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Driving Licence Information
Provisional Driving Licences
Renewing Your Driving Licence
Changing Information On Your Driving Licence
Vehicles That Require Licences
Renewing Your Licence When You’re Over The Age Of 70
Changing From A Paper Licence To A Photocard
Dealing With The Driving Licence Of Someone Who Has Recently Died
Lost, Stolen, Damaged Or Destroyed Licence
Changing A Foreign Licence
Driving Licence Categories
Driving Licence Codes
Surrendering Your Licence
Driving Licence Information
A provisional driving licence is required for those who wish to learn to drive in the UK. There are many issues you may experience relating to your driving licence, such as a change in name or address, the need to renew or surrender your licence or you may even need to replace your licence after it is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed. Here you will find information about your driving licence or other types of licences you may be interested in obtaining as well as common issues that you may experience as a holder of a UK driving licence.
Provisional Driving Licences
A Provisional Driving Licence is your first licence that grants you the means of learning to drive a car, motorcycle or moped. You can apply for your provisional via the DVLA online or by 
completing a D1 application form that can be obtained from the Post Office or via the DVLA contact form ordering service.
When applying for your licence you will need to send:
- Your full, valid, current passport
- A biometric residence permit
- A UK Certificate of naturalisation
OR
- Your Birth Certificate and ONE of the following
- National Insurance card
- Letter from the DWP showing your National Insurance number
- A copy of the first page of your benefits book
- An original benefit claim letter
- A P45 P60 or pay slip
- Marriage Certificate or divorce papers
- College or university card
- School record
- PASS CitizenCard
Unless stated, only original documents are accepted
The criteria for obtaining your provisional driving licence is that you must:
- Be a resident of Great Britain
- Be the required minimum age
- Meet the required minimum eyesight requirement
- Have nothing preventing your from driving for whatever reason
- Pay a fee of £50 by debit or credit card
- Have a valid UK passport or other form of ID
- Have your national insurance number, if you know it
- Be able to provide addresses you have lived in for the last 3 years.
You can apply for your provisional licence when you are 15 years and 9 months old. To start driving you need to be 16 years old for a moped and 17 years old for a car. If you receive or have applied for the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you can drive a car from 16.
Renewing Your Driving Licence
You need to renew your photocard driving licence every 10 years. You can do this online, if your valid passport has been issued in the last 5 years, or by completing the renewal form (D798) that you get in the post and sending the finished form to
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DH
You can also do your renewal at certain Post Offices, although there is an extra charge of £4.50 for this.
When renewing your licence at the Post Office, you need to take these with you:
- Your completed renewal form (D798)
- Your photocard licence and the paper counterpart
- The £20 fee
If you want to apply by post, you will need to send:
- Your completed D798 form
- A new passport style photo that has been taken within the last month- please don’t sing the back
- Your current photocard and paper counterpart sections of your licence
- A cheque or postal order fo the value of £20 that is payable to the DVLA.
If you have changed your name, you will need to send identity documents,
Your application should be sent to the DVLA Swansea office:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DH
The criteria for renewing your driving licence online is that you need to:
- Have been issued a valid UK passport in the last 5 years
- Be a UK resident
- Have your driving licence, including the paper counterpart
- Have nothing preventing your from driving for whatever reason
- Pay a fee of £20 by debit or credit card
- Have your national insurance number
- Be able to provide addresses you have lived in for the last 3 years.
When you receive your new licence, you must send your old licence back to the DVLA. Your photo and signature will be taken from your passport and if this isn’t possible or you want a different photo, you can’t renew your licence online.
Changing Information On Your Driving Licence
When changing information on your driving licence, there are different forms and various addresses that need to be considered, depending on the information you want to change. Below you find information relating to changing your address, name and photo:
Change Of Address
There is no charge for changing your address on your driving licence. You can do it online or by a postal application. A postal application may take up to 3 weeks.
The criteria for changing your address online is that you will need to:
- Have both part of your driving licence
- Be considered a resident of Great Britain
- Be able to give the address that you have resided in for the last 3 years
- Have a valid UK passport or another form of identity
- Have you national insurance number, if you know it
- Not have been disqualified from driving for any reason
If you apply online you should get your licence within a week. If you are moving abroad, you cannot update your British driving licence with your foreign address, you will need to contact the relevant driving licence authority in the country you are moving to.
If you are changing your address on your photocard driving licence by post, you will need to send the completed ‘changes’ section on your paper counterpart, including your signature and the date. Then you will need to send your photo card and the paper counterpart to
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
If you are changing your address on your paper driving licence by post, you will need to send:
- A completed D1 form
- Your driving licence
- Original document that can confirm your identity
- A passport sized photograph
You will need to send these to
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
Change Of Name
To change your name, you will need to complete different forms depending on the type of licence you hold and what vehicles it entitled you to drive. These forms can be found at most Post Offices or from the DVLA’s form ordering service.
