Your Driving Licence Share Code: The Essential Guide to Unlocking Your Driving Record
Remember the days of the paper counterpart to your driving licence? That elusive slip of paper that always seemed to disappear just when you needed it most? Well, thankfully, those days are behind us. In an effort to modernise and simplify how your driving record is accessed and shared, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) introduced the driving licence share code.
If you’ve ever rented a car, applied for a job that involves driving, or even just tried to understand your own driving record, you’ve likely stumbled across the term “share code.” But what exactly is it, why do you need it, and how do you get one?
This comprehensive guide will demystify the driving licence share code, providing you with all the information you need to understand, generate, and use it confidently.
What is a Driving Licence Share Code?
At its core, a driving licence share code is a temporary, secure code that allows you to grant others permission to view a digital summary of your driving record online. It acts as a digital key, providing access to information that was once solely available on your paper counterpart.
Introduced on 8 June 2015, the share code became necessary when the DVLA abolished the paper counterpart of the photocard driving licence in Great Britain. The goal was to streamline the sharing of driving information, enhance security, and reduce administrative burden. Instead of carrying a physical piece of paper that could be lost or damaged, you now have a dynamic code that can be generated on demand.
The information accessible via a share code is comprehensive, including your driving entitlements, penalty points, disqualifications, and the validity of your licence. This digital system ensures that the information is always up-to-date and directly from the official DVLA database, reducing the risk of fraudulent documents.
Who Needs Your Driving Licence Share Code?
You might be wondering who would ever need to see your driving record. While your licence is primarily for your use, there are several key situations and entities that routinely require access to this information to verify your eligibility to drive and assess your driving history.
Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios where you’ll be asked for a share code:
| Recipient / Organisation | Purpose of Share Code Request | When It’s Typically Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Car Rental Companies | To verify your driving entitlements (what vehicles you can drive) and check for any endorsements or disqualifications that might affect your ability to rent a vehicle. | When collecting a rental car, or sometimes during the online booking process. |
| Employers (for driving roles) | To conduct background checks on potential or current employees who will be driving company vehicles or driving as part of their job duties (e.g., delivery drivers, taxi drivers, HGV drivers). | During the job application process, pre-employment screening, or periodic checks during employment. |
| Insurance Providers | While less common for initial quotes, some insurers may request it to verify your driving history, entitlements, or specific endorsements, particularly for higher-risk policies or claims. | If there are specific queries about your driving record, or during policy renewal/claims processing. |
| Driving Instructors | Occasionally, an instructor might ask for it to verify your provisional licence details and ensure you meet the legal requirements to take lessons. (Less common for full licence holders). | At the start of your first lesson, particularly for provisional licence holders. |
| Fleet Managers / Lease Companies | To manage vehicle fleets and ensure all drivers are legally compliant and insurable. | For ongoing driver management and compliance within a company’s fleet. |
It’s crucial to only provide your share code to legitimate organisations that have a valid reason to view your driving record. Always be cautious and verify the identity of the requester.
How to Generate Your Driving Licence Share Code
Generating your driving licence share code is a straightforward process performed online via the GOV.UK website. You’ll need a few pieces of information handy to complete the process.
Follow these simple steps:
- Visit the Official GOV.UK Service: Go to the “View or share your driving licence information” page on the GOV.UK website. You can find it by searching for “DVLA share code” or directly navigating to:
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence - Prepare Your Information: Before you start, make sure you have the following details readily available:
- Your driving licence number (from your photocard licence).
- Your National Insurance number.
- The postcode on your driving licence.
- Start the Process: Click on the “Start now” button. You’ll be prompted to enter the three pieces of personal information listed above.
- Access Your Information: Once you’ve entered your details correctly, the system will allow you to “View your licence information.” This page displays your full driving record, including entitlements, penalty points, and disqualifications. This is a good opportunity to review your own record for accuracy.
- Generate the Share Code: On the page displaying your driving information, look for an option that says “Get a code” or “Share your licence information.” Click on this.
- Receive Your Code: A unique, 16-character share code will be generated for you. This code will usually be a combination of letters and numbers (e.g.,
ABCDE12345FGHIJK). - Note Down or Print: Immediately make a note of this code or print the page. You cannot retrieve the same code again once you navigate away, and DVLA does not keep a record of your generated codes.
- Provide to the Requester: Give this code to the person or organisation that requested it. They will then use it on the GOV.UK “Check a driving licence” service to view your information.
Important Note: Each share code is valid for 21 days from the moment it’s generated. After this period, it will expire, and you’ll need to generate a new one if someone needs to view your details again.
What Information Can Be Viewed with Your Share Code?
When you provide a share code, you’re granting temporary access to a specific set of public information from your driving record. It’s comprehensive enough to satisfy most requests from legitimate parties without revealing overly sensitive personal data.
Here’s a clearer look at what can be viewed:
| Information Type | Details Provided |
|---|---|
| Driving Entitlements | This is a list of all vehicle categories you are qualified to drive (e.g., Cat B for cars, Cat A for motorcycles, Cat C for HGVs, etc.), along with the ‘valid from’ date for each category. |
| Endorsements / Penalty Points | Details of any active penalty points or endorsements on your licence. This includes the offence code, the date of the offence, the court date, and the expiry date of the points. Endorsements are often referred to as ‘points’. |
| Disqualifications | Any periods during which you have been disqualified from driving, including the start and end dates of the disqualification period. |
| Licence Validity | Key dates related to your licence, such as the issue date, the expiry date of your photocard licence, and the type of licence you hold (e.g., full, provisional). |
| Restrictions | Any specific conditions or restrictions applicable to your licence (e.g., Code 01 for eyesight correction, Code 71 for exchange licence). |
Crucially, the share code does not give access to your National Insurance number, your home address, or any other personal identity information beyond what’s directly relevant to your driving record. It maintains privacy while allowing necessary checks.
Key Benefits of the Share Code System
The introduction of the driving licence share code brought several significant advantages over the old paper counterpart system:
- Enhanced Security: The share code system reduces the risk of fraud. Unlike a physical document that could be altered or forged, the share code provides real-time access to the official DVLA database, ensuring the information is always accurate and tamper-proof.
- Greater Convenience: You no longer need to keep track of a paper document. The share code can be generated quickly and easily online from anywhere with internet access, eliminating the hassle of carrying or finding your paper counterpart.
- Always Up-to-Date: The information accessed via the share code is live from the DVLA database. This means any new endorsements, points, or disqualifications are immediately reflected, providing the most current view of your driving record.
- Environmental Friendliness: By moving away from paper documents, the share code system contributes to a reduction in paper usage, aligning with modern environmental initiatives.
- Streamlined Processes: For organisations that routinely check driving licences, the share code simplifies their verification process, making it quicker and more efficient to onboard new drivers or process rental agreements.
Important Considerations and Tips
While the share code is a valuable tool, keeping a few key points in mind will help you use it effectