What the issue number is and where to find it

The issue number is a two-digit code printed on your driving licence that tells you which version of your licence you hold. It starts at 01 when you first receive your licence and increases by one each time you renew it, replace it, or update your information. On a UK photocard licence, you'll find it in the bottom left corner, just below your photograph.

The issue number exists because licences are reissued throughout your driving life. You might get a new licence because yours expired, because you changed your address, because you added or removed a category of vehicle you're allowed to drive, or because your photocard needed updating. Each time that happens, you receive a fresh licence with a higher issue number — even though you're the same person with the same driving record.

This number is separate from your licence number (the long alphanumeric code that stays the same for life) and your check digit (the final digit of your licence number, used to verify the licence is genuine). The issue number is purely administrative — it tells the DVLA and anyone checking your licence how many times it has been reissued.

Key Takeaways

  • The issue number is a two-digit code in the bottom left of your photocard that shows which version of your licence you hold.
  • It starts at 01 when you first pass your test and increases by one each time you renew, replace, or update your licence.
  • The issue number is not the same as your licence number, which stays the same throughout your driving life.
  • You need to know your issue number when you renew your licence or when you're asked to provide full licence details to an employer or insurance company.

When you need to know your issue number

Most of the time, you won't need to think about your issue number at all. It's there for record-keeping and verification purposes. However, there are specific moments when you'll be asked for it.

Insurance companies often request your full licence details, including the issue number, when you take out a new policy or renew an existing one. They use it to verify your licence is current and to check your driving history against the DVLA's records. Similarly, employers — particularly those hiring drivers or people in safety-sensitive roles — may ask for your issue number as part of a background check or licence verification process.

When you renew your licence through the DVLA, you'll also see your issue number on the renewal paperwork. If you're replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged licence, the DVLA will issue you a new one with an incremented issue number. You don't choose this number; it's assigned automatically.

How the issue number changes over time

Your issue number increases in predictable circumstances. The most common reason is a standard renewal: UK photocard licences are valid for 10 years, so most drivers renew once per decade. When your 10 years are up, you send your old licence to the DVLA, they issue a new one, and your issue number goes from (for example) 01 to 02.

You'll also receive a new issue number if you change your name, address, or other personal details on your licence. If you pass a test to drive a new category of vehicle — say, you pass your HGV test after holding a standard car licence — the DVLA reissues your licence to add that category, and your issue number increments. The same happens if you lose categories due to medical reasons or if you voluntarily surrender a category.

If your photocard is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can request a replacement. The replacement will have a new issue number, even though nothing about your driving record or entitlements has changed. This is why someone might have an issue number of 05 or higher even if they've only been driving for a few years — they may have had several replacements or updates.

Reading your licence number versus your issue number

Your licence contains several numbers, and it's straightforward to confuse them. Your licence number is the long code made up of letters and numbers — it's unique to you and never changes. It appears in the middle section of your photocard and is based on your name, date of birth, and a check digit.

The issue number is much shorter: just two digits. It's always in the bottom left corner of the photocard, below your photograph. If you're asked for your "full licence details," you typically need to provide both your licence number and your issue number, so it's worth knowing where both are located on your card.

Your check digit is the last digit of your licence number and is used by computers to verify that your licence number is valid. You won't usually need to quote it separately, but it's part of your licence number if someone asks you to read it out in full.

What happens if you don't know your issue number

If you're asked for your issue number and you don't have your licence with you, you can check it by looking at your physical card. There's no online tool to look up your issue number without your licence — the DVLA doesn't provide a search service for this information.

If your licence is lost or stolen and you need to provide your issue number before you can report it, contact the DVLA directly. They can look up your details using your name and date of birth and tell you what your current issue number is. You can reach them by phone or through their website.

For insurance or employment purposes, if you genuinely cannot access your licence, explain the situation to the organisation asking for it. Many will accept a photocopy of your licence or a screenshot if you have one, or they may be willing to verify your details directly with the DVLA instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a high issue number mean I've had driving problems?

No. A high issue number straightforward means your licence has been reissued multiple times, which could be due to renewals, address changes, replacements, or updates to your driving categories. It has no connection to your driving record or any penalties you may have received.

Will my issue number change if I get penalty points?

No. Penalty points are recorded on your driving record at the DVLA, but they don't trigger a new licence to be issued. Your issue number only changes when the DVLA physically reissues your licence card.

What if the issue number on my licence looks wrong or unclear?

If the printing is damaged or illegible, you can request a replacement licence from the DVLA. Contact them with your licence number and date of birth, and they'll send you a new card with an incremented issue number. There's a fee for replacement licences unless the damage is the DVLA's fault.

Can I look up someone else's issue number?

No. Issue numbers are personal information tied to an individual's licence. Only the licence holder and authorised bodies (like the DVLA or police) can access this information. Insurance companies and employers can only see it if you provide it to them.

Does my issue number affect my insurance premium?

No. Insurance companies use your issue number to verify your licence is current and valid, but the number itself doesn't influence your premium. Your driving history, age, vehicle type, and claims history are what affect your cost.