EU Driving Licence OCR API

Automate European identity verification and cross-border fleet onboarding. Instantly parse standardized numbered fields (like Field 1, 4a, and 9) from any EU driving licence. Upload an image below to test the extraction accuracy for free.

200 free credits = 100 Driver License scans, no credit card. Then from $5 for 500 credits, pay as you go. See pricing

Diagram demonstrating the OCR API scanning an EU driving licence, mapping numbered fields such as Field 1 and 4a directly into a structured JSON payload.

Decoding the EU Numbered Field System

The European Union driving licence utilizes a standardized numbered field system to overcome the language barriers across member states. Instead of relying on translated labels like 'Name' or 'Date of Issue', critical data is mapped to numbers: Field 1 (Surname), Field 4a (Date of Issue), Field 5 (Licence Number), and Field 9 (Vehicle Categories). However, standard text-recognition tools often struggle to correctly associate these tiny reference numbers with the adjacent text, or they fail to handle complex multi-national character sets and missing fields (such as Field 8 for addresses). To see how our models perfectly map these visual cues, explore our core driver license OCR capabilities.

Edge-Routed Precision & SDK-Free Integration

Our API is purpose-built for the EU market, understanding the exact topography of the standardized European driving licence. Delivered as a pure REST API, you do not need to embed heavy SDKs into your cross-platform applications. Furthermore, our core infrastructure runs natively on Cloudflare's global edge network, guaranteeing low-latency request routing across Europe while keeping data processing highly secure. Simply send a direct file upload or a Base64-encoded string, and our engine will instantly return a mapped JSON response.

Live Demo: Driver License OCR Scanner

No registration required. Upload a file to test the extraction.

1
Upload
2
Results
↑

Drop files here or click to browse

JPG · PNG · PDF · TIFF  ·  up to 500 files · max 4.5 MB each

No document handy?

No files selected
Need more testing? Create a free account to get 200 free credits (equals 100 Driver License scans).

Core Applications in the European Market

Pan-European Mobility & Car Rental

Seamlessly onboard drivers from any EU member state. Automatically verify their identity and authorized vehicle classes (Field 9) instantly. Discover more about our mobility driver verification solutions.

Cross-Border Logistics & Trucking

Ensure your heavy-duty fleet drivers possess the correct commercial classifications (e.g., C, CE, D) by scanning their licences before dispatch. Reduce manual compliance checks at border crossings and weigh stations.

Digital KYC & Fintech Onboarding

Accelerate user acquisition for European neobanks and trading platforms. Capture structured identity data reliably; images are deleted within 24 hours. Explore our pricing plans for scalable KYC workflows.

Technical Specs

  • Strict EU Field Mapping: Explicit logic linking EU designators (1 for Surname, 2 for Given Names, 5 for Licence Number) directly to standard JSON keys.
  • Field 3 Parsing: Intelligently separates the combined Date of Birth and Place of Birth often found clustered in Field 3.
  • Edge Performance: API traffic is routed via Cloudflare, ensuring maximum uptime and GDPR-compliant processing within European boundaries.
  • Flexible Data Inputs: Natively processes direct file uploads, Base64 strings, or URLs without requiring bulky client-side SDKs.

Key Features

  • Date Normalization: Translates the European `DD.MM.YYYY` date format into strict ISO-compliant `YYYY-MM-DD` strings for seamless database insertion.
  • Conditional Field 8 Handling: Accurately detects and maps the residential address (Field 8), returning `null` safely if the issuing member state omits it.
  • Multi-Language Character Support: Fully supports diacritics and special characters across all EU member state languages.

Integration & AI Prompts

Send document images directly via Base64 or multipart file uploads. Our API automatically sanitizes incoming Base64 strings (stripping illegal whitespace) to prevent request failures. For complete payload specifications, consult our developer documentation.

import requests
import base64

# 1. Prepare Base64 Image of the EU Driving Licence
with open("eu_licence_sample.jpg", "rb") as image_file:
    base64_image = base64.b64encode(image_file.read()).decode('utf-8')

url = "https://api.structocr.com/v1/driver-license"
headers = {
    "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}

# Direct Base64 injection
payload = {
    "img": base64_image 
}

response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
result = response.json()

if result.get('success'):
    data = result['data']
    print(f"✅ Licence Number (Field 5): {data['document_number']}")
    print(f"✅ Vehicle Class (Field 9): {data['vehicle_class']}")
    print(f"✅ Issue Date (Field 4a): {data['date_of_issue']}")

Standardized JSON Output

Review how the API processes a standardized EU format, mapping the numbered fields into clear, descriptive JSON keys while normalizing dates to ISO 8601 formats.

