Driving Licence Codes & Categories Explained

Let’s be completely honest, not many of us have the foggiest idea what all the driving licence categories and driving licence codes actually mean on our driving licence or, if we do, our knowledge is extremely limited.

So, for those of you who’d like to know more and would like the back of driving licence explained, here’s everything you need to know about the different codes and categories shown on your UK driving licence, including what vehicles you are permitted to drive and what trailer weight you are allowed to tow.

In this guide:

Driving licence categories UK and what they mean

Driving licence codes UK and what they mean

Can I check my driving licence online?

What is the DVLA licence check code?

Driving licence categories UK and what they mean

A DVLA category shown in column 9. on the reverse side of your DVLA licence is made up of alphanumeric characters and vehicle images to show any ‘entitlement’ you may have to drive a particular type of vehicle. Sometimes this column will additionally include a ‘restriction’ applicable to that entitlement. 

It is very important that you understand the types of vehicles that you are permitted to drive as not having the correct licence type can void your insurance and include hefty fines.

A Category driving licence: motorcycles & mopeds

Driving licence code A permits you to drive motorbikes with a power output in excess of 35kW or motor tricycles with a power output of more than 15kW.

If a Category A is shown, this means you can also ride motorcycles and tricycles described in Category A1 and Category A2.

B Category driving licence: cars, light vehicles & quad bikes

Any type of alphanumeric ‘B Category’ shown on your licence relates to motor vehicles (and quad bikes) you are permitted to drive.

The two most common categories are B1 and B.

Category B1 permits you to drive light 4-wheel vehicles up to 400kg (or up to 550kg if a vehicle is designed to carry extra cargo), and also entitles you to drive a quad bike.

Category B permits you to drive a car and as of 16 December 2021, is now split into two separate entitlements, depending on the date when you passed your test.

Older and more experienced drivers (with pre-1997 licences) have always been allowed to tow a vehicle and trailer combination (including a caravan) up to a combined weight - known as maximum authorised mass (MAM) - of 8,250kg.

However, newer drivers have previously only been allowed to tow a much lower trailer weight and, before the recent changes, all drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 were required to take and pass a car and trailer driving test before attempting to tow a trailer.

Category B towing rules if your licence was issued BEFORE 1 January 1997  

Good news! If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997 you are not affected by the new towing rules.

This means (if you’re brave and competent enough!) you are still permitted to drive a vehicle and trailer up to 8,250kg MAM and a minibus and trailer over 750kg MAM.

Category B towing rules if your licence was issued FROM 1 January 1997   

More good news! If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you no longer have to pass a car and trailer test to drive a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM, that’s towing a trailer weighing no more than 750kg MAM - a combined weight of 4,250kg.

You can also drive, without passing a test, with a trailer over 750kg MAM but only if the combined weight of the trailer and vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

Note: When you next apply for a new driving licence, the DVLA will automatically update your driving licence to include a category BE to reflect this new towing rule - you do not need to contact the DVLA to do this.

Different towing rules apply to Northern Ireland.

Category B auto means you can drive an automatic vehicle.

Category BE means you can drive a vehicle and trailer with a MAM of 3,500kg.

C Category driving licence: commercial vehicles

Category C1 allows you to drive a vehicle up to 7,500kg MAM with a trailer weighing up to 750kg.

Category C1E entitles you to drive a C1 category vehicle but with a trailer over 750kg - you cannot exceed a combined weight of 12,000kg.

Category C means you’re able to drive vehicles weighing more than 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg.

Category CE means you can drive a category C vehicle but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg.

D Category driving licence: minibuses and buses

Category D1 entitles you to drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats, no longer than 8 metres, and with a trailer weight up to 750kg.

Category D1E permits you to drive a category D1 vehicle but with a trailer over 750kg but you cannot exceed a combined weight of 12,000kg.

Category D entitles you to drive a bus with 8 or more passenger seats with a trailer of up to 750kg.

Category DE allows you to drive a category D bus but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg.

Miscellaneous categories

Less commonly used categories that may also be shown on a driver’s licence are:

Note: A driving licence isn’t required for mobility scooters, electric bikes or powered wheelchairs.

You might be interested in: What you need to know about SORNing your car

Driving licence codes UK and what they mean

A DVLA code is shown as a number under column 12. on the reverse side of your driving license and indicates a specific condition you must satisfy and meet before driving a vehicle - the vehicle the code relates to is shown as an image in column 9 on the same row as the code.

For example, if you have poor eyesight that requires glasses or contact lenses, then a code 01 might be shown on your UK drivers licence.

Another common code is 118 which means the earliest date your licence is valid from and that date is shown at the bottom of column 10.

There are approximately 50 different codes that can be shown on your licence and a full list of them can be found here.

You might like to read: Driving Offence Codes - A list of motor conviction codes and corresponding offences

Can I check my driving licence online?

Yes, DVLA driving licence check is an online service where you can:

• view and check driving licence for driving entitlements
• check if you have any penalty points or disqualifications
• create and share a licence ‘check code’

Read: Penalty Points could add £200+ to the cost of car insurance

What is the DVLA licence check code?

A DVLA licence check code can be generated by you online via the gov.uk’s website.

Once you’ve created a code, you can then ‘share’ that code with whoever you want to be able to view your driving licence information, such as a car rental company or a new employer.

To access this service you will need:

• Your driving licence number
• Your National Insurance Number
• Your postcode (as shown on your driving licence)

Compare car insurance quotes now

While having an idea as to what vehicle type you are permitted to drive is useful, the cost of your premiums will really depend on your driving experience as well as a number of other factors.

Tap the button below to get a quote now to see how much you could save on car insurance.