- For car or motorbike licence, complete a D1 form
- For a lorry or bus licence, complete a D2 form
For a photocard driving licence:
All drivers will need to include the original documents that confirm your new name and their photocard licence and paper counterpart. There is no need to send a new photo.
For a paper driving licence:
Every driver will need to send the original documents that confirm the name change as well as their driving licence and a passport style photo.
If you are unable to send your old driving licence in, you must declare the reason why on your form.
If you are sending a D1 form (for cars and motorbikes), you will need to send it to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
For a D2 form (a lorry or bus application) you need to send it to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR
To change your title, you will need to follow the same steps that have been outlined above. There is no need to send evidence, unless you are changing to a hereditary title.
You should expect to have your licence returned to you within 3 weeks, but the process may take longer if there is a need to check your health or personal details.
You can inform the DVLA of a name change, even if you are disqualified from driving. Send a letter to
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AB
In your letter, you should include details of your old and new name, your driving licence number (if you know it) and your date of birth.
Change Of Photo
You will get a new licence if you want to change or update your photo on your driving licence. You can apply online if you have had a UK passport issued in the last 5 years or by post if not.
The criteria to change your photo on your licence online:
- Be a UK resident
- Have been issued a UK passport in the last 5 years that is still valid
- Be able to pay a £20 fee
- Give address that you have occupied in th e last 3 years
- Have your driving licence
- Know your national insurance number
- Not have been disqualified from driving for any reason
The DVLA will take your photo and signature from your passport, so if this isn’t possible, you will be unable to change your photo online
If you apply online, you should receive your new licence within 1 week.
Applying by post:
- Fill in a D1 form, which is available from most Post Offices or the DVLA form ordering service.
- Include
- A passport style photo that has been taken in the last month- there is no need to sign the back
- Your photocard and paper counterpart of your current licence
- A cheque or postal order for the value of £20 that is payable to the DVLA
Send these along with your D1 form to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DH
You should get your updated licence in 3 weeks, although there may be a delay if your personal details need to be checked.
Vehicles That Require Licences
- Mopeds
- Motorcycles
- Light vehicles and quad bikes
- Cars
- Medium sized vehicles
- Large vehicles
- Buses
- Agricultural tractors
You don’t need a driving licence for
- Road rollers
- Tracked vehicles
- Moving machines
- Pedestrian controlled vehicles
- Electrically-propelled vehicles
- Trolley vehicles
- Fork lift trucks
- Minibuses
- Electric Bikes
- Mobility Scooters
- Powered Wheelchairs
Renewing Your Licence When You’re Over The Age Of 70
There is no charge to renew your driving licence if you are over the age of 70 (or will be soon).
The criteria for renewing your licence online if you are over the age of 70, or will be soon:
- Your British driving licence has expired or will do so in the next 90 days
- You are considered a resident of Great Britain
- You fulfil the minimum requirement for eyesight
- You have not been prevented from driving for whatever reason
If you have been issued with a valid UK passport in the last 5 years, you can also change your photo at the same time.
If you apply online, you should get your licence in the next week or so. Whilst the DVLA has your licence, you can continue to drive until you receive your new licence, as long as you have sent a valid application and follow any conditions attached to your licence.
The other way to renew your licence when you are over the age of 70 is to apply by post. You must use the D46P application form for this, which will be sent to you by the DVLA 90 days before your 70th birthday. If you have not received a D46P form, use the D1 application form, which can be found at the Post Office or online.
To renew a C1 or D1 entitlement, you have to do it via post or at Post Office.
Changing From A Paper Licence To A Photocard
If you want to exchange your old paper driving licence for a new photocard style licence, you can do so online, via the DVLA.
The criteria for you to exchange your current paper licence for a photocard licence online
- By in possession of your paper licence
- Be classed as a resident of Great Britain
- Meet the minimum requirements for eyesight
- Not have been stopped from driving for any reason
- By able to pay the £20 fee
- Have another form of identity, such as a valid UK passport
- If you know it, your national insurance number
- Be able to give addresses that you have lived in for the last 3 years.
If your name has changed, you won’t be able to apply online. You will have to apply by post, using a D1 form for car and motorbike licences or a D2 form for lorries and buses. You can get the forms from the DVLA form ordering service online or from most Post Offices.
The photo for your photocard licence will be taken from your UK passport, if you have had a passport issued after 5th October 1998. If the DVLA can’t use this photo, or you would rather they didn’t use it, you will need to post a photo. After filling in your online application, a form will be sent to you that you will need to return with your photo.
You can still drive before you receive your new licence as long as you make sure this criteria applies to you:
- You had a British or Northern Irish licence issued after the 1st January 1976 or another type of exchangeable licence
- You haven’t been disqualified from driving for any reason
- You haven’t been refused a driving licence based on a medical condition
- You abide by any special conditions of your licence
You are also able to exchange your paper licence for a photocard licence in person or by post. You need to complete a D1 form, which can be found either at a Post Office or by using the DVLAs form ordering service online. You will also need to send:
- Original identity documents, such as a full valid passport
- A colour passport-style photograph
- A cheque or postal order payable to the DVLA for a fee of £20.
You will need to send all of these, along with your completed D1 form to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BU
You should get your new driving licence in 3 weeks time. It could be delayed if the DVLA have to check your personal or medical details
Dealing With The Driving Licence Of Someone Who Has Recently Died
If a driver has passed away, you will need to send the driving licence and registration certificate (V5C) of the person to the DVLA.
You should include a letter that explains three main things:
- How you were related to the person who has passed away
- The date of their death
- Their name, address and date of birth
If you are unable to find their V5C, you can just send the letter.
The driving licence should be sent to:
DVLA,
Swansea
SA99 1AB
If you have the registration document, it should be sent to:
DVLA,
Swansea
SA99 1ZZ
Lost, Stolen, Damaged Or Destroyed Licence
If your driving licence is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement one online. If you licence has been stolen, you will need to report it to the police.
The criteria to replace your licence online:
- Be considered a resident of Great Britain
- Not have been disqualified from driving for any reason
- Be able to pay a fee of £20
- Have a form of identity, such as a valid UK passport
- Be able to give address you have resided in for the last 3 years
If you know them, you should also provide your driving licence number and national insurance number.
If your photocard licence is due to expire in the next 2 years and you have been issued a UK passport in the last 5 years, the DVLA will use an electronic copy of your passport photo for your licence photo. If there isn’t a suitable photo available, the DVLA will inform you and you will need to print a form to send to them with a new photograph.
If you find your old driving licence at a later date, you must return your old licence to DVLA with a letter to explain what has happened after applying for or receiving a replacement.
The other ways to apply include:
If you have a photocard licence
By phone
As long as none of your details have changed, you can apply by phone, as long as you licence hasn’t been damaged or is due to expire in less than 56 days (or 90 days if it is due to expire for medical reasons)
By post
For a car or motorbike, you need to complete a D1 form and for a lorry or bus licence, you will need to complete a D2 form.
These forms can be found by using the DVLA’s form ordering service online, or the D1 form can be found at most Post Offices.
Once you have completed the form, you will need to send your application to the address shown on the form, along with the fee that is shown on the form. If you have only lost one part of your licence, include the part that you still have.
If you have changed your name, you will also need to include the original documents that confirm your name change.
If you have a paper driving licence
By post
For a car or motorbike, you need to complete a D1 form and for a lorry or bus licence, you will need to complete a D2 form.
These forms can be found by using the DVLA’s form ordering service online, or the D1 form can be found at most Post Offices.
You will then need to send:
- The original documents that can confirm your identity, such as a full valid UK passport
- A passport style photo
- If your paper licence has been damaged, send this too
Your application should be sent to the address shown on the form, along with the fee that is also shown on the form
All postal applications may take up to 3 weeks.
Changing A Foreign Licence
To change your foreign licence to a British driving licence, you have to be considered a resident of Great Britain. This is normally the case if you have a permanent address in Great Britain that you have occupied for at 185 days.
If you have a car or motorcycle licence, depending on where you passed your test will determine if you can exchange your licence.
- A country within the EU- you can use your licence that was issued in another EU country in Great Britain until your 70 years old.
- Northern Ireland- can exchange your licence if you got it on or after 1st January 1976. There is no cost for this.
- Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man- can exchange if it was issued on or after 1st April 1991. There is a cost of £50.
There are other conditions for other countries, but you are also able to drive in the UK on a foreign licence for up to 12 months.
