Driving Licence Information & Codes

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Slide 0: PERSONAL & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS 01 - Eyesight Correction The driver must wear glasses or contact lenses while operating a vehicle . 02 - Hearing / Communication Aid The driver is required to use a bearing or communication aid while driving . 115 Organ Donor This code indicates that the licence holder is registered as an organ donor . Decoding Your Driving Licence : What the Codes on the Back Really Mean VEHICLE CONTROL MODIFICATIONS 10 - Modified Transmission The vehicle must be fitted with a transmission system modified for the driver's needs . 20 - Modified Braking Systems Requires the use of a braking system that has been specifically adapted . 25 - Modified Accelerator Systems The vehicle must have a customized accelerator system . THE ' 44 ' SERIES : MOTORCYCLE ADAPTATIONS 96 - Vehicle & Trailer Combo: Allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer ( min 750kg ) with a combined weight between 3,600kg and 4,250kg . 111 Passenger Limit Restricted to vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats . TRANSMISSION , WEIGHT & TRAILERS 44 ( 1-3 ) - Adapted Braking Includes single - operated brakes , adapted front wheel brakes , or adapted rear wheel brakes . 44 ( 4-5 ) Power & Cears Covers adapted accelerators and adjusted manual transmissions or clutches . 35 - Modified Control Layouts Refers to vehicles where control layouts ( like indicators or lights ) have been altered for the driver . 42 - Modified Rear - view Mirror ( s ) Specifically adapted or additional mirrors are required for sale operation . LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE CODES 78 - Automatic Transmission Only The holder is restricted to driving vehicles with automatic transmission . ( Code 108 alse applies to specific categories ) . 96 - Vehicle & Trailer Combo Allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer nin 700kgr with a combined weight botween 3,900kg and 4,250kg . 107 Weight Limit : The vehicle must not exceed a maximum weight of 8,250 kilograms . 44 ( 8 ) Specific Seat Height Seat height must allow the driver to have both fact on the sorfens while altting to maintain balance when stopped . 44 ( 11-13 ) - Ergonomic Adjustments Includes the use of adapted fontrasts or adapted bead grips for the rider . 70 - Exchange of Licence Indicates the license was exchanged for one issued in anether country or jurisdiction . 101 - Not for Hire or Reward The driver is not permitted to use the vehicle for profit or commercial gain . 122 Basic Maped Training Licence is valid only opon successful completion of a Basic Sitoped Training Dcurse ( dees not apply to trial a - acooters ) . Slide 1: Decoding the UK Driving Licence A visual reference guide to the restriction codes , vehicle adaptations , and administrative conditions governing UK drivers . Slide 2: Column 12 contains a hidden blueprint for legal driving . The codes printed on the back of your driving licence dictate the precise conditions you must meet to drive legally . Ranging from eyesight requirements to heavily modified steering systems , these numbers form a strict framework for safe driving . Note : Conditions apply differently across vehicle categories . Some codes may also codes also carry different legal definitions in Northern Ireland . Slide 3: A taxonomy of driving codes organized by functional impact . Driver Health Physical and sensory requirements . Car Adaptations Motorcycle Adaptations Mechanical modifications for cars . Specific modifications for 2 - wheelers . Vehicle Limits Weight , trailer , and passenger caps . Administrative Legal , age , and licensing status . Slide 4: Fundamental sensory requirements for safe operation . Code 01 : Eyesight correction required ( glasses or contact lenses must be worn while driving ) . Code 02 : Hearing or communication aid required . Slide 5: Lower - body vehicle adaptations and pedal modifications . Modified clutch 30 : Combined braking and accelerator systems ( licences issued before 28 Nov 2016 ) 31 : Pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards 32 : Combined service brake and accelerator systems Modified transmission Modified braking systems Modified accelerator systems Slide 6: Upper - body vehicle adaptations and cabin modifications . Cabin adaptation Combined service brake , accelerator , and steering systems Fitted with any 114 special controls required for safe driving Modified steering Modified rear - view mirror ( s ) Modified driving seats Modified control layouts Slide 7: The 44 Series maps specific physical adaptations directly to the motorcycle frame . Front / Controls Adapted front wheel brake Adapted accelerator Adjusted commands ( indicators , brake lights ) Adapted hand grip Rear Adapted rear wheel brake Adjusted rear - view mirror ( s ) Core / Transmission Single operated brake Manual transmission and manual clutch Stance / Body Seat height allowing two feet on the surface to balance during stopping Adapted foot rest Slide 8: Distinct legal categories govern alternative two and three - wheelers . Sidecars Tricycles & Quadricycles Motorbikes only with sidecar . Tricycles only ( licences issued before 29 June 2014 ) . Restricted to category AM vehicles of the 3 - wheel or light quadricycle type . Restricted to tricycles . Mopeds Valid on successful completion of Basic Moped Training Course ( Note : Does not apply to trial e - scooters ) . Slide 9: An automatic licence restricts drivers from operating manual transmissions . Code 78 : Restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission . Code 106 : Restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions . Drivers carrying these codes are legally barred from operating a manual transmission vehicle on public roads . Slide 10: Specific codes enforce strict limits on vehicle dimensions , weight , and towing . Towing & Trailers Allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750kg , and the combined weight is between 3,500kg and 4,250kg . Drawbar trailers only . Not more than 8,250 kilograms . Weight Limits Weight limit for vehicle does not apply . Dimensions Vehicle not more than 5.5 metres long . Slide 11: Passenger capacities and commercial uses are tightly regulated . Passenger Limits Commercial & Fleet Limits Not for hire or reward ( not to make a profit ) . Not allowed to drive category C1 vehicles which require a tachograph to be fitted . Limited to transporting persons with restricted mobility . Limited to 16 passenger seats . Limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics . Slide 12: Administrative codes track licensing history , age limits , and legal compliance Licence Status Legal Compliance Time & Age Restricted to vehicles conforming to specifications stated in brackets Exchange of licence Subject to minimum age requirements Duplicate of licence Subject to certificate of competence Start date is for earliest entitlement Restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State's notice Slide 13: Code 115 is a voluntary declaration , not a driving restriction . 115 : Organ Donor . Unlike every other code in Column 12 that limits or modifies how a person can drive , Code 115 serves solely to register the driver's consent to donate their organs in the event of their death . Slide 14: Quick Reference : The Most Commonly Encountered Codes Eyesight correction required . Automatic transmission only . Vehicle Trailer combined up to 4,250kg . Not for hire or reward . Maximum 16 passenger seats . Organ Donor . Slide 15: Driving outside your specific licence conditions is a legal offense . Operating a vehicle that violates the restriction codes in Column 12 can invalidate your motor insurance and result in prosecution . Always verify your entitlements . Visit GOV.UK to view , share , or check the full details of your driving licence information online . GOV.UK view driving licence

