Driving licences - Yearbook chapter

This chapter focuses on driving licence requirements, primarily for goods vehicles (category C and C1), plus information on medical circumstances, licence application and testing.

Updates for 2020:

• The chapter now features a timeline on the history of driver licensing.
• Changes to category B licensing regarding alternatively fuelled vehicles.
• An update on medical requirements for diabetics.
• Clarification on supervising a learner driver.

Updates for 2021:

• Changes to the driver licence definitions table with the addition categories on test pass.

• Licence category definitions to incorporate trial for e-scooters.

• Further information on older licence category definitions.

• Update on entitlements normally obtained on a car pass.

• Refreshed licence exemption table.

• The licensing applications process.

• The licence renewals section.

• Clarification on the process of adding a test pass.

• Additional information added to the age limits table.

• Information added to the cost of renewal etc. table.

• Information on medical conditions updated.

• Driver licence section amended to reflect Brexit negotiations.

• Changes to the vehicle maneuvering section table has been updated.

Download the Driver licensing chapter of the Yearbook of Road Transport Law

Contents:

• Driver licences
  • Employer responsibilities.
  • A brief history of driver licensing in the GB.
    • Removal of the counterpart.
  • Ordinary and vocational licensing.
  • Ordinary licences.
    • Key entitlements with car tests.
    • Towing trailers with vans and light goods vehicles.
    • Probationary period.
  • Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
  • Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes up to 7.5 tonnes.
  • Trailer weights.
  • Vocational licences.
    • Entitlements of vocational licence holders, qualified before 1 June 1990.
  • Other LGV entitlements.
    • Vehicles on tow.
    • Solo tractor units.
    • Large passenger carrying vehicles driven by a category C licence holder.
  • Vocational entitlements restricted to automatic transmission.
  • Driving licence code definitions.
  • Exemptions from LGV licensing.
  • Category B concession for alternatively fuelled vans.
  • Licence application.
    • Previous offences.
    • Licence renewal.
    • Additional information for drivers who need to keep their driving licence.
    • Additional requirements.
  • Photocard driving licences.
  • Photographs.
  • Photocard 10-yearly renewals.
    • Adding a test pass – photocard licence holders.
    • Provisional driving licence.
    • Full driving licence.
  • Age limits.
  • Cost and duration of licences.
  • Five-yearly renewals.
  • Lost, defaced and exchange licences.
  • Medical reports and conditions.
    • DVLA online medical reporting service.
    • Insulin-treated diabetes.
    • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS).
    • Eyesight standards.
    • Changes to the D4 medical examination report.
  • Provisional vocational licences, drivers’ hours and training.
  • Production of licence.
  • Suspension or revocation.
  • DVLA licence checking services.
    • Online driver licence checking (View My Licence).
    • Share My Licence.
    • Check Driver Licence.
    • Telephone.
    • Premium rate number.
    • By post.
    • Access to Driver Data Service (ADD).
    • Licence checking for non-UK vocational licence holders.
• Driving in Great Britain as a visitor or new resident.
  • European Community/European Economic Area.
    • EU.
    • EEA.
  • Northern Ireland.
  • Gibraltar and other designated countries.
    • Visitors.
    • Residents.
    • Vocational designated licence holders.
    • Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
  • All other countries.
    • Visitors.
    • Residents.
• LGV driving test.
  • The test vehicle.
  • Minimum test vehicle requirements.
  • Real total mass.
  • Staged testing.
  • The practical test.
  • Theory testing.
    • Manoeuvring exercise.
    • Braking exercise.
  • Waiting periods for retest before reapplying.
  • Mandatory licence presentation.
  • Failure and retest.
  • The ‘L’ plate.
  • Refund of fee.
  • Changes to the car test.

Download the Driver licensing chapter of the Yearbook of Road Transport Law