Van Driver Toolkit – Driving Licence Categories & Codes
Did you know?
- Driving without the correct entitlement to drive may result in a driver being issued with 3-6 penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.
- Penalty points are not displayed on the driving licence photocard.
- Drivers who receive 12 penalty points or more can be disqualified from driving for up to 3 years.
- Drivers can have their licence revoked (withdrawn), if they build up 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing their driving test.
Driving licence categories explain what vehicles a driver can drive. Each category of vehicle is represented by a letter or a letter and a number. In total, there are 26 driving licence categories. They can be found on the back of the driving licence.
Driving licence information/restriction codes, also found on the back of the driving licence specify what conditions must be met to drive a vehicle. There are around 50 driving licence codes.
Best practice tips
- Always keep your driving licence safe and whenever possible, carry it with you when driving.
- Know your driving licence number.
- Know what categories of vehicles you are entitled to drive.
- Know what endorsements and penalty points are on your driving licence.
- Drivers with a photocard driving licence can view their driving licence record and details of penalty points and the time remaining until they expire, online at www.gov.uk at any time.
If a driver passed their test before the 1st of January 1997, they are usually permitted to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg Maximum authorised mass (MAM).
If a driver passed their test on or after 1 January 1997, they are permitted to drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to eight passenger seats, and tow a trailer of up to 750kg.
Where an offence has been committed, a penalty code will stay on the driving licence record for a number of years depending on the seriousness and circumstances. Generally, the length of time they stay on the licence record ranges between 4 and 11 years. Penalty points will be removed automatically once the period has expired.
Provider: Driving for Better Business, National Highways
Resource Type: Web link
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