What the numbers on the back of your driver’s license really mean

There are a whole load of important numbers on the back of your driving license and if you ignore them you could be fined a hefty £1,000.

Make sure you understand what they mean as not only could this mean a fine but points could be added to our license.

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Section 12 of the driver’s license lists “information codes” which relate to rules and regulations about what and how you are allowed to drive.

The most common is “01” which refers to eyesight.

Any driver, regardless of vehicle size or class, with an 01 restriction on the back of their driver’s license must wear glasses or contact lenses at all times if they have notified the DVLA that they require them to drive.

If you’re stopped and police find you’re not wearing glasses or contacts, you could be fined £100 on the spot.

However, according to lawyers, roadside punishment tends to be rare, and you’re more likely to be taken to court.

This can carry a fine of 50 per cent of your weekly wages – a maximum of £1,000 – and three to six penalty points.

You must also report any changes in your vision to the DVLA so the code can be updated – this also applies if you are undergoing laser eye surgery to correct your vision.

Failing to keep your driver’s license up to date is a separate offense and can be fined £1,000 – just like Do not update your address or marital status.

Laura Newton, motor legal expert at Rothera Sharp, said: “It can be a criminal offense not to update something, but that’s only a financial penalty.

“If you don’t drive after class, it’s as if you, as a learner driver, didn’t have an L license plate on your car.

Other restrictions listed on the licenses include hearing aids, vehicle length and weight restrictions, modified steering, braking and clutch systems for people with disabilities, and automatic only licenses.

There are also restrictions on how many people you can transport and whether you can rent out the vehicle profitably.

Two codes that appear on many licenses but carry no penalty are 115 and 122.

The first relates to the fact that you are listed as an organ donor with the DVLA.

So, in the event of a fatal car accident, paramedics know you may be able to help save lives.

The code 122 means that your driver’s license is valid if you decide to take a moped basic course – provided your driver’s license was issued before 29 June 2014.

Other sections on the back of the license – numbered 9 to 11 – show the class of vehicle you are allowed to drive and the dates when and when each is valid.