Driver's license

Current EU driving licence, German version - front
1. Family name
2. Given name(s)
3. Date and place of birth
4a. Issuing date
4b. Expiry date
4c. Issuing authority
5. Licence number
7. Signature of bearer
9. Categories

German version reverse
9. Licence categories
10. Issue date of the category
11. Expiry date of the category
12. restrictions (number coded)

A driver's license, driver license, operator license (U.S), driving licence (UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malta), driver licence (Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or driver's permit (Israel), is an official document which states that a person has the necessary qualifications to operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or a bus. Driver's licenses are generally issued after the recipient has passed a driving test and proved that they meet the age requirement. Different categories of license may exist for different types of motor vehicle. The difficulty of the driving test may vary considerably between jurisdictions and so do the prerequisites.

History

France and Germany were among the earliest countries to require mandatory driver licensing, right at the start of the 20th century. As automobile-related fatalities soared in North America, public outcry provoked legislators to begin studying the French and German statutes as models.

On August 1, 1910, North America's first driver licensing law went into effect in the U.S. state of New York, though it initially applied only to professional chauffeurs . In July of 1913, the state of New Jersey became the first to require all drivers to pass a mandatory examination before receiving a license .

Identification

Because a large number of countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States have no national identification cards and because of the widespread use of cars, driver's licenses are often used as the standard form of identification. In such countries, driver's license bureaus also issue identification cards for non-drivers. (However, as of 2008, Americans will be required to present a passport for entry into Canada or Mexico.)

Some U.S. states, such as Arizona, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Washington, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, Iowa, and Wisconsin require licenses and ID cards issued to those under 21 to have a vertical orientation instead of the usual horizontal one in order to aid in determining whether one is of legal drinking age. California has adopted a similar system for its licenses, having the picture appear on the right for drivers under 21 and on the left for drivers 21 and older. Many states also add information to their licenses, such as "Age 21 in 2009" or "Age 18 in 2005" to aid in enforcing the drinking age and provisional license restrictions.

Many European countries require adults to carry an ID card at all times. Citizens of the UK and Ireland and other EU countries which have no national ID cards, have to carry their passports instead when travelling in these countries. In the People's Republic of China, the driver's license number is synonymous with the citizen's ID number (and is up to 18 digits long).

Similarly, Saudi Arabia requires all drivers to carry an ID card in addition to a license, and present them whenever requested. Using a driver's license instead is only permitted if the request is made for on-site inspection/identification purposes, especially at check points. Expatriates may be requested to present their visas as well.

Organ donation

In the United States, the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act encourages the various states to set up programs through which licensed drivers can make organ donations for the purpose of transplant by a notation on their licenses.

Likewise, in the United Kingdom many choose to have an intention to donate organs listed on their licence, however it is by no means compulsory.

In Australia, the system of notating organ donation requests on driver's licenses was replaced in July 2005 with a national organ donor register, administered under the auspices of Medicare.

Country specifics

Australia

Licensing laws in Australia differ between different states and territories; however, most involve a similar procedure and a graduated licensing scheme.

In New South Wales, the minimum age for a Learner’s Permit is 16 for cars and 16 and 9 months for motorcycles. Since the introduction of an enhanced graduated licensing scheme in 2000, new drivers must proceed through 3 different stages before gaining a full, unrestricted licence. Allowing for the mandatory periods of time between each licence, the effective minimum age of full licensing is 20.

The minimum age for a P1 licence is 17 and the mandatory periods of time between each licence makes the effective minimum age of full licensing 20.

• A Learner's Permit, gained after passing a computerised knowledge test. Learner drivers are permitted to drive accompanied by a full, unrestricted licence holder (usually a parent or professional driving instructor). Learner drivers are subjected to numerous restrictions: a maximum speed of 80 km/h, a zero alcohol limit, cannot tow a trailer, and must conspicuously display black-on-yellow 'L-plates' while driving. Learner drivers must complete at least 50 hours (verified by a log book completed by the supervising driver) of on-road driving experience, and must hold the permit for at least six months, before they may apply for a Provisional (P1) Licence. In an intentional quirk of the system, drivers may apply for a Learner's permit at the age of 16, but the minimum age for a P1 licence is 17/18; drivers who apply for a Learner's permit on their sixteenth birthday must therefore hold the licence for a year before progressing to the next stage. This is thought to encourage extra driving experience for younger applicants.
• A Provisional (P1) Licence (commonly called P's) is gained after six months and successful completion of a practical driving test. The licence holder can drive unaccompanied, but is limited to a maximum speed of 90 km/h, towing trailers of up to 250kg, and a zero alcohol limit. They must display red-on-white 'P-plates' while driving. P1 drivers are limited to a total of three demerit points during the term of the licence, as compared to the 12-point limit on unrestricted licences. P1 drivers must hold the licence for one year before progressing to the next stage. In Victoria, the minimum age to be eligible for a P-plate is 18 and drivers are not speed limited..
• A Provisional (P2) Licence (in New South Wales only) is gained after one year and successful completion of a computerised hazard perception test. The driver is restricted to a speed limit of 100km/h, a zero alcohol limit, and a maximum of six demerit points; however, they are eligible to upgrade the class of their licence, such as those for heavier vehicles. P2 drivers must display a green-on-white 'P-plate' at all times. P2 drivers must hold the licence for two years before progressing to the next stage.
• A full, unrestricted licence is gained after two years and successful completion of another computerised test. Unrestricted drivers progress through different "colour" licences: black, silver and gold.

There are several common complaints about the NSW licensing scheme. The relatively high number of road accidents and traffic offences involving P-plate drivers (such as speeding and drink-driving) has prompted calls for further driving restrictions, such as curfews and passenger restrictions, as implemented in other countries. Some consider 50 hours to be insufficient experience for learner drivers. Also, the blanket speed restrictions on Learner and Provisional drivers can pose problems on country roads and freeways, where learner drivers are restricted to 80km/h while other drivers may travel up to 110km/h. In Victoria, this problem is avoided by not imposing speed restrictions on newly licenced drivers.

In Victoria, citizens are eligible for their Learner's Permits at age 16, which required a computerised knowledge test, then are restricted only to driving whilst accompanied by a fully licensed driver. They must also display 'L' Plates, have a 0.0 BAC and may not tow trailers. Learner's Permits must be held for at least 6 months, unless the holder is over 25, then it is 3 months. It should be noted that unlike New South Wales, there are no speed restrictions, nor is there a requirement for hours of experience (although 120 hours are recommended.)

Probationary Licences are able to be obtained at age 18, after passing a hazard perception test and a driving test. The 0.0 BAC restriction remains and furthermore, P platers are not allowed to drive 'high powered vehicles' (those powered at more than 125kw/ton.) Unlike NSW, there is only one style of Probationary Licence and as with Learners Permits, there are no speed restrictions. Victorian 'P Plates' are a white P with a red background, but in this state the colour isn't very relevant.

In Western Australia, drivers who have had their licence revoked can obtain an Extraordinary Licence if they can demonstrate that the loss of their licence inflicts hardship and pay a AU$500 fine. The Extraordinary Licence permits them only to drive to avoid the hardship, for example to and from work.

Tourists and visitors staying less than three months are permitted to drive on the licence of their home country. If the licence is not written in English, then an acceptable translation of the licence must be carried at all times. Visitors staying more than three months must apply for a licence in the state in which they reside.

In Australia, where there is no form of national identity card, driver's licences serve as the primary means of photo identification; 'proof of age' cards were available for non-drivers. These have been replaced by Photo cards from Dec 2005. Licences and Photo Cards are hologrammed, and contain a photograph, signature, the driver's address and organ donor status.

• The Road and Traffic Authority of New South Wales
• A ‘Demonstration’ Driver Knowledge Test for Learner Drivers
• Road Users Handbook (PDF)

As of 2005, Queensland licences are now called a "Driver Licence" (as opposed to the traditional "Driver's Licence", or the more grammatically correct "Driving Licence"), and no longer carry information about the holder's organ donor status. The Australian Organ Donor Register is now used for national registration of tissue donation status, due to criticism of the previous schemes.

Elderly drivers are required to have their licences renewed more often and required to have compulsory eye tests, which does not include colour vision (which is in theory important for understanding traffic signals, although colour blind people can in practice tell by position, this requires more concentration).

As of January 1 2007, Victoria will be having the licence system based around the NSW one. Learners will be able to be obtained at the same as now (16 years old), but VICroads will introduce the new Probationary 1 (Green) which can be obtained when the person turns 18, and Probationary 2 (Red) which can be obtained when the person turns 21. This is to help reduce the amount of inexperienced drivers on the road. The new P-Plates will have certain limitations. (Example: P-Platers are not allowed to drive V8's, or anything more powerful than a V6; P-Platers are not allowed to drive between certain times) And there will be differences between the two P-Plates as well (aside from the colour). These difference will include the number of passengers allowed, the Blood-Alcohol level etc. And the full licence will be able to be obtained after at least 3 years on P-2's.

Canada

Canada's driving age is, like the U.S., determined on a state-by-state basis.

The driving age in the various Canadian states are:

• Quebec: 16 years
  • Learners permit: Available at age 16 (with adult consent), with the passing of a multiple choice road theory test, a driving permit is issued which allows the learning driver to drive on roads accompanied by someone with full valid driver's licence.
  • Probationary licence: Available after having held a learners permit for 12 months or 8 months if the driver has completed a certain number of driving lessons with recognized driving school. Probationary licence is acquired after successfully completing a road test.
  • Driver's licence: Finished a two year probationary period, if aged 16-24; or if the driver has passed the probationary licence driving test, if age 25 or older.

• Ontario: 16 years
  • Learners permit (G1): Available at age 16, with the passing of a multiple choice road theory test, a driving permit is issued which allows the learning driver to drive on roads accompanied by someone with full valid driver's licence whose BAC is less than .05 and has been fully licenced for four years. The driver also cannot drive roads with a posted speed limit over 80 km/h (50 MPH) or between 12:00 AM - 5:00 AM and must maintain their own BAC at zero.
  • Probationary licence (G2): Available after having held a learners permit for 12 months or 8 months if the driver has completed a certain number of driving lessons with recognized driving school. Probationary licence is acquired after successfully completing a road test. At this point the driver must still maintain a BAC of zero. As of 2005 drivers with a G2 licences are restricted in the number of passengers under 19 that they can carry during night-time driving.
  • Full licence (G): After 1 year of possessing the G2 licence a driver can take an additional road test that often includes driving on a four lane divided highway. With successful completion they will obtain a full licence which carries no restrictions and are not required to take any further tests until 80 providing they renew their licence regularly. Drivers 80 years of age and over must complete a vision and knowledge test and participate in a 90-minute group education session to renew their licence.

