Turn your photocard over and you will find a column of small numbers next to each vehicle category. Those are driving licence codes, and they set conditions on how, when or what you can drive. Most drivers never look at them until a hire company, insurer or police officer asks a question, and then it turns out that code 01 or code 78 matters a great deal.
This guide explains the most common driving licence codes in plain English, shows where to find them, and tells you what to do if a code is missing or wrong. We are an independent information site and not DVLA. The meanings below follow the official GOV.UK driving licence codes page, which you should treat as the final word, particularly as some codes change over time.
Where to find driving licence codes
On a photocard licence, codes appear on the back, in the column marked “Information” (field 12) next to the category they relate to. You can also see them online. Use the official “View or share your driving licence information” service, which lists your categories and any restrictions in a readable form. Our guide to the driving licence check code shows how to share that view with a hire company or employer.
Remember that a code is attached to a category. A code that restricts your car licence does not automatically restrict a motorcycle entitlement. Our guide to driving licence categories explains how categories work.
Medical and adaptation driving licence codes (01 to 46)
The lowest numbers deal with your body and the way a vehicle is adapted for you. Here are the ones drivers meet most often:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 01 | Eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses |
| 02 | Hearing or communication aid |
| 10 | Modified transmission |
| 15 | Modified clutch |
| 20 | Modified braking system |
| 25 | Modified accelerator system |
| 31 | Pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards |
| 35 | Modified control layouts |
| 40 | Modified steering |
| 42 | Modified rear-view mirror or mirrors |
| 43 | Modified driving seat |
| 44 | Modifications to motorbikes (with sub-codes 44(1) to 44(12)) |
| 45 | Motorbikes with a sidecar only |
The most important is code 01. If it appears on your licence, you must wear your glasses or contact lenses every time you drive. Read our guide to driving eyesight rules to see how that links to the legal standard. If your condition or adaptations change, you should tell DVLA, and our article on medical conditions you must declare explains when.
Administrative driving licence codes (70 and 71)
Code 70 means the licence was issued as an exchange for another licence, such as a foreign or paper licence. Code 71 means it is a duplicate, issued in place of a lost, stolen or damaged one. These codes do not restrict what you can drive. They are a record of how the document came into existence, and you do not need to do anything about them.
Automatic transmission driving licence codes (78 and 106)
Code 78 is the one that surprises people most. It means you are restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission, which usually happens because you passed your test in an automatic car. Code 106 says something similar for vehicles with automatic transmissions in other categories. If you want to drive a manual car, you need to pass a test in one. Our full guide to the automatic to manual licence upgrade walks you through that process.
Specification and vehicle-weight driving licence codes (79 to 108)
- 79: restricted to vehicles that conform to the specifications shown in brackets on your licence, for example 79(3) restricts you to tricycles.
- 96: 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. Our guide to towing a trailer explains who needs it.
- 97: not allowed to drive C1 vehicles that must have a tachograph fitted.
- 101: not for hire or reward, meaning you cannot be paid to drive that class of vehicle.
- 102: drawbar trailers only.
- 103: subject to a certificate of competence.
- 105: vehicle not more than 5.5 metres long.
- 107: not more than 8,250 kilograms.
- 108: subject to minimum age requirements.
These codes matter a lot to professional and leisure drivers. For example, if you want to drive a campervan, check whether code 107 or 105 limits it. See our guide to the motorhome driving licence for what that means in practice.
Passenger and mobility driving licence codes (110 to 114)
Codes 110, 111 and 113 apply to minibus and community transport categories. Code 110 limits you to transporting people with restricted mobility, code 111 to vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats, and code 113 to 16 passenger seats except for automatics. If you work in community transport, check them carefully, because carrying passengers outside the permitted conditions can invalidate insurance.
What are the most common driving licence codes?
Most British drivers will only ever see two or three codes. The usual ones are 01 (glasses), 70 or 71 (exchange or duplicate) and 78 (automatic). If you passed your test before 1 January 1997 you may also see 107, which reflects the older entitlement to drive heavier combinations. If your licence shows a long list of numbers you do not recognise, look each one up on GOV.UK before you rely on it.
Why driving licence codes matter for insurance and car hire
Insurers and hire companies read your restrictions before they decide whether to cover you. If you are asked about your licence on a quote form, answer honestly and include any adaptation or restriction. A hire desk that sees code 78 on your record will not hand you a manual car, and an insurer that discovers an undeclared code 01 after a claim can reduce or refuse payment. The simplest habit is to review your codes whenever you renew your licence or change vehicle, and to keep your record accurate so the information the other party sees is the same as what you declared.
It takes a minute and can save a very expensive argument later. If you receive a new licence after a renewal, compare the codes on the new card with the old one to make sure nothing has been lost or added by mistake.
How to check or correct driving licence codes
- View your record online to see the codes DVLA holds.
- Compare them with the back of your card. They should match.
- If a code is wrong, apply for a corrected licence using form D1 (cars and motorbikes) or D2 (lorries and buses) and include supporting evidence.
- If a medical condition has changed and a code should be added or removed, tell DVLA and follow its instructions.
- Keep your photo and address current. Our guide to changing your address shows how.
Never ignore a restriction code. Driving outside its conditions, for example without glasses when code 01 is present, can invalidate your insurance and may lead to prosecution.
Driving licence codes FAQs
What does code 01 mean on my driving licence?
It means you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the eyesight standard, and you must wear them every time you drive.
What does code 78 mean?
It restricts you to driving automatic vehicles. To drive a manual car, you need to pass a driving test in one.
What does code 96 mean?
It allows you to drive a vehicle and trailer where the trailer weighs at least 750kg and the combined weight is between 3,500kg and 4,250kg.
Where are driving licence codes shown?
On the back of your photocard in the Information column, and online through the GOV.UK “View or share your driving licence information” service.
Can driving licence codes be removed?
Some can. For example, passing a manual driving test removes the automatic-only restriction, and DVLA can remove medical codes if your condition changes.
Driving licence codes: what to remember
Driving licence codes are shorthand for the conditions on your entitlement. Always check yours, wear glasses if code 01 is present, respect weight and trailer limits, and use the official GOV.UK driving licence codes page for the full list. If a code looks wrong, ask DVLA to correct it rather than guess. For other everyday answers, visit our UK driving licence FAQ.
Fast Driving Licence is an independent information service and is not affiliated with DVLA or GOV.UK. Code meanings were checked in October 2026 and may change.