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "type": "drivers_license",
    "country_code": "DEU",
    "region": null,
    "document_number": "B012345678",
    "personal_number": null,
    "surname": "MÜLLER",
    "given_names": "LUKAS",
    "sex": null,
    "date_of_birth": "1990-05-15",
    "place_of_birth": "BERLIN",
    "date_of_issue": "2018-10-20",
    "date_of_expiry": "2033-10-19",
    "date_of_first_issue": null,
    "issuing_authority": "STADT BERLIN",
    "address": null,
    "vehicle_class": "AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1",
    "extra_details": {}
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I test the EU driving licence scanner for free?

Yes! We provide a free image upload testing widget at the top of this page. Upload a photo of any EU member state driving licence to instantly evaluate the extraction accuracy.

Does the API require a specific SDK to work?

No, StructOCR operates purely as a REST API. You simply pass an image file or a Base64 string directly to our endpoint, eliminating the need to install and maintain heavy SDKs in your mobile or web applications.

How does the API handle the combined 'Field 3' in European licences?

Field 3 typically contains both the Date of Birth and Place of Birth. Our parsing logic separates these data points, mapping the date accurately to `date_of_birth` (in YYYY-MM-DD format) and the location string to `place_of_birth`.

Explore More Driver License OCR Solutions

SOLUTION

Malaysian Lesen Memandu OCR API

Extract the IC number, identity fields, and vehicle classes from Malaysian driving licenses (Lesen Memandu). Test our edge-routed API with a free image upload.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

Philippine LTO Driver License OCR API

Accurately extract data from Philippine LTO driver's licenses. Parse restriction codes, conditions, and identity fields via our edge-routed API. Test for free.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

Indonesian SIM OCR API

Extract NIK, identity, and category data from Indonesian driver's licenses (Surat Izin Mengemudi). Test our low-latency, edge-routed API with a free image upload.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

UK Driving Licence OCR API

Extract name, licence number (field 5), address (field 8), dates and categories from UK DVLA driving licences as JSON. Free upload test and 100 free API scans.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

US Driver License Scanner API & SDK

Scan US driver's licenses from all 50 states with a REST API or our Python and Node SDKs. Extract name, DOB, address and the Document Discriminator (DD). 100 free scans.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

Brazilian CNH OCR API

Extract CPF, RG, and identity fields from Brazilian Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH) instantly. High-accuracy OCR API deployed on edge networks for fast LatAm eKYC.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

CPF Extraction from Driver License API

Accurately extract the CPF (Tax ID) and RG from Brazilian driver licenses (CNH). Try our free image upload tool and integrate our fast, edge-routed OCR API.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

Document Discriminator (DD) Extraction API

Instantly extract the Document Discriminator (DD) and audit numbers from US driver's licenses. Test our edge-routed OCR API for free using image uploads.

Driver License OCR
SOLUTION

Colombia Driving Licence (Licencia de Conducción) OCR API

Extract the licence number, the holder's names and surnames, date of birth, issue date and the categories printed on the card from the Colombian licencia de conducción as JSON with one API call. Try it free in the browser; new accounts get 100 free licence scans.

Driver License OCR

Technical Comparisons & Integrations

Explore platform integrations and competitive analysis

Integration

Add Driver's License OCR to Your Bolt.new App in 5 Minutes

Step-by-step guide to integrating the StructOCR Driver's License scanner API into a Bolt.new app. Build car rental and mobility onboarding flows right in your browser.

Driver License
Integration

Add Driver's License OCR using Cursor in 5 Minutes

Step-by-step guide to integrating the StructOCR Driver's License scanner API using the Cursor AI code editor. Build car rental and mobility onboarding flows rapidly.

Driver License
Integration

Add Driver's License OCR to Your Lovable.dev App in 5 Minutes

Step-by-step guide to integrating the StructOCR Driver's License scanner API into a Lovable.dev app. Build car rental and mobility onboarding flows with zero backend.

Driver License
Integration

Add Driver's License OCR to Your Replit App in 5 Minutes

Step-by-step guide to integrating the StructOCR Driver's License scanner API into a Replit application. Build car rental and mobility onboarding flows using Replit Agent and Secrets.

Driver License
Integration

Add Driver's License OCR to Your v0 App in 5 Minutes

Step-by-step guide to integrating the StructOCR Driver's License scanner API into a v0 by Vercel app. Build car rental and mobility onboarding flows with zero backend.

Driver License
Comparison

VIN Barcode Scanner vs. VIN OCR API: Which is Better for Mobile Apps?

Deciding between local VIN barcode scanners and cloud-based VIN OCR API for your mobile app? Learn why OCR is the required fallback for damaged or chassis-stamped VINs.

Comparison

From tutorial to production in 5 minutes.

You've seen the code. Now get your API key, grab your 200 free credits, and see it work with your own images. No credit card required.

Instant Access Cancel Anytime No Credit Card