Ontario has been using a graduated licensing system since 1994. A driver can take as little as 20 months to get a full license, however a driver must have a full license (G) within 5 years of obtaining a learners permit (G1).

The exact same process, except with other restrictions, is used for obtaining a motorcycle (M) license.

In Ontario, there was a recently proposed legislation to deny driver's licences to high school dropouts until they turned 18. It was meant as an incentive for students to graduate.

• Nova Scotia:16 years
  • For Class 7 or 8 licences, the Learner's stage of the system lasts for 6 months, which may be reduced to 3 months if a recognized driver education or training program is taken. Operating conditions at this stage include: No passengers, except an experienced driver who holds at least a Class 5 licence; and, Zero blood alcohol level for the learning driver. suspensions will delay graduation to the newly licensed driver stage by the minimum time requirement; that is, 3 months if a recognized driver education or training program was taken, 6 months if not. Once a road test has been successfully completed, the learner becomes Newly Licensed for a minimum of two years. Operating conditions include: Zero blood alcohol level for the newly licensed driver; Only one front seat passenger and rear seat(s) passengers limited to the number of available seat belts; No upgrade beyond a Class 5 driver's licence; and, No driving between midnight and 5:00AM, unless accompanied by an experienced driver. A newly licensed driver may apply for an exemption from the night time driving curfew for employment purposes. The driver must take the most direct route to and from work, and is not permitted to have any passengers in the vehicle.
  • To "graduate" from the newly licensed driver stage, the driver must successfully complete a 6 hour Defensive Driving course or complete the full Driver Training Course (25 hours theory, 10 hours driving time). A copy of your graduation certificate must be provided, in person or by mail, to any Registry of Motor Vehicles office for recording purposes. Licence suspensions will delay graduation to the regular driver stage by 2 years from the date the licence is reinstated.

• British Columbia: 16 years
  • Learner's Permit (Class 7L): This permit can first be obtained at age 16, and requires a person under the age of 19 to be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian. To obtain this permit, one must take a medical and knowledge test, which requires 80% to pass. A person holding this license must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver over 25. The driver must maintain a blood-alcohol count of 0 (e.g. none in their blood), display a large 'L' decal on the back of their vehicle, have no more than 2 passengers (including the supervisor), and must not drive between 12AM-5AM. The 7L license is good for 2 years. After 12 months (9 if the person has taken an approved driving course), the licensee must take a 45 minute driving test to advance to the next level.
  • Novice Permit (Class 7): Also called the "N" stage, the permit is obtained after completion of the Class 7L driving test. A Class 7 license is good for 5 years, and the stage takes a minimum of 2 years to complete. Restrictions include 0 blood alcohol and a limit of one passenger (the limit being waived for anyone in the immediate family). Furthermore, any infraction of the traffic law by the possessor of a Class 7 License can result in a prohibition, after which the possessor must begin the Class 7N program from the start. After 2 years, the license-holder may take the 60 minute Class 7N road test. Passage grants a full license (a Class 5 passenger vehicle license).
  • Full Vehicle License (Class 5): This is a full passenger-vehicle license. It has no additional restrictions, unlike the Class 7 licenses.

British Columbia has been using a graduated licensing system for many years. The program was last revised in October 2003, which involved large changes in the time it took to acquire a license (previously, a person could complete the Class 7L stage in as little as 3 months, and the Class 7N in 12, and no passenger limit was enforced above Class 7L).

European Union

Driving licences within the European Union are subdivided into different categories.

In most European countries (after the standardisation of driver's licenses across the European Union in 1998) a person must be at least 17 or 18 years old to drive a car.

Some categories like C and D will be issued for 5 years only. After expiration, one needs a medical check-up necessary in order to renew the licence for another 5 years.

In March 2006, the Council of Ministers approved plans to create a single European driving licence to replace the 110 different models currently in existence throughout the EU. The plans are supported by the European Commission and the European Parliament meaning a law should be in place by the end of 2006. National licences will then be phased out between 2012 and 2032..

