Renewal: In the United Kingdom, a driving licence is the official document which authorises its holder to operate motor vehicles on highways and other public roads.

[7] Individuals with a GB address can not apply for a Northern Ireland (DVA) issued driving licence and individuals with a Northern Ireland address can not apply for a GB (DVLA) issued driving licence.

In Northern Ireland, the paper counterpart is still issued and must be produced when a licence is requested by the PSNI or when taking a practical driving test.

The form which was once issued in such circumstances, the HO/RT 1, was known colloquially as "a producer", as exemplified in Smiley Culture's hit single "Police Officer".

The conditions attached to provisional licences for a particular category of vehicle are:[14] In Northern Ireland, learner drivers are limited to a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) and are not permitted on motorways regardless of whether or not they are under instruction by an ADI (Approved Driving Instructor), and drivers who have passed their test within the previous year must display R plates (restricted) and are also limited to a maximum speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) until the expiry of the restricted period.

In Northern Ireland, new drivers must display orange "R" plates for 1 year after passing the test, and are limited to a maximum speed of 45 mph (72 km/h).

This is a legal requirement and failure to display R plates results in 2 penalty points and a fine.

In the Isle of Man (a UK Crown dependency), new drivers must display "R" plates similar to those in Northern Ireland, but red, for 1 year after passing the test, and are limited to a maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

If a driver passed their car test before 1 January 1997, they are usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250 kg (18,190 lb) MAM.

[22] On 16 September 2021, the Secretary of State for Transport laid a statutory instrument[23] to retrospectively grant the BE (car and trailer) entitlement to all category B licence holders.

From 15 November 2021, all standard car licence holders will be able to tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg (7,700 lb).

[27] Subsequent changes saw the document list precisely those vehicle types for which holders were licensed.

Competency tests were introduced by the Motor Vehicles Regulations 1935 applicable to all drivers who started driving after 1 April 1934.

[28][29] Until 1974, driving licences (and tax discs) were issued by local authorities and had to be renewed every three years.

Until 2015, the licence consisted of both the photocard and a paper counterpart which detailed the individual's driving entitlements and convictions ("endorsements").

Annex 9 of the Geneva convention states that the distinguishing sign (UK) shall be inscribed in an oval.

Changes were made to all versions of the GB driving licence cards and includes:[6] The same changes apply to all versions of the Northern Ireland driving licence, excluding the Union Flag and Royal Coat of Arms.

Each licence holder in England, Scotland and Wales has a unique driver number, which is 18 characters long.

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, starting an 11-month transition period which terminated on 31 December 2020 in accordance with the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

[45][46][47] The EU flag was removed from UK driving licences when the transition period ended.

Electrically assisted pedal cycles (with 2 or 3 wheels) are exempt from the requirement for a licence provided they conform to the EAPC rules, although there is a minimum age of 14.

B licence holders who are at least 21 years of age are allowed to drive motor tricycles, including three-wheeled motorcycles with a power exceeding 15 kilowatts (20 hp).

[56] The category was abandoned because all government departments now hire or lease their vehicles from regular suppliers.

Points are added for driving offences by law courts or where the driver accepts a fixed penalty in lieu of prosecution, and the licence is endorsed accordingly.

This also significantly increases insurance premiums as a driver with penalty points is considered a much higher risk to other road users.

Twelve points on the licence within three years makes the driver liable to disqualification, usually for six months, under the "totting-up" procedure; however, this is not automatic and must be decided on by a court of law.

Initially, there were 18 such countries/regions, but an additional four, namely Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and the Republic of North Macedonia, were added from 20 May 2021.

[66][67] The UK and Norway have agreed to continue existing arrangements on mutual recognition of driving licences after Brexit.