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Driving without the correct entitlement to drive may result in a driver being issued with three to six penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.
Penalty points are not displayed on the driving licence photocard.
Drivers who accrue 12 penalty points or more on their licence within three years will be disqualified from driving for six months. However this can be longer if they have had a previous disqualification within three years.
Drivers can have their licence revoked (withdrawn), if they build up six or more penalty points within two years of passing their driving test.

Driving licence categories explain what vehicles a driver can drive. Each category of vehicle is represented by a letter, or a letter and a number. In total, there are 26 driving licence categories. They can be found on the
back of the driving licence.

Driving licence information and restriction codes, also found on the back of the driving licence, specify what conditions must be met to drive a vehicle. There are around 50 driving licence codes.

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Driving Licence Categories & Codes

Best practice tips

Always keep your driving licence safe and whenever possible, carry it with you when driving.
Know your driving licence number.
Know what categories of vehicles you are entitled to drive.
Know what endorsements and penalty points are on your driving licence.

Drivers with a photocard driving licence can view their driving licence record and details of penalty points and the time remaining until they expire, online at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence at any time.

If a driver passed their test before the 1st of January 1997, they are usually permitted to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

If a driver passed their driving test on or after 1 January 1997, they are permitted to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.

Where an offence has been committed, a penalty code will stay on the driving licence record for a number of years depending on the seriousness and circumstances.

Generally, the length of time they stay on the licence record ranges between four and eleven years. Penalty points will be removed automatically once the period has expired.