The new driving licence card design explained :Cross Stitch – Motoring

From 19 January 2024 all driving licences issued by DVLA will be in a new format. Old format licences will still be valid, they will be updated gradually as they are renewed and replaced. Find out more about the new style driving licence.

Front of the driving licence

The front of the card will record your current surname, first names, date and place of birth.

It will include your driver licence and issue number, and the start and end date of your licence. It will also include a black and white electronic copy of your photo and an electronic copy of your signature.

The front of the card will show the vehicles you are entitled to drive.

If you have a full licence your provisional entitlement will be shown on the counterpart.

If you hold a provisional licence your provisional entitlement will be shown on the front of your card.

A colour photograph will need to be provided with your application to be stored on your driver record.

Back of driving licence

The back of the card will have the vehicle categories the holder can and cannot drive. All categories the holder can drive will display valid from and valid to dates. Categories the holder cannot drive will be crossed out.

Categories and pictograms

The letters in capitals and the pictures show all the categories of vehicles according to the European Third Directive.

If you are a full licence holder the paper counterpart will contain your provisional driving licence entitlement, driving offences and other relevant information.

If you are a provisional driving licence holder the counterpart will contain driving offences and other relevant information as all your provisional licence entitlement will be displayed on your driving licence card.