Driving Licence Number: Where To Find Card And Issue Details
Staring at your photocard trying to decipher a 16-character code while an insurance quote timer counts down is frustrating. You might be squinting at Field 5, wondering if you include the last two digits or if that small number on the back is what they really want. Getting this wrong causes rejected applications and policy delays.
I will decode the string character by character so you never mix up your Issue Number with your Check Digit again.
Key Takeaways
- Your driving licence number is a unique 16-character code found in Field 5 on the front of your card.
- It permanently encodes your surname, birth date, and initials; it does not change when you pass your test.
- The Issue Number is a separate 1 or 2-digit number on the back (Field 4b) that tracks how many times the card has been printed.
- The final two digits of the 16-character code are security checks, not the issue number.
Table of Contents
Driving Licence Number
A driving licence number is your unique identifier in the UK driving database. Think of it as a digital fingerprint held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Unlike your name, which you share with thousands of others, this code links specifically to your driving history, penalty points, and entitlements.
Legally, this number is your proof of permission to drive. When you rent a car or start a new job driving a van, the employer uses this string to verify you actually hold a valid licence. It is distinct from other numbers on the card. You must not confuse it with the licence “expiry date” or the “Issue Number,” which serves a completely different administrative function.
What Is Driving Licence Number?
A driving licence number is a 16-character alphanumeric code assigned to you when you first enter the UK driving system. It stays with you for life. Authorities generate this number using a specific algorithm that weaves your personal data into the string.
Table: The Anatomy of Your Driving Licence Number
| Characters | Data Source | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Surname | SMITH | First 5 letters of surname. |
| 6 | Birth Decade | 9 | The decade digit from birth year (e.g., 1989). |
| 7-8 | Birth Month | 06 | Month of birth (see gender rule below). |
| 9-10 | Birth Day | 15 | Day of birth. |
| 11-12 | Birth Year | 90 | The year of birth. |
| 13-14 | Initials | SJ | First two initials of forenames. |
| 15 | Check Digit | 4 | Calculated security digit. |
| 16 | Check Digit | A | Computer check character. |
This structure helps enforcement agencies verify the holder’s identity quickly. If the code implies a birth year of 1960 but the holder looks 20, it raises immediate suspicion of a fake ID.
Confused By The Numbers On Your Licence?
Stop squinting at your photocard. Our expert guide decodes Field 5, Field 4b, and check digits so your insurance quotes and applications are never rejected again.
Where Is Driving Licence Number On Card?
Locating the number is simple once you understand the layout. On the front of your UK photocard driving licence, look at the numbered list on the left side. Field 5 contains your driving licence number.
Do not confuse it with Field 1 (your surname) or Field 3 (your date of birth). While Field 5 contains data derived from those fields, it is the specific code you need for forms. Many people mistake the last two digits of this string for the issue number. This is a common error that causes insurance validation failures.
How Do I Find My Driving Licence Number?
If you have the card, look at Field 5. Read the 16 characters carefully. Ensure you distinguish between the letter ‘O’ and the number ‘0’, although the format typically avoids vowels to prevent confusion.
If you have lost your card, you cannot guess it. However, you can retrieve it online. The DVLA offers a “View Driving Licence” service. You will need your National Insurance Number and postcode to log in. Once verified, the service displays your licence details including the unique number.
If you are struggling to retrieve your details or need to verify them for a new job, use our secure verification support service. We help you navigate the DVLA portal to retrieve or confirm your details quickly, ensuring your application proceeds without delay.
Driving Licence Issue Number
The Issue Number causes more confusion than almost any other part of the card. This small number is found on the back of the card, near Field 4b.
It represents the version of the physical card you hold.
- Issue 1: Your very first photocard.
- Issue 2: A replacement card (lost or change of address).
- Issue 3: Another replacement or renewal.
Table: Driver Number vs Issue Number
| Feature | Driving Licence Number | Issue Number |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Front (Field 5) | Back (Field 4b) |
| Length | 16 Characters | 1 or 2 Digits |
| Purpose | Identifies You | Identifies the Card Version |
| Change? | Rarely / Never | Every Replacement |
This number is critical for insurance quotes. Insurers ask for it to ensure they are looking at your most current details. If you provide Issue Number 1 when you are actually on Issue Number 3, the insurer might invalidate your policy because the document you are referencing is technically out of date.
Join Thousands Who Verify Their Details First
Employers and insurers use the DVLA portal to check your record. Our step-by-step compliance guide shows you exactly how to retrieve and share your licence number correctly.
UK Driving Licence Number Format?
The UK uses a standard 16-character alphanumeric format. As mentioned, it strings together your surname, birth date, and initials.
The Surname Padding Rule:
If your surname is shorter than five letters, the remaining spaces are filled with the number 9.
- Example: If your surname is Lee, your code starts with LEE99.
The Gender Encoding Rule:
In the month section (characters 7 and 8), the system adds 50 to the month for female drivers.
- Male: Born June (06) -> Code: 06
- Female: Born June (06) -> Code: 56
This is a legacy system to encode gender into the file, though modern systems track gender separately.