Categories valid in all EU countries

• Category A: Motorcycles.
  • Category A limited: Motorcycles up to a maximum power of 25 kW.
  • Category A1: Light Motorcycles with a maximum engine capacity of 125 cm³ and a maximum power of 11 kW (minimum age: 16 years; speed limit of 80 km/h in some countries).
• Category B: Passenger vehicle with a maximum mass of 3.5 t and not more than 8 seats (excluding the driver); with a trailer with a maximum mass of 750 kg, or the mass of an empty car if the total mass of both is less than 3.5 t.
• Category C: Vehicles of more than 3.5 t mass and not more than 8 + 1 seats (lorry); with a trailer with a maximum mass of 750 kg.
  • Category C1: light lorry with a mass not more than 7.5 t; with a trailer with a maximum mass of 750 kg.
• Category D: Vehicles with more than 8 + 1 seats (buses).
  • Category D1: light buses with a maximum of 16 + 1 seats.
• Category E (combined only with B, C, C1, D or D1): other trailers which are heavier than 750 kg. In combination with C1E and D1E, the maximum total mass of vehicle and trailer is 12 tonnes and the mass of the empty vehicle must be higher than the mass of the trailer. Carrying passengers in a trailer of category D1E is prohibited. Some countries write the E before the other category, e.g. EB, ED. An articulated lorry is category EC.

Furthermore there are more national categories for tractors, very light motorcycles, motorised wheel chairs, motor tricycles (modern voiturettes, Category B1 or S) and military categories such as for driving tanks.

United Kingdom

The driving age for a car or van is 17 (unless in receipt of a full disability allowance, when you can obtain a provisional licence at the age of 16 years), while a moped or restricted-power motorcycle can be ridden at 16. Until a driving test has been passed (which consists of three sections: a theory test, a hazard perception test, and a supervised driving examination) a driver will hold a Provisional Licence and must display learner plates (a large red L on a white background, or optionally a large red D (Welsh: Dysgwr) on a white background if the learner does not leave Wales) on the front and back of the vehicle. They must also be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years of age and has held a full driving licence for at least three years. [1] If a person holding a provisional licence receives points on his/her licence, they will be unable to drive for six months, no matter how many points they may receive. In Northern Ireland, learner drivers are limited to a speed of 45mph. Drivers who have passed their test within the previous year must display a "R" plates (restricted) and are also limited to a speed of 45mph until the expiry of the restricted period. "R" plates are similar in style to "L" plates, with a thick-set red R displayed on a white background.

Registration was introduced in 1903 with the Motor Car Act. Competency tests were introduced in 1934 by the Motor Vehicles Regulations 1935; they were suspended in 1939 for seven years due to the Second World War and in 1956 for one year due to the Suez Crisis. The only person in the United Kingdom who is not required to have a driving licence in order to drive is the Queen. She also does not require number plates on any of her cars.

Until July 1998 , mainland Great Britain driving licences did not have photographs. Anyone who holds a licence issued before this date may retain their photo-less licence until expiry (normally one's seventieth birthday) or until they change address, whichever comes sooner. The new "photocard" driving licences are a two-part document, a plastic photocard which has to be renewed every ten years, and a paper sheet (the "Counterpart Driving Licence") which is valid until the holder's seventieth birthday.

File:MN00623A.jpg

The UK uses the point system to handle repeat offenders. Points are given for traffic offences, e.g. typically three to six points for a speeding offence. Points remain on the licence for four years from conviction (eleven years for drink- and drug-related convictions) - twelve points on the licence makes the driver liable to disqualification by a court, but not automatic disqualification, contrary to popular belief. Since The New Drivers Act in 1997, if a person in the two years after passing their first practical test accumulates six penalty points, their licence is revoked by the DVLA and the driver has to reapply and pay for the provisional licence, drive as a learner, and pay for and take the theory and practical tests before being allowed to drive on their own. In the case of particularly egregious offences, the court may order the driver to pass an extended driving test before the licence is returned, even for people out of the two-year probation period.

Licences issued to residents of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland appear only in English, whilst those issued to residents of Wales appear in both English and Welsh.

See also: UK Driving Licence codes

Denmark

In Denmark learners can start when they are 18 years old, only with an authorized driving teacher. The multiple choice theory test can be taken before the 18th birthday, but not the practical test. The theory test is a dias slide with 25 pictures and 2-4 questions to each picture. Maximum 5 errors are allowed. Category E is 20 pictures/4 errors.

Many people take category A and B at the same time, as well as C and C/E at the same time.

Denmark does not use the C1 and D1 categories. This means a truck (C) or a bus (D) licence covers all respectively truck or bus not covered by the car (B) licence. A B/E licence only allows heavy trailers on cars, even if the driver has a C or D permit.

Tractor/Motorized equipment (T/M) permit can be obtained when the driver is 16 years old, as well as a moped licence. T/M allows driving a moped, but not the other way. Anyone older than 17 can drive a moped, and anyone with B licence can drive tractors and Motorized equipment. Motorized equipment would be things like combine harvesters, steam rollers, loaders, excavators and other vehicles driving maximum 30 km/h.

Driving forklifts requires a special permit.

Carrying hazardous goods requires an ADR-permit.

Commercial passenger traffic (route bus, tourist bus, taxi) requires a 5-year licence.

Some traffic violations will incur a klip ("cut") in the licence. The cut is not physical, but refers to the klippekort (cutting-card). The cuts are actually remarks in the police database. The licence, though, only allows 3 cuts before the police keep it. Young drivers and probation drivers (those who re-obtained the license) only get 2 cuts for a certain period.

India

Each state has a "Regional Transport Authority" or RTO which issues licences. Minimum age is 16 years for small motorcycles (50cc or less) and 18 for all other vehicles. Drivers have to appear for an oral test to get a learners licence which is valid for 6 months. Drivers can then pass a driving test to get the drivers licence. There are different categories of licence such as Motorcycle, Light Motor Vehicle (LMV), and Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV). In many states of India, a learner's licence is granted after passing a written test and then if one passes the practical test, one receives a full licence.