Driving Licence Categories
| Category | Description |
| Mopeds | |
| AM | You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h (15.5mph) but not more than 45km/h (28mph).This category also includes light quad bikes with:
|
| P | You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 45km/h (28mph) but not more than 50km/h (31mph). Its engine size must not be more than 50cc if powered by an internal combustion engine. |
| Q | You can drive 2-wheeled vehicles with:
|
| Motorcycles | |
| A1 | You can drive light motorbikes with:
This category also includes motor tricycles with power output up to 15kW. |
| A2 | You can drive motorbikes with a:
The motorbike must also not be derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. |
| A | You can drive:
|
| Light Vehicles & Quad Bikes | |
| B1 | You can drive motor vehicles with 4 wheels up to 400kg unladen or 550kg if they’re designed for carrying goods. |
| Cars | |
| B | You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg). You can also tow heavier trailers if the total weight of vehicle and trailer isn’t more than 3,500kg. You can drive motor tricycles with a power output higher than 15kW if you are over 21 years old. Physically disabled drivers with provisional category B entitlement will also have provisional entitlement to ride category A1 or A motor tricycles. Able-bodied drivers can no longer ride motor tricycles with a provisional category B licence. |
| B Auto | You can drive a category B vehicle – but only an automatic one. |
| B+E | You can drive a category B vehicle with a trailer when they have a combined weight over 3,500kg. |
| Medium Sized Vehicles | |
| C1 | You can drive vehicles weighing between 3,500 and 7,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg). |
| C1+E | You can drive C1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg, but the trailer – when fully loaded – can’t weigh more than the vehicle. The combined weight of both can’t exceed 12,000kg. |
| Large Vehicles | |
| C | You can drive vehicles over 3,500kg (with a trailer up to 750kg). |
| C+E | You can drive category C vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. |
| Minibuses | |
| D1 | You can drive vehicles with:
|
| D1+E | You can drive D1 category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg, but the trailer – when fully loaded – can’t weigh more than the vehicle. The combined weight of both can’t exceed 12,000kg. |
| Buses | |
| D | You can drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg). |
| D+E | You can drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg. |
| Other Categories | |
| Category | Type Of Vehicle You Can Drive |
| F | Agricultural Tractor |
| G | Road Roller |
| H | Tracked Vehicles |
| K | Mowing Machine or Pedestrian-Controlled Vehicle |
| L | Electrically-Propelled Vehicle |
| M | Trolley Vehicles |
| N | Exempt From Duty |
Driving Licence Codes
| 01 | Eyesight Correction | 70 | Exchange Of Licence | |
| 02 | Hearing/ Communication Aid | 71 | Duplicate Of Licence | |
| 10 | Modified Transmission | 78 | Restricted To Vehicles With Automatic Transmission | |
| 15 | Modified Clutch | 79 | Restricted To Vehicles In Conformity With The Specifications Stated In Brackets On Your Licence |
|
| 20 | Modified Braking Systems | 101 | Not For Hire Or Reward (Not To Make A Profit) | |
| 25 | Modified Accelerator Systems | 102 | Drawbar Trailers Only | |
| 30 | Combined Braking & Accelerator Systems | 103 | Subject To Certificate Of Competence | |
| 35 | Modified Control Layouts | 105 | Vehicle Not More Than 5.5M Long | |
| 40 | Modified Steering | 106 | Restricted To Vehicles With Automatic Transmissions | |
| 42 | Modified Rear-View Mirror(s) | 107 | Not More Than 8,250KG | |
| 43 | Modified Driving Seats | 108 | Subject To Minimum Age Requirements | |
| 44 | Modifications To Motorbikes | 110 | Limited To Transporting Persons With Restricted Mobility | |
| 44 (1) | Single Operated Brake | 111 | Limited To 16 Passenger Seats | |
| 44 (2) | (Adjusted) Hand Operated Brake (Front Wheel) | 113 | Limited To 16 Passenger Seats Except For Automatics | |
| 44 (3) | (Adjusted) Foot Operated Brake (Back Wheel) | 114 | With Any Special Controls Required For Safe Driving | |
| 44 (4) | (Adjusted) Accelerator Handle | 115 | Organ Donor | |
| 44 (5) | (Adjusted) Manual Transmission And Manual Clutch | 118 | Start Date Is For Earliest Entitlement | |
| 44 (6) | (Adjusted) Rear-View Mirror(s) | 119 | Weight Limit For Vehicle Does Not Apply | |
| 44 (7) | (Adjusted) Commands (Direction Indicators, Braking Light etc) |
121 | Restricted To Conditions Specified In The Secretary Of States’s Notice |
|
| 44 (8) | Seat Height Allowing The Driver, In Sitting Position, To Have 2 Feet On The Road At The Same Time |
122 | Valid On Successful Completion: Basic Moped Training Course |
|
| 45 | Motorbikes Only With Sidecar | 125 | Tricycles Only |
Surrendering Your Licence
Although there is no legal age that you have to stop driving at, sometimes medical conditions can affect your ability to drive safely and the best course of action may be to give up your driving licence until you satisfy the medical fitness standards to drive again.
If you make the decision to stop driving, or if you doctor recommends it, you will need to inform the DVLA and send them your licence. You will also need to download and fill out the relevant form for the type of licence you are giving up.
If you decide you want to drive again after surrendering your licence, you will have to reapply for a new one.