📖 DVSA Revision Lesson ⏱️ 10 Min Read ❓ 10 Practice Questions 🌐 68 Languages Support

Last updated: 7 September 2026

📜 Official Lesson Transcript & Audio SRT Dialogue 99 Timestamps

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00:00 Hey everyone, have you ever actually looked, I mean, really looked at your driving license?

00:04 Not the dodgy photo from 10 years ago.

00:06 But the back of it.

00:07 You know, with all those little numbers and codes, it's kind of like a secret language,

00:10 right?

00:11 Well, today, we're going to crack that code.

00:13 I mean, it's one of those things most of us carry around every single day, but we don't

00:17 really know what it all means.

00:19 They might just look like a random jumble of digits, but trust me, every single one tells

00:23 a very specific story about you, the driver.

00:27 So that's what we're going to do.

00:28 We're going to decode that story together.

00:30 By the time we're done here, you'll be able to look at any driving license and read

00:32 it like an open book.

00:34 You ready?

00:35 Let's dive in.

00:36 All right, so first up, let's talk about the codes that are all about the driver.

00:40 These have nothing to do with the car itself.

00:42 Nope, these are all about the person behind the wheel, and they often relate to health requirements

00:47 to make sure everyone's safe out there on the road.

00:50 Let's start with a real classic, Code 01.

00:53 This is probably one of the most common codes you'll ever see.

00:56 All it means is that the driver needs to wear their glasses or contact lenses to drive.

01:00 Super simple, right?

01:01 A ton of people have this on their license.

01:03 Maybe you do too.

01:04 It's a small code, but an absolutely vital piece of info.

01:08 And right along those same lines, we've got Code 02.

01:11 This one means the driver needs a hearing aid or some other kind of communication device.

01:16 You can see the pattern here, can't you?

01:18 It's all about making sure the driver can perceive what's going on around them to drive safely.

01:23 And the list goes on.

01:24 You've got some, well, kind of boring administrative codes, like 70, which just means it's an exchange

01:29 license, or 71 for a duplicate.

01:32 But then you see that last one, Code 0115, Oregon donor.

01:37 Now that one is a bit different, and it's a really, really important one.

01:41 We're going to circle back to it later, so keep it in mind.

01:44 OK, let's switch gears a bit.

01:46 Now we're moving on to codes that aren't about the driver's health, but about the vehicle itself.

01:51 These codes tell us that the driver is only licensed to operate a vehicle that has

01:54 certain modifications.

01:56 And you can see just how specific this gets.

01:58 We're talking everything from a modified transmission or clutch, all the way to modified braking

02:03 systems, control layouts, even the steering.

02:06 It's all about making sure the vehicle is perfectly and safely adapted for the person driving

02:10 it.

02:11 And if you thought that was detailed, check this out.

02:14 This is where it gets really granular.

02:17 Take Code 44, which is from motorbikes.

02:20 It doesn't just stop at modified bike.

02:22 Oh no, it has its own set of subcodes.

