What is my Driving Licence Number?

Have you ever looked at your driving licence and wondered what all the numbers mean? Knowing what these numbers stand for can help you with things like renewing your licence, checking your driving record, or getting car insurance. It’s important to understand them.

In this guide, we’ll explain each part of a driving licence number and what it means. Whether you need this information for something specific or you’re just curious, our guide will make it easy to understand.

What is my driving licence number?

Your driving licence number is a 16-digit code found on your photocard driving licence. It’s a mixture of numbers and letters. Here’s how it’s made up:

First 5 characters: The first five letters of your surname. If your surname is shorter than five letters, ‘9’ fills the gaps. For example, ‘Thornton’ becomes ‘THORN’, and ‘Lee’ becomes ‘LEE99’.
Next 6 characters: Your date of birth in a special order. The first and last digits are the year you were born. In between, you’ll find your birth month and day. If you’re female at birth, the first digit of your birth month is increased by five. For example, a male born on 17th November 1993 would have ‘911173’, while a female would have ‘961173’.
Next 2 characters: Your initials. If you have only one initial, ‘9’ is added. For example, ‘Jack’ becomes ‘J9’.
Last 3 characters: Three random digits.

So, if you’re a male named John Smith, born on 3rd June 1970, your driving licence number would look like this: SMITH706030XXX. The ‘XXX’ represents the three random digits at the end.

How do I find my driving licence number?

Your driving licence number is on the front of your photocard. Look at line five, between the expiry date and your signature.

If you don’t have your photocard, you can get in touch with the DVLA. Just make sure you have some details ready, like your National Insurance number.

What is my provisional driving licence number?

A provisional driving licence number is the same as a full driving licence number. The only difference is that it’s on a provisional licence photocard. You’ll find it between the expiry date and your signature, just like on a full licence.

Does the driving licence number include the last two digits?

The last two digits on your driving licence show how many times you’ve had a new licence issued. They aren’t part of your main driving licence number, which is just the first 16 digits.

Does my driving licence number change?

When you pass your driving test and get a full licence, your driving licence number stays the same. But your licence number can change if:

You get married and change your last name.
You change your name legally (by deed poll).
You update the gender marker on your licence.

What do the letters and numbers mean on my driving licence?

On the back of your driving licence, you’ll see numbers and letters that tell you what types of vehicles you can drive and any rules you need to follow.

Column 9: Types of vehicles you can drive.
Column 10: Date you can start driving these vehicles.
Column 11: Expiry date, when you must stop driving these vehicles.
Column 12: Codes for restrictions (e.g., 01 means you must wear glasses or contact lenses). You can find all the codes on the Government website.

How to input driving licence number?

When entering your driving licence number, ensure you write it as a continuous 16-digit number without any spaces. It should match exactly as it appears on your licence. Remember that the last two digits, which represent the issue number, do not need to be included.

You don’t have to, but you might want to enter your driving licence number when getting car insurance. This helps providers check your details with the DVLA, which can change your premiums. You’ll also need your driving licence number to check your penalty points.

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