buy driving licence uk

Your driving license will display your photo, signature, and the categories of vehicles you are authorized to drive.

You should not cover your driving licence with any stickers.

An example of the front of a driving licence

A letter L on the provisional licence confirms that the holder is a learner driver.

Name

Date of birth

Place of birth Issuing authority

Date the licence runs out

Black and white phot

Categories of vehicles the licence is valid for

Driver number

Holder’s permanent address

An example of the back of a driving licence

Category ‘valid to’ date Information/restriction codes

Overflow of information/ restriction codes

Unique card identifier

Note: You will not be entitled to drive any category of vehicle that has lines shown instead of dates.

All European categories displayed in the table

Overflow of information/ restriction codes

Category ‘valid

from’ date Category ‘valid to’ date

Information/restriction codes

The ‘<’ = ‘earlier than’ symbol (if shown) means that the date shown has been worked out using the earliest information available.

Unique card identifier

Note: you will not be entitled to drive any category of vehicle that has lines shown instead of dates. However, if you have passed a test in a larger vehicle you may still be entitled to drive or ride smaller vehicles of that type which have lines shown instead of dates for example holders of full category A would be entitled to ride a category A2 vehicle. You can check categories you have provisional entitlement to drive at:

www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

The categories of vehicle

For more information on vehicle categories go to:

www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories

Maximum weights

All weights quoted in the table on pages 8, 9 and 10 relate to ‘Maximum Authorised Mass’ (MAM). This is the total weight of the vehicle when loaded. It may also be described as the ‘gross vehicle weight’.

This is normally shown on a plate fitted to the vehicle.

Descriptions of vehicle categories on or after 19 January 2013

Category	Description1	Minimum age	Notes
AM	MopedMopedTwo-wheel vehicles or three- wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25km/h and not more than 45km/hLight quadricycleWith a mass in running order of not more than 425kg, notincluding the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h	16
A1	MotorcyclesA motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, of a power not exceeding 11kW and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW per kgA motor tricycle with a power not exceeding 15kW	17
A2	A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power	19	See note 10

Category	Description	Minimum age	Notes
A	A motorcycle of a power exceeding 35kW or with a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.2kW per kgA motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.A motor tricycle with a power exceeding 15kW	24	See notes 1, 10 and11
B1	Four wheeled light vehiclesMotor vehicles with four wheels up to 400kg unladen weight or 550kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods	17
B	CarsMotor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg, designed and constructed for the carriage ofno more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kgAs category B but with a trailer weighing more than 750kg. The total weight of the vehicle and trailer can’t weigh more than 3,500kg	17	See notes 2 and 11
C1	Medium sized vehiclesVehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg	18	See notes 5 and 10
C	Large goods vehiclesVehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg, designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver	21	See notes 3 and 10

More

Heading	Subheading
Introduction
Understanding the UK Driving Licence System	Types of UK Driving Licences
Requirements for Obtaining a UK Driving Licence	Age Requirements
	Medical Requirements
	Documentation Requirements
Steps to Apply for a UK Driving Licence	Provisional Driving Licence Application
	Theory Test
	Practical Driving Test
Legal Considerations When Buying a Driving Licence	Is It Legal to Buy a Driving Licence?
	Penalties for Illegal Activities
Alternatives to Buying a Driving Licence	Driving Schools
	Intensive Driving Courses
Tips for Passing the Driving Tests	Preparing for the Theory Test
	Preparing for the Practical Test
Benefits of Having a UK Driving Licence	Freedom and Independence
	Employment Opportunities
FAQs About Buying a Driving Licence in the UK
Conclusion

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