02:26 Those little numbers in the brackets tell you exactly what's been changed, from the brakes

02:30 and the accelerator right down to the seat height or the hand grips.

02:34 It's incredibly precise.

02:35 OK, so we've covered the driver and the vehicle.

02:39 What's next?

02:40 Well, now we get into driving restrictions and permissions.

02:42 These codes are all about the specific rules of the road for that particular driver, what

02:47 they can drive, where they can go, and even how.

02:50 And here's one that a lot of you might have seen before, Code 78.

02:55 This one's super common.

02:56 Basically, if you passed your test in an automatic car, you're going to have this code on your

03:01 license.

03:02 It means you're restricted to only driving automatic vehicles.

03:05 If you don't have this code, hey, congratulations, you're free to drive both.

03:09 Simple as that.

03:10 So what's with this big number, 4,250 kilograms?

03:14 Well, that relates to Code 96.

03:17 This is for all you folks who love towing a big caravan or a heavy trailer.

03:21 A standard license has weight limits, but this code gives you special permission to drive

03:25 a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight all the way up to 4,250 kilos.

03:30 Pretty handy, right?

03:31 And the rabbit hole goes deeper.

03:33 There are so many other specific restrictions.

03:35 I mean, look at these.

03:37 Code 79 subsection 3 means you're restricted to tricycles.

03:41 Code 101 says you can't drive for profit, so no being a new driver with that one.

03:46 And Code 105 can even restrict the maximum length of the vehicle you drive.

03:51 The level of detail is just wild, isn't it?

03:53 All right, for our final section, I want to circle back to a code we mentioned right at

03:57 the beginning.

03:58 This one, this one's different.

04:00 It's not a restriction, and it's not a modification.

04:03 It's something deeply personal, a choice the driver has made.

04:07 It's Code 115.

04:09 This little number indicates that the driver is a registered organ donor.

04:12 And wow!

04:14 Just think about that for a second.

04:15 It completely transforms this piece of plastic from just a permit to drive into something so

04:19 much more.

04:20 It's a record of a decision that could one day save lives.

04:24 So they have it.

04:25 The secret language on your driving license totally decoded.

04:28 That little card in your wallet is packed with so much more information than you probably thought.

04:32 It tells a detailed story about you as a driver, your permissions, your restrictions, and even

04:37 your personal wishes.

04:38 So go on.

04:39 Take a look.

04:40 Now that you know the language, what story does your license tell?

📖 Driving Licence Information & Codes

The codes printed on the back of your driving licence tell you what conditions you must meet to drive. Some codes may be different in Northern Ireland.

Here is the complete list of driving licence codes and their meanings:

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01 - eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses
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02 - hearing/communication aid
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10 - modified transmission
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15 - modified clutch
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20 - modified braking systems
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25 - modified accelerator systems
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30 - combined braking and accelerator systems (for licences issued before 28 November 2016)
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31 - pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards
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32 - combined service brake and accelerator systems
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33 - combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems
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35 - modified control layouts
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40 - modified steering
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42 - modified rear-view mirror(s)
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43 - modified driving seats
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44 - modifications to motorbikes
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44 (1) - single operated brake
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44 (2) - adapted front wheel brake
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44 (3) - adapted rear wheel brake
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44 (4) - adapted accelerator
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44 (5) - (adjusted) manual transmission and manual clutch
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44 (6) - (adjusted) rear-view mirror(s)
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44 (7) - (adjusted) commands (such as direction indicators, braking light)
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44 (8) - seat height allowing the driver, in sitting position, to have two feet on the surface at the same time and balance the motorcycle during stopping and standing
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44 (11) - adapted foot rest
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44 (12) - adapted hand grip
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45 - motorbikes only with sidecar
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46 - tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)
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70 - exchange of licence
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71 - duplicate of licence
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78 - restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission
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79 - restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets on your licence
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79 (2) - restricted to category AM vehicles of the 3-wheel or light quadricycle type
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79 (3) - restricted to tricycles
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96 - allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750kg, and the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is between 3,500kg and 4,250kg
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97 - not allowed to drive category C1 vehicles which are required to have a tachograph fitted
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101 - not for hire or reward (that is, not to make a profit)
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102 - drawbar trailers only
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103 - subject to certificate of competence
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105 - vehicle not more than 5.5 metres long
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106 - restricted to vehicles with automatic transmissions
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107 - not more than 8,250 kilograms
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108 - subject to minimum age requirements
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110 - limited to transporting persons with restricted mobility
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111 - limited to 16 passenger seats
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113 - limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics
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114 - with any special controls required for safe driving
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115 - organ donor
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118 - start date is for earliest entitlement
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119 - weight limit for vehicle does not apply
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121 - restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State's notice
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122 - valid on successful completion: Basic Moped Training Course. This does not apply to trial e-scooters
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125 - tricycles only (for licences issued before 29 June 2014)

🖼️ A close-up view of the back of a UK photocard driving licence showing the numbered categories and restriction codes

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