Production barcode (12): Used to link a photocard licence with its counterpart licence ready for dispatch.

National categories are shown in smaller letters.īACK OF THE PHOTOCARD DRIVING LICENCE EXPLAINED

Entitlement categories (11): The letters in capitals show the categories of entitlement covered by the European Community Directive.

Holder’s photograph (10): This is digitally reproduced from the photograph provided by the licence applicant.

Holder’s address (9): This shows the licence holder’s permanent address in Great Britain.

Issuing authority roundel (8): This shows the stamp of the EC authority that issued the driving licence.

Ghost photograph (7): This ghosted image of the licence holder’s photograph is a security feature.

Licence holder’s signature (6): This is digitally reproduced and burned into the photocard from the signature you provided on the application form.

If you have only one initial then the second character will be a ‘9’.

TS – The first two initials of your forenames.

The fourth and fifth digits are the day of the month of your birth. (Note: in the case of female driving licence holders, ‘5’ is added to the second digit, this means that the second digit will be 5 or 6). The second and third numbers are the month of birth.

849339 – First and last numbers are the year of birth.

If a surname is less than five characters in length, the remaining spaces will comprise of the digit 9.

JONES – Displaying the first five letters of your surname.Driver number (5): Driving licence number format explained.

4b displays the date the photocard must be renewed and 4cdisplays the authority that issued the licence (DVLA).

Date of driving licence issue, photo expiry, issuing authority (4): The date displayed in 4a is the date the photocard licence was issued.

Your licence personal details (1, 2 and 3): Fields 1, 2 and 3 of your photocard driving licence display your surname, first names, date and place of birth.

Front of the UK photocard driving licence explained

Current issue date on license