Martin Lewis has warned motorists they could face a £1,000 fine for a simple oversight, urging drivers to check their driving licence, understand the codes printed on it, and update any details that need changing.
Lewis advised motorists to take a close look at their licence, noting that while driving entitlements can last for decades, photocard licences often need renewing much sooner. He explained: "Get your driving licence out and check section 4b on the front. While your driving licence itself is valid for many decades, the photo licence that you get is only valid for 10 years. And 2.7 million of them are expiring this year. Section 4b is your expiry date."
Understanding your driving licence
The RAC has published an explainer on the licence codes printed on the reverse of your driving licence, helping motorists understand what they mean and avoid penalties by renewing any time-limited entitlements before they expire.
The RAC explains: "The UK driving licence has two sides – front and back – with important information on both. The front displays the licence holder’s personal details, such as name, date of birth, photograph, and signature. It also includes the licence number, expiry date, and categories of vehicles they are allowed to drive on UK roads. On the back of the licence, there is a more detailed section on the vehicle codes, categories and restrictions. It also features the dates indicating when entitlement to drive each category begins and ends. The photocard is a legally binding document that is essential for drivers."
What do the codes and categories mean?
The RAC says the letters and numbers on your driving licence show which types of vehicle you’re legally permitted to drive, covering everything from mopeds and motorbikes to cars, vans, buses and HGVs. For instance, category AM is for mopeds, B is for cars, and B Auto indicates automatic-only cars. Other categories include H for tracked vehicles and K for mowing machines.
In addition to the types of vehicles drivers can legally use, there are common driving licence codes worth knowing. The RAC explains: "Driving licence codes are different from licence categories. While categories tell you what you can drive, codes show any restrictions or conditions that apply to your entitlement."
Common codes include: 10 - Modified transmission; 40 - Special steering adaptations; 78 - Automatic vehicles only; 25 - Modified accelerator systems; 96 - Vehicle and trailer combination over 3,500kg MAM; 02 - Hearing or communication aid required; 101 - Not for hire or reward; 115 - Organ donor; 20 - Modified braking systems; 118 - Start date is the earliest entitlement date; 01.02 - Contact lenses required; 01.01 - Glasses required; 01.06 - Glasses or contact lenses required; 01 - Eyesight correction required while driving; 15 - Modified clutch.
The RAC suggests: "For a full list of licence codes, drivers can check the DVLA guidance or review the codes shown in column 12 on the back of their photocard licence."
Much like Martin Lewis, it warns: "In the UK, it is illegal to drive without a valid driving licence. If you get caught driving without one, you could face a £1,000 fine, legal action, as well as difficulties getting future car insurance."
