Driving Licence Types & Codes Explained

For the majority of drivers, the type of driving licence you hold will depend on whether you’ve passed your driving test. You need a provisional driving licence while learning to drive and once you’ve passed, you can apply for your full driving licence. It’s not always this simple…

Whether you drive a car, a motorbike or even a larger vehicle, there are several different driving licence types you could have. Each one has a big impact on what kind of insurance (including temporary car insurance) you can get and how much you will have to pay.

What is a full UK driving licence?

Once you have passed your theory test and practical driving test, you will have two years to apply for a full UK licence. This pink photocard licence entitles you to drive anywhere, at any time, without supervision.

Drivers with a full licence can drive either a manual or automatic vehicle. If you have an automatic driving licence, you will only be able to drive cars with automatic gearboxes. If you want to upgrade to a manual driving licence, you’ll have to pass a driving test in a manual car.

How to apply for a provisional driving licence

Until you pass your practical test, you will have a green provisional licence. This means that any time you are on the road, you must be supervised by a driver who meets strict requirements…

What is a full EU driving licence?

The European driving licence, created in 2013, can be used to drive in all EU nations as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway…

What are the driving licence codes?

Other driving licence categories

• C: Large vehicles (over 3500kg + trailer up to 750kg)
• CE: Large vehicles + trailer over 750kg
• D1: Minibuses (up to 16 passenger seats)
• h: Tracked vehicles (incl. military)
• L: Electrically-propelled vehicles
• m: Trolley vehicles

Digital driving licences – coming soon

Later in 2025, UK drivers will be able to add voluntary digital driving licences to a new government app, making it easier to prove ID and licence details.