Most of the legislation as regarding licensing is done through the 'Rules of the Road Regulation' and the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. As per the MV Act, every vehicle should have 1) Certificate of Registration 2) Certificate of Taxation 3) Certificate of Insurance 4) A Fitness Certificate (in case it is a public transport vehicle)

The driver of the vehicle should have the original copy of the driving license. He/she should also have an additional Badge if he/she is driving a taxi or any other public transport vehicle. A police officer or any other official notified by the government can ask for the vehicle-related documents, and the driver would have to produce them within 24 hours at the police station (or the concerned department). The law permits the officials to seize the driving license, and issue a temporary one for a specified time. The law also allows the state government to fix the amount of fines/jail terms for minor traffic violations, and who has the rights to enforce these rules.

New Zealand

New Zealand has had a graduated driver licence system since 1987. It consists of three phases for a car licence:

• Learner Licence, which is gained after scoring 32 out of 35 (or better) on a multiple-choice test relating to road rules. Once gained, it allows a learner to drive provided they display black-on-yellow learner plates and are accompanied by a "supervisor" (being any person who has held a Full Licence for at least two years). The learner licence is a blue plastic card.
• Restricted Licence, which requires one having held a Learner Licence for six months (three months if aged over 25) and passing a twenty-minute practical driving test. This allows a driver to drive without L-plates, and without a supervisor between 5am and 10pm if not carrying passengers. It is a yellow plastic card.
• Full Licence, which requires having held a Restricted Licence for eighteen months, or twelve months for someone who has taken a defensive driving course (six and three months respectively for people aged over 25), and passing a more thorough, hour-long driving test. It allows a driver to drive at any time with passengers, and after two years to supervise Learner and Restricted drivers. It is a green plastic card.

Alternatively, people who gained a licence before 1987 (or holders of overseas licences) can usually obtain a Full Licence without needing to take a driving test.

A Learner licence can be applied for at age fifteen. This means the minimum possible age to gain a Full Licence is sixteen and a half. In recent years, there have been proposals to raise the minimum driving age to 16 or 17, but so far they have never come to pass, due to objections from farmers who say that their children need to learn to drive early in life because of limited public transport.

The car licence allows the holder to drive a moped, tractor, or all-terrain vehicle as well as a car, however, motorbikes and heavy vehicles require separate licences.

Driver licences carry a unique identifying number, date of birth and photograph of the holder, and apart from passports and a special-purpose 18+ card are the only legal form of ID for buying alcohol or tobacco. They also carry a legend declaring whether or not the holder wishes to donate his or her organs if he or she dies on the road, however, the next-of-kin are consulted first and decide whether or not organs will be donated regardless of the wishes of the licence-holder.

Drivers must carry their licence at all times while driving. If they fail to do so they may face a fine of NZ$55.

• Land Transport Safety Authority car licensing site

Norway

Norwegian driving licenses (Bokmål: Førerkort, Nynorsk: Førarkort) adhere to the EEA-standard. One of the more peculiar security features is Ivar Aasen's poem Nordmannen engraved in minuscule writing in the lower right corner on the back.

Minimum age for cars is 18 years. Mopeds (50 cc, max 45 km/h), smaller motorcycles (engine capacity equal to, or less than 125 cubic centimetres) and tractors is 16 years. Most larger truck licences require holder to be 21 years old. Although Norway is not part of the EU, the licence is in the form of an EU licence. At the age of 16, you are allowed to drive accompanied by a parent, as long as you've finished a course called "trafikalt grunnkurs" (traffic elementary course). This "trafikalt grunnkurs" course will cost you $270-$415, depending on different seasons of the year. Some secondary schools offer a "trafikalt grunnkurs" along with a moped or tractor course, which is significantly cheaper than regular driving schools.

Since January 1, 2004, the point system (Norwegian: Prikkbelastning) is used by Norwegian authorities to handle traffic offenders. Two points will be issued for most violations except for in the smallest speeding cases. If eight points or more is issued during a three-year period, the driving license holder loses the right to drive for six months.

• Template:No icon Statens Vegvesen (Directorate of Public Roads) - explanation of the point system

Singapore

The minimum age to get a driving licence in Singapore is 18 years old. A provisional driving licence is needed before a learner driver can drive the car on the public roads (must be 18 years old as well). You can only apply for this provisional driving licence if you pass a multiple choice test known as the Basic Theory Test, which is conducted by the Singapore's Traffic Police. This licence itself carries several restrictions, of which some are listed below.

• A Certified Driving Instructor must be present to guide the Learner Driver.
• A learner driver is not allowed to use the expressway.
• A "L" plate must be placed at the rear of the car.

Upon the passing of a Final Theory Test, the learner driver can then proceed to take the Practical Driving Test. A Driving Licence will be issued upon the passing of the Practical Driving Test. Then on, the licence holder undergoes a 1 year probation period. During this period, he is required to display one triangular plate at the top right portion of the front windscreen, and the other triangular plate at the top right portion of the rear windscreen. He or she is also not allowed to accumulate more than 12 demerit points (versus more than 24 demerit points for full licence holders), after which the licence may be suspended or revoked.

