Licence code
Code 01
Eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses
01
Harmonised
Column 12
Checked on 20 December 2024.DVLA, Driving licence codes (as of 20 December 2024)
What does licence code 01 mean?
Eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses. The commonest code on the licence. It appears when you needed correction to read a number plate at 20 metres during the test, and it means you must wear it every time you drive. Driving without it is driving outside the terms of the licence.
The wording above is DVLA's own. The explanation is what it means in practice for somebody holding the licence.
Where this code sits
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 01 | Eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses |
| 02 | Hearing or communication aid |
Common questions
- What does code 01 mean on a driving licence?
- Eyesight correction, for example glasses or contact lenses. The commonest code on the licence. It appears when you needed correction to read a number plate at 20 metres during the test, and it means you must wear it every time you drive. Driving without it is driving outside the terms of the licence.
- Where is code 01 printed?
- Column 12 on the back of the photocard, on the same row as the category it applies to. A code against one category does not apply to the others, so you can be restricted on a car and unrestricted on a motorbike.
- Is code 01 a UK code or a European one?
- It is from the harmonised European set, so it reads the same on a licence issued anywhere that set applied. DVLA publishes it in one flat list with the UK codes and does not label which is which.
- What happens if I drive outside a code?
- It is driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, endorsement code LC20, which carries 3 to 6 penalty points. It can also affect an insurance claim, because the policy assumes you were entitled to be driving.