There are almost 41 million driving licences in the UK. Most of them entitle drivers to use cars or motorbikes, with a smaller number of drivers licensed to drive buses, trucks, or other vehicles. Many of us don’t think much about our driving licences, but those codes on the back can be really important when it comes to applying for a job which involves driving, or access to company vehicles. Driving licence checks are not just for professional driving jobs. It is usually a condition of motor insurance that an employer checks the licences of its drivers, even if they are using their own cars rather than a company vehicle. So, understanding the information contained on your driving licence, and what the codes mean is essential.
Photocard Licences
The current photocard driving licence was introduced in 1998, replacing the old-style folded paper driving licence. Not all photocard licences follow the same format, as the design has changed several times since they were introduced. Some drivers may also still be using the old-style green paper folded licence. Photocard licences were standardised across the EU, and since Brexit it remains to be seen whether there will be further design changes in the future to make British licences different in appearance from their equivalents in the EU.
Information on the Front of Your Driving Licence
On the side of your photocard driving licence with the photo, you’ll find the following basic personal details:
- Name, surname, date of birth and country of birth.
- Date your driving licence expires.
- Your unique driver number, which always starts with the first five letters of your surname.
- Signature
- Current address
- Vehicle categories which you are allowed to drive.
Information on the Back of Your Driving Licence
Flipping over your photocard, you’ll see a table explaining the various driving entitlement codes and any associated conditions. This will help you work out which classes of vehicles you are allowed to drive. When your employer carries out a driving licence check, they are both checking that you have a valid UK driving licence in the first place, and that your licence entitles you to drive the size or class of vehicle required. This has changed over time; people who passed their driving tests in the 1990s are able to drive larger trucks without passing a separate test than people who have passed their tests more recently.
Updating Your Driving Licence
If you change your address or change your name because you have got married or divorced, you can change your photocard licence free of charge. It is a legal requirement for you to do this, especially when moving house to make sure any fines or notices are sent to the right place. Even if you haven’t changed your name or address, your photocard is only valid for ten years, after which you will have to update it with a new photograph. This can easily be done online through the DVLA official portal, and currently costs £14.