If you hold a foreign driving licence and intend to remain in Singapore for less than twelve months, you are not required to convert your foreign driving licence to a Singapore driving licence. You may drive in Singapore with a valid foreign driving licence. However, if your licence is not in English, in addition to a valid foreign driving licence, you are required to have an International Driving Permit. If an International Driving Permit is not available, an official translation of your driving licence in English is required.

To convert to a Singapore driving licence, you are required to pass the Basic Theory Test (BTT) which will familiarise you with traffic rules and Singapore's Highway Code pertaining to traffic related issues peculiar to Singapore. A Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) who wishes to drive in Singapore is required to convert his foreign driving licence after becoming a PR.

Drink Driving and using your hand phone while driving (without a hands-free set) are serious offences. In addition to your licence being revoked, the offender may be charged in court and be fined/jailed.

• Singapore Traffic Police's website on Driving in Singapore

Switzerland

Since the 2000s, Switzerland uses the EU system of vehicle categories, issues EU-style credit-card licences and has generally adopted much of the harmonised EU legislation with regard to drivers' licences.

To apply for a car driver's licence (category B), the applicant must be 18 years old. They must first pass a theoretical exam to receive a learner's permit valid for two years. This allows them to drive a car while accompanied by an individual of at least 23 years of age who has possessed a valid licence for at least three years. Driving on highways is only allowed for learning drivers who are "ready for the exam".

During the two years, eight hours of theoretical traffic instruction by a cantonally certified driving instructor must be attended. Practical driving lessons are not legally required, but are considered a de facto prerequisite for passing the practical exam with a government expert, which around two thirds of trainees manage to do on the first attempt.

Since 2005, the driver's licence issued upon passing the practical exam is no longer permanent, but valid for three years only. In this time, two days of further training must be completed and no serious infractions of the rules of the road are allowed, or the permanent licence is not acquired.

For motorcycles and heavier vehicles, the regulations are different, and some agrarian vehicles can be driven without a licence. As of 2006, a 45-minute driving lesson costs around 90 CHF, while the various fees and theoretical instruction costs associated with getting a car driver's licence can amount to up to CHF 600, without counting the costs for the two days of further training.

To assist with the integration of foreign residents, some cantons such as Bern have recently stopped allowing the theoretical exam to be taken in any languages other than German, French, Italian and English. This measure is also being discussed at the national level.

Mainland of the People's Republic of China

Minimum age varies from 18 (for cars) all the way up to 26 (for large buses). Learner's licences, although granted, have little effect, as most training takes place within the confines of specially-designed training areas inaccessible, on paper, to the general motoring public. Previously, expressways were inaccessible even for holders of a normal driver's licence if they did not possess the licence for a full year; however, such a regulation has now been invalidated. Drivers with licences less than a year old, however, are still considered "intern drivers" or "new drivers" (in Chinese, 实习司机, shíxí siji), and certain limitations apply to them (for example, they must display a uniform label on the car when they are driving). The PRC considers the driving licence, under a new law, an administrative licence (in Chinese, 行政许可, xíngzhèng xuke).

Taiwan, Republic of China

Driver licenses are categorized pursuant to the Road Traffic Security Rules (Chinese: 道路交通安全規則):

1. An ordinary driver license for a small vehicle (Chinese: 小型車普通駕駛執照) is good for a vehicle with up to 9 seats including the driver and a gross weight up to 3500 kg. A light trailer, i.e. with a gross weight up to 750 kg may be towed. A holder of this license may also drive a light motorcycle, i.e. up to 50 cm³ or 5 horsepowers.
2. An ordinary driver license for a heavy truck (Chinese: 大貨車普通駕駛執照) is good for a heavier truck as well as a vehicle that may be driven with a small vehicle license. A light trailer may be towed.
3. An ordinary driver license for a bus (Chinese: 大客車普通駕駛執照) is good for a bus with more than 9 seats including the driver as well as a vehicle that may be driven with a heavy truck license. A light trailer may be towed.
4. An ordinary driver license for a combination vehicle (Chinese: 聯結車普通駕駛執照) is good to tow a heavy trailer, i.e. with a gross weight of more than 750 kg, as well as a vehicle that may be driven with a bus license.
5. A professional driver license for a small vehicle (Chinese: 小型車職業駕駛執照) is good for occupational purposes to drive a vehicle that may be driven with an ordinary small vehicle license, especially a taxi.
6. A professional driver license for a heavy truck (Chinese: 大貨車職業駕駛執照) is good for occupational purposes to drive a vehicle that may be driven with an ordinary heavy truck license.
7. A professional driver license for a bus (Chinese: 大客車職業駕駛執照) is good for occupational purposes to drive a vehicle that may be driven with an ordinary bus license.
8. A professional driver license for a combination vehicle (Chinese: 聯結車職業駕駛執照) is good for occupational purposes to drive a vehicle that may be driven with an ordinary combination vehicle license.
9. An International Driving Permit (Chinese: 國際駕駛執照) multilingually translates a Taiwanese license and is good abroad where honored. As the Republic of China has lost diplomatic relations with most countries since the 1970s, certain countries do not honor international driving permits from Taiwan.
10. A driver license for a light motorcycle (Chinese: 輕型機器腳踏車駕駛執照) is good for a light motorcycle, i.e. up to 50 cm³ or 5 horsepower, but not any more powerful one considered more risky to drive.
11. A driver license for a heavy motorcycle (Chinese: 重型機器腳踏車駕駛執照) is also good for a heavy motorcycle, but no new license of this type is issued since a separate license for an ultra-heavy motorcycle (see below) is issued.
12. A driver license for an ordinary heavy motorcycle (Chinese: 普通重型機器腳踏車駕駛執照) is good for a motorcycle up to 250 cm³ or 40 horsepower.
13. A driver license for an ultra-heavy motorcycle (Chinese: 大型重型機器腳踏車駕駛執照) is also good for a more powerful motorcycle.

