( 19/01/2013 ➔ )
Driving licence exchange in Britain UK England Wales Scotland N. Ireland
If you are planning on obtaining a British driving licence we would be glad to help! However, doing it yourself may also be an option if you are already in Britain and have a driving licence thats valid for exchange there. If you do not then please contact us as we may be able to help you obtain a driving licence from another country that can be used or exchanged in Britain. Here is some information regarding British driving licences and exchange procedures to get you started.
Specifications:
Driving licences for novice drivers are valid until the age of 70. Driving licences for elderly drivers over 70 years are valid for: 3 years - category A 3 years - category B If you hold a driving licence for life (i.e. one that remains administratively valid for an unlimited period) that was issued by another EU country, you will not have to renew the licence until you reach the age of 70. To exchange a non eu licence it must be on designated country list for exchange. Physical description Size 86 x 54 mm Format ID-1 Material Polycarbonate Colour Pink Distinctive features There are two versions available; one English-only version, plus a Bilingual (English/Welsh) version. Security features Holographic Feature Location Front of Photo Card licence. Characteristics This feature contains a steering wheel, road and speedometer, in which the needle appears to move when the card is held along the short edges and titled back and forth. Method of verification Titling the licence back and forth at various angles. Raised Lettering Location On front of photo card driving licence. Characteristics Surname, category entitlement and date in the bottom left hand corner of the photo contain raised lettering. Method of verification This can be felt when a finger is run across the card and can be seen when viewed at an angle. Optically Variable Ink (OVI) Feature Location Front of photo card driving licence - Right hand side of the card. Characteristics The wheel image illustrated is produced with colour changing ink. The achieved effect is that the ink changes from green to gold when titled on either axis. Method of verification When the card is tilted colour change is clearly visible. Raised Surface Pattern Location Front of photo card driving licence. Characteristics Raised tactile pattern and text positioned horizontally across the centre of the card and EU flag. Method of verification This can be felt when a finger is run across the card and can be seen when viewed at an angle. Changing Images Location Back of Photo Card Licence - In the lower left corner. Characteristics Within the egg shaped lens, two different images can be seen when viewed at different angles. The images are of the card holder changing to the month and year of card expiry. Method of verification Titling the licence back and forth at various angles. Raised surface pattern Location Back of photo card driving licence. Characteristics Raised tactile pattern positioned horizontally across the centre of the card. Method of verification This can be felt when a finger is run across the card and can be seen when viewed at an angle. Unique Number Location Back of photo card driving licence - bottom right hand corner Characteristics This number is a 10 digit alphanumeric character set and is unique to every card. Method of verification Clearly visible. Raised Lettering Location On back of photo card driving licence. Characteristics The number identifier for each field will be raised. This can be felt when a finger is run across the card and can be seen when viewed at an angle. Method of verification This can be felt when a finger is run across the card and can be seen when viewed at an angle. Categories Category Period of validity A1, A, AM, B1, B, BE Until 70; above 70: 3 years (*see comment 2) C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE Until 45; 45 - 65: 5 years; above 65: 1 year National categories National category Description of national category A Motor bicycle (with or without side-car) but excluding any vehicle included in category K or P A1 Motorcycles - A motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cc, of power not exceeding 11 kw and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kw per kg. A motor tricycle with power not exceeding 15 kw. A2 A motorcycle of power not exceeding 35 kw, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2 kw per kg and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. AM Moped - 2-wheel vehicles or 3-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25 km/h and not more than 45 km/h. Light quadricycle with an unladen mass of not more than 350 kg, not including the mass of the batteries in the case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is over 25 km/h and not more than 45 km/h. B1 Motor tricycles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 500 kg and an engine capacity greater than 50 cc but excluding any vehicle included in category K, L and P B Motor vehicle with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and not more than 8 seats in addition to the drivers seat, not included in any other category and including such a vehicle drawing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg. C1 A sub-category of category C comprising motor vehicles having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. C Motor vehicles having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes, other than vehicles falling within category D, F, G or H, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. D1 A sub-category of category D comprising motor vehicles having more than eight but not more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat and including any such vehicle drawing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. D Motor vehicles constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms. BE Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle is in category B but the combination does not fall within that category. C1E A sub-category of category C+E comprising combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where: (a) the tractor vehicle is in sub-category C1, (b) the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms but not the unladen weight of the tractor vehicle, and (c) the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes. CE Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle is in category C but the combination does not fall within that category. D1E A sub-category of category D+E comprising combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where: (a) the tractor vehicle is in sub-category D1, (b) the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kilograms but not the unladen weight of the tractor vehicle, (c) the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes, and (d) the trailer is not used for the carriage of passengers DE Combinations of a motor vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle is in category D but the combination does not fall within that category. F Agricultural or forestry tractors, including any such vehicle drawing a trailer but excluding any motor vehicle included in category H. G Road rollers H Track-laying vehicles steered by their tracks K Mowing machines which do not fall within category A and vehicles controlled by a pedestrian. L Motor vehicles propelled by electrical power N Vehicles used for short distances on public roads P Mopeds Codes National codes Description 101 Not for hire and reward 102 Drawbar trailers only 103 Subject to certificate of training 107 Not more than 8250 kg 108 Subject to minimum age requirements 110 Limited to invalid carriages 113 Limited to 16 passenger seats except for automatics 115 Organ donor 118 Start date is for the earliest entitlement 119 Weight limit does not apply Professional drivers Certificate of professional competence is issued YES Code 95 is marked on the driving licence NO Additional information Photo update required every 10 years to age 70.