Where Is UK Driving Licence Number Located?
🔍 Where Is Your UK Driving Licence Number Located? A Simple Guide
If you’ve ever needed to prove your identity, rent a car, or apply for insurance, you’ve probably been asked to provide your UK driving licence number. It’s one of the most essential identifiers linked to your legal driving status in the UK.
But if you’re unsure where to find it or what all those characters mean — don’t worry. You’re not alone. Here’s everything you need to know about locating and understanding your UK driving licence number.
📍 Where to Find It on Your Licence
Your UK driving licence number is found on the front of your photocard licence, in Section 5. It’s a 16-character alphanumeric code that is unique to you and used by government agencies, insurers, employers, and car rental companies.
🔢 Example Breakdown:
Let’s say your name is John Smith, and your date of birth is 15 March 1980. Your driving licence number might appear as:
SMITH801503J99AB
Here’s what each part means:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| SMITH | First five letters of your surname (if your surname is shorter than 5 letters, the remaining spaces will be filled with 9s — e.g. LEE99) |
| 801503 | Date of birth and gender in a coded format: – Year (80), – Month (for females, 50 is added to the month, so 03 becomes 53), – Day (15) |
| J | The first initial of your first name |
| 99AB | Random characters used to differentiate between people with similar details and for DVLA security |
✅ Why Your Driving Licence Number Matters
Your driving licence number isn’t just a random string of letters and numbers. It serves a critical role in confirming your identity and linking you to your driving records.
Here’s why it’s important:
- 🧾 Identity Verification: Used by employers, banks, and service providers as official ID
- 🚗 Vehicle Hire: Required by most rental companies when checking eligibility
- 📄 Insurance Applications: Helps insurers access your driving history and no-claims bonus
- 🛠️ Job Applications: Especially important in transport, logistics, and roles requiring clean licences
- 📋 DVLA Services: Used to check penalty points, licence status, and renewal eligibility
- 🖥️ Online Access: Required to log into the DVLA’s View Driving Licence service
🧠 Pro Tips: Things to Remember About Your Licence Number
- 🕵️ Keep it confidential: Like your National Insurance number, it’s sensitive data.
- 📸 Double-check when submitting: A single wrong character can prevent verification.
- 🔄 It changes with name changes: If you legally change your name, your licence number may also be updated.
- 🔐 Not your driver number? Make sure you’re not confusing it with the licence issue number (Section 4b), which shows when your licence was last issued.
🧾 What If I’ve Lost My Driving Licence?
If you can’t find your driving licence but need your number urgently:
- Use the DVLA online tool: View Driving Licence
You’ll need:- Your National Insurance number
- Your postcode
- Your full name and date of birth
- Request a replacement licence: If your photocard is lost or damaged, you can apply for a replacement online at gov.uk.
🚦 Conclusion: So, Where Is the UK Driving Licence Number?
Your UK driving licence number is clearly printed in Section 5 on the front of your photocard. It’s a unique identifier that encapsulates your personal and driving data, so knowing where to find it — and what it means — is essential for any driver in the UK.
Next time you’re filling in a form for a job, renting a car, or applying for insurance, you’ll know exactly where to look and why it matters.