The minimum age pursuant to Article 60 is normally 18, but one must be at least 20 to get a professional license or a license for an ultra-heavy motorcycle. A professional license must be converted to an ordinary one upon 60 years old, but a professional small vehicle driver may keep the license until 65 years old when passing annual physical examinations. Since driving job is not open to foreigners, foreigners cannot get professional driver licenses.

United States

File:Ohiodriversmanual.jpg

Ohio Driver's Manual, 1950

In the United States, the driving age is determined by the state or province, with the most common age being sixteen. Most states and provinces also have restricted driver's licenses (also called learner's permits), which allow a person to drive provided they are accompanied by a licensed driver. There has also been a trend toward "graduated driver's licenses," in which new (especially young) drivers are gradually allowed more driving privileges instead of being given complete driving privileges all at once. Learner's permits are granted by some states to drivers as young as fourteen. Some states also issue farm permits or school permits to certain 14 or 15 year old drivers.

In the U.S. all of the states have standardized their commercial driver's licenses for commercial drivers who cross state lines.

In the U.S., minimum driving ages vary from state to state. Here are some examples:

• Alaska: Small Motorcycle: 14 years; Automobile: 14 years (Learner's Permit) / 16 years (License)
• California: Automobile: 15.5 Years (Learner's Permit upon completion of classroom and behind the wheel classes of driver's education), then a 6 months minimum to obtain license, with 12 months being the maximum on the permit.
• Colorado: 15 years, 3 months (learner's permit)
• Connecticut: 16 years, 6 months (4 months with Driver's Education)
• Delaware: 15 years, 10 months (learner's permit)
• Florida: 15 years (learner's permit), 16 years (license)
• Georgia: 15 years (learner's permit), must have learner's permit for one year and one day before applying for License (16: Provisional Class D License, 18: Full Class C License)
• Hawaii: 15.5 (learner's permit), 16 with parental consent [2]
• Idaho : 15 years (in daylight)
• Indiana: 16 years, 1 month
• Iowa : GDL system: 14 years (learner's permit), 15 years (school permit; must live 1+ miles from school), 16 years (license with restrictions), 17 years (full license)
• Kansas: 14 years, with parent
• Maryland: 15 years, 9 months (learner's permit) 16 years, 3 months (provisional license) 17 years, 9 months (full license)
• Massachusetts: 16 years (learner's permit after passing a written test), 16 years, 6 months, or 6 months after receiving permit (full license).
• Michigan: 14 years, 9 months (with parent), 16 years (graduated learner's permit), 17 years ("full license"). All drivers under 18 must enroll in an educational course to receive a license, or the passing of a written test if a license was obtained elsewhere.
• Minnesota: 15 years (learner's permit), 16 years (license)
• Mississippi: 15 years
• Missouri: 15 years (learner's permit), 16 years (intermediate license; some restrictions), 18 years (full license)
• Montana: 15 years
• Nebraska: GDL system: 13 years (farm permit), 14 years (learner's permit), 15 years (school permit), 16 years (provisional license), 17 (operator's license)
• Nevada : 15 years, 6 months (learner's permit), 16 years old (license)
• New Jersey: 16 years (learner's permit), 17 years (license with some restrictions), 18 years (license)
• New York: 16 (Junior License, graduated from Junior Permit and Junior Limited License) Full License: 6 months after obtaining Junior License, and completing Driver's Ed; New York City: must have Full License and be 18 (17 with Driver's Ed)
• North Dakota: 14 years, 6 months
• Ohio: 15 years, 6 months (learner's permit, must hold permit for 6 mos. and complete 50 hours of road practice and a driver education course if under 18)
• Oklahoma 14 years small motorcycle (daytime only, under 250cc, max speed limit of 35 mph), 15.5 learners permit, 16 intermediate driver's license (daytime only), 18 full license.
• Oregon: 15 years (learner's permit), 16 years old (provisional license with restrictions), 18 years (full license)
• Pennsylvania: 16 years (learner's permit), 16 years 6 months (license with restrictions), 18 years (unrestricted license)
• South Carolina: 15 years
• South Dakota: 14 years, 3 months (with drivers ed) or 6 months (6am-10pm)
• Tennessee: 15 years (with parent)
• Virginia: 15 years, 6 months (learner's permit), 16 years, 3 months (must have held permit for minimum 9 months)
• Washington: 15 years, 6 months (learner's permit), 16 years (full license upon completion of instructional driving course), 18 years (full license if no instructional driving course was taken)
• Wisconsin: 15 years, 6 months (learner's permit), 16 years (license, must have held permit for 6 months if under 18, 10 days if over 18)

Decline in licensing among young people in the U.S.

