheel
- Method of verification: Titling the licence back and forth at various angles
Tactile Engraving
- Location: On front of photo card driving licence - Surname details, categories
- Characteristics: This process involves burning the data into the card for a longer period than normal; these results in the text rising up above the surface of the card
- Method of verification: Can be felt by running your finger across the licence. You can feel the raised characters
Laser Engraved Photograph
- Location: Photograph on front of photo card driving licence
- Characteristics: Laser engraving technology is highly secure as a black and white he image is burnt into different layers of the card and it cannot be changed. Note: DVLA will still require that a full colour photograph be provided by customers to keeper on our records
Security Background Design Overlapping with Photograph
- Location: Front of photo card driving licence -over the area where the photograph is engraved
- Characteristics: This security feature has the rainbow print lines and the complex background pattern converging over the area where photo is engraved
- Method of verification: Clearly visible
Optically Variable Ink
- Location: Back of photo card driving licence
- Characteristics: Changing colours is a printing feature that changes in colour depending on the angle of inspection. A colour tone that is clearly visible to the naked eye i.e. gold to green
- Method of verification: When the card is tilted colour change is clearly visible
Unique Number
- Location: Back of photo card driving licence - bottom right hand side
- Characteristics: White box with a unique number. All cards are pre-numbered by the card manufacturer. These are laser engraved onto the card prior to delivery to DVLA, each number is unique
- 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