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Codes on a UK photocard licence show conditions on your driving. The ones most learners and new drivers meet are 01 for glasses or contact lenses, 02 for a hearing or communication aid, 10 to 43 for adapted car controls, and 78 for automatic only. If a code is on your licence, you must meet it every time you drive.
Codes for eyesight, hearing and automatic cars
| Code | Meaning on GOV.UK | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses | Wear your glasses or lenses whenever you drive. |
| 02 | Hearing/communication aid | Use the aid shown when driving. |
| 78 | Restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission | You passed in an automatic and cannot drive a manual car. |
For more on code 78 and upgrading, see automatic licence restrictions.
Codes for adapted cars (10 to 43)
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10 | Modified transmission |
| 15 | Modified clutch |
| 20 | Modified braking systems |
| 25 | Modified accelerator systems |
| 30 | Combined braking and accelerator systems (licences issued before 28 November 2016) |
| 31 | Pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards |
| 32 | Combined service brake and accelerator systems |
| 33 | Combined service brake, accelerator and steering systems |
| 35 | Modified control layouts |
| 40 | Modified steering |
| 42 | Modified rear-view mirror(s) |
| 43 | Modified driving seats |
Code 44, with sub-codes 44 (1) to 44 (12), covers modifications to motorbikes, such as an adapted hand grip or foot rest.
Other codes you might see
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 70 | Exchange of licence |
| 71 | Duplicate of licence |
| 79 | Restricted to vehicles matching the specifications in brackets on your licence |
| 101 | Not for hire or reward |
| 110 | Limited to transporting persons with restricted mobility |
| 114 | With any special controls required for safe driving |
| 115 | Organ donor |
| 118 | Start date is for earliest entitlement |
| 121 | Restricted to conditions specified in the Secretary of State’s notice |
The full list, including bus, lorry, trailer and moped codes, is on GOV.UK (“Driving licence codes”), as of November 2026.
How adapted-control codes end up on a licence
One of the decisions the DVLA can make after you tell it about a medical condition or disability is that you need to adapt your car by fitting special controls. When that happens, your licence is limited to cars with those controls, and the codes show which ones. A driving assessment before you start lessons helps you learn in the set-up you will actually use: see learning to drive with a disability and limb differences, short stature and wheelchair users.
Changing or removing a code
- 01: if you no longer need glasses or lenses to meet the eyesight standard, contact the DVLA about your licence.
- 78: pass a test in a manual car.
- Adapted controls: if your needs change, tell the DVLA; it decides what your licence should show.
Common questions
Does code 01 apply to my provisional licence?
Whatever the licence shows, you must meet the eyesight standard every time you drive, using glasses or lenses if you need them. See driving eyesight rules.
Where do I find my codes?
On the back of the photocard, next to each vehicle category, and on the GOV.UK “View or share your driving licence information” service.
Back to the GB medical conditions and disability guide. Related: deaf learner drivers, Blue Badge for new drivers.
Sources
- GOV.UK, “Driving licence codes” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Medical conditions, disabilities and driving: what DVLA will decide” (gov.uk)
- GOV.UK, “Driving eyesight rules” (gov.uk)