Does Driving Licence Number Include Last 2 Digits UK?
Yes, the last two digits are part of the 16-character driving licence number. However, they are not the “Issue Number.”
The final two characters are “check digits.” These are calculated values that automated systems use to verify the previous 14 characters were typed correctly. When a form asks for your “Driving Licence Number,” you must include all 16 characters. When a form asks specifically for your “Issue Number,” look at the back of the card.
Download The Licence Number Anatomy Table
Our printable breakdown explains all 16 characters—from surname padding to gender encoding. Keep it handy next time you fill out a form.
Driving Licence Number Example?
Let us decode a fictional driver: Sarah Jane Smith, born June 15, 1990.
Breakdown:
- Surname (Smith): SMITH
- Decade (1990): 9
- Month (June): 56 (Female encoding: 06 + 50)
- Day (15): 15
- Year (90): 90
- Initials (SJ): SJ
- Check Digits: 4A
Constructed Number: SMITH9561590SJ4A
Table: Common Form Rejection Errors
| Error Type | What You Did Wrong | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid Format | Typed the Issue Number as part of the 16 digits. | Ensure you only use the long code on the front. |
| Check Digit Fail | Swapped a number (e.g., 90 vs 09). | Re-read your birth date section carefully. |
| Wrong Issue No | Used “00” or “1” when you have lost cards before. | Check the back of your current card (Field 4b). |
Privacy Warning: Never share your real driving licence number on public forums or social media. It is a key piece of identity data that fraudsters can use to clone your identity.
Driving Licence Number Explained?
To summarize, the code is a secure summary of who you are. The first chunk identifies your family name. The middle chunk pinpoints your exact birth date and gender. The final chunk identifies you as an individual within that family and birth date group.
This structure helps prevent duplicates. Two people named John A. Jones born on the same day will have different check digits. Understanding this helps you spot errors. If you are transcribing your number and the month section says “13” (an impossible month), you know you have made a mistake.
Provisional Driving Licence Number?
Many new drivers worry that their number will change when they pass their test. Here is the good news: your provisional driving licence number follows the exact same format and usually stays with you when you upgrade.
The DVLA issues your provisional licence number when you first apply (usually age 16 or 17). Once you pass your driving test, they update your record to “Full Entitlement,” but they do not change the identifier. This consistency is helpful because it allows insurers and employers to track your driving history from day one.
However, you must update your photocard. When you pass, you will get a new card (and a new Issue Number), but the 16-character code on the front remains the same.
Is Your Issue Number Up To Date?
Using an old Issue Number can invalidate your insurance policy. Check Field 4b on your current card and verify your details match what insurers see.
Does Your Driving Licence Number Change?
In most cases, no. Your number is a permanent link to your driving record.
There are very rare exceptions.
- Gender Reassignment: If you legally change your gender, the encoded data in the month section (the +50 rule) may need updating to reflect your current status.
- Administrative Error: If the DVLA initially issued a number with incorrect surname data, they might reissue it.
- Identity Theft: In extreme cases of fraud, the DVLA might issue a new number to protect you.
For the vast majority of drivers, the number you get at 17 is the number you will have at 70. Only the expiry dates and issue numbers will change.
Check Driving Licence Number?
You might need to verify a licence number for several reasons. Employers often check the validity of a licence before hiring a driver. Car hire agencies check it before handing over keys.
The official method is the DVLA’s “Share Driving Licence” service. This generates a unique code that allows a third party to view your driving record online for a limited time.
Step 1: Log in to the DVLA portal.
Step 2: Select “Share your licence.”
Step 3: Generate a code (e.g., V1234567).
Step 4: Give this code to your employer.
Never just send a photo of your licence to a stranger. The photo contains your address, signature, and licence number—a complete toolkit for identity fraud.
Are you an employer or recruiter? Access our step-by-step compliance guide. We explain how to use the DVLA share code system correctly to ensure your candidates are legally allowed to drive, protecting your business from liability.
Provide Licence Number?
When should you share this number? You are legally required to provide it in specific situations:
- Police Stops: If a police officer asks for your licence.
- Court Proceedings: If requested by a court.
- Insurance: When setting up or renewing a policy.
- Vehicle Rental: To verify you can drive the hire car.
However, be careful. If a private parking firm or a random website asks for your driving licence number, ask why they need it. They usually only need the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM), not your personal driver ID. Scammers often pose as official bodies to harvest these numbers.
Can You Decode It?
Can You Decode It?
UK driving licence format · 3 questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Licence Number
What Is A Driving Licence Number And How Is It Used In The UK?
It is a 16-character alphanumeric code issued by the DVLA. It serves as a unique reference for your driving record. Police, insurers, and the DVLA use it to track your entitlements, penalty points, and driving history.
What Is The UK Driving Licence Number Format And How Is It Structured?
It is structured as 5 letters (surname) followed by 6 digits (birth decade, month, day, year), then 2 letters (initials), and finally 2 check digits. It encodes your personal identity into a machine-readable format.