In the past decade, fewer and fewer teenagers are getting driver's licenses. According to a December 2004 Los Angeles Times article, only 43% of American 16- and 17-year olds had licenses in 2002. By comparison, the percentage in 1982 was 52%. The rate is even lower in some states (e.g., 9% in Missouri). The decrease in percentages are said to be due to the many restrictions that an average teen must face overall in order to obtain the licenses.

Other information and use as identification

Most U.S. states require new drivers to complete both driver's education classes (which include both classroom lectures and textbook lessons) and driver training (behind the wheel lessons with a state-licensed driving instructor) in order to earn a driver's license.

U.S. driver's licenses have a unique number or alphanumeric code issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent), a photograph of the bearer, a copy of his or her signature, the address of his or her primary residence, the type or class of license, restrictions and/or endorsements (if any), the physical characteristics of the bearer (like height, weight, hair color, and sometimes even skin color), and birthdate. Social Security numbers are becoming less common on driver's licenses, due to identity theft concerns. Most states require that when a driver establishes residence in a state, he or she must obtain a license issued by that state within a certain timeframe.

The classes of licenses are usually organized so that Class A is usually the license that indicates a person can drive the heaviest and largest vehicles. The license held by the vast majority of ordinary drivers is Class C, D, or E depending upon how the government sets the weight limits for each class. Motorcycles are usually Class M, although some jurisdictions simply add an endorsement permitting the holder to operate motorcycles as well as the class of vehicle for which he or she is licensed.

Because there is no national identity card in the United States, the driver's license is often used as the de facto equivalent for completion of many common business (and governmental) transactions. As a result, driver's licenses are the focus of many kinds of identity theft. Driver's licenses were not always identification cards. Indeed, in many states, drivers licenses did not even have a photograph well into the 1980s. Activism by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization for the use of photo ID age verification in conjunction with increasing the drinking age to 21 in order to reduce intoxicated drivers lead to photographs being added to all state licenses. New York and Tennessee were the last states to add photos in 1986 (However, New Jersey later allowed older drivers to get non-photo licences; this was later revoked). Later additions varied from state to state, and have included fingerprints, bar codes, magnetic strips, social security numbers and allegedly tamper-proof features, most of which were added under the guise of reducing or preventing identity theft, and to curb the usage of false identification.

Special licenses

In the United States and Canada, persons who drive commercially (especially truckers and taxi drivers) are required to have special licenses. For taxicab drivers, these licenses are usually called Chauffeur Permits. In most cases, commercial truckers must hold a commercial driver's license or CDL. In India, a commercial driving licence is valid for 5 years while an individual licence is valid for 20 years. In the United Kingdom, one must hold a Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) licence to drive a bus carrying more than eight passengers for hire or reward, or a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence to drive a truck (lorry) licensed to carry a weight greater than 3500 kg. Special licences can also be required in order to transport hazardous materials. The cost of taking the series of tests and examinations to obtain these licences usually means that an employer would subsidize their drivers.

In India, people aged more than 50 years have to undergo strict medical test in order to obtain a licence. The licence validity is 5 years and requires renewal every 5 years.

International considerations

The holder of a licence from any EU member country can drive in any other EU country. Most countries worldwide will also recognize the licenses of citizens of foreign states wishing to drive as visitors. All EU member countries now issue licences in a standard format, regardless of the language of the licence.

The International Driving Permit (IDP) (sometimes erroneously called the International Drivers' Licence) is a booklet which is an authorized translation of a driver's home license into many languages (especially languages with different scripts such as Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc.). In some cases, it is obtained from the Automobile Association or equivalent organization in the driver's home country; in other cases, it is delivered by the same government services that deliver ordinary licenses. The IDP has no validity except when used in conjunction with the driver's own license. The existence of the IDP is motivated by many countries not recognizing driver's licenses written in foreign languages and not coming with an authorized translation.

The People's Republic of China at present does not recognize IDPs (although Hong Kong and Macao do) and requires drivers to get an additional PRC license before being officially allowed on all roads.

Most licence issuing authorities require people who hold "foreign" driving licences who move their residence to their area to obtain a local driving licence within a limited time (typically 1 year), although European Union drivers who move from one EU state to another can continue driving on their original licences until age 70. In most cases, the driver will have to follow the full local procedure for obtaining a licence, but some countries have mutual recognition agreements and will exchange the foreign licence for a local one without the need to take an additional driving test, e.g. U.S. states; Great Britain will (as of 2006) exchange full licences issued by Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.

External links

• Free driving test video tutorials. How to obtain your UK driving License.
• UK Community website offering advice about the UK driving test
• "Driving Licences in Europe - From diversity to harmonisation"
• Information from the European Union in driving licences throughout the Community
• Traffic psychology
• Government of Delhi. Driving License FAQ.