The reverse of a UK driving licence sets out exactly which vehicles a driver may operate. This guide explains columns 9 to 12 and the restriction codes operators need to read correctly.
By Zed Aziz, Transport Consultant
The back of the British driving licence contains vital information that sets out the types of vehicle a driver is permitted to operate. For operators checking driver entitlement, reading it correctly is essential. This guide explains the significance of columns 9, 10, 11 and 12, and the licence category and restriction codes you will encounter.
Column 9 lists every vehicle category the driver may operate, from cars and motorcycles through to large goods and passenger vehicles. Columns 10 and 11 give the start and end dates of each entitlement — useful for spotting an entitlement that is about to expire. Column 12 carries the codes that qualify those entitlements, and it is here that many operators trip up, because a single code can change what a driver may lawfully do.
Column 12 codes specify the conditions a driver must meet, or restrictions that apply, before they can get behind the wheel. There are more than 50 codes in total. Common examples include:
Several codes (the 10 to 44 range) relate to vehicle modifications — adapted transmission, clutch, braking, accelerator, steering, mirrors or seating — that allow a driver to operate safely according to individual needs. Codes 70 and 71 indicate an exchanged or duplicate licence. Understanding these codes is crucial for compliance and for ensuring a driver operates within the legal framework of their licence.
To drive HGVs (Category C) or smaller LGVs (Category C1), a driver must hold the appropriate entitlement. Category C covers vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg; Category C1 covers vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg. The minimum age for both is 18. Drivers must meet specific medical standards (including vision and hearing) and provide a medical declaration. They must also hold a valid Driver CPC — completing initial training plus 35 hours of periodic training every five years — and comply with tachograph rules. Specialist work may require further certification, such as ADR training for dangerous goods.
To drive a minibus with between nine and 16 passenger seats you will typically need D1 (Passenger-Carrying Vehicle) entitlement. Guidance issued on 12 April 2018 set out the rules, including exemptions for unpaid volunteers and personal use. Drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 may have D1 entitlement with code 79 (NFHR — Not For Hire or Reward), meaning no payment may be accepted from passengers. Drivers over 70 or with medically restricted licences must meet higher medical standards to retain the entitlement. Where a licence carries no minibus entitlement, a driver may still drive for a non-commercial organisation under conditions: a full car licence held for at least two years, age over 21, no payment beyond out-of-pocket expenses, a vehicle no heavier than 3,500kg (or 4,250kg with specialist equipment) and no trailer.
Correctly interpreting the back of a licence is fundamental to driver compliance, but doing it manually across a fleet is slow and error-prone. Our automated Driver Licence Checks service verifies categories, codes and expiry dates for every driver and flags issues before they become a problem. To check your own record see our guide to checking your licence on the DVLA website, or contact us to automate checks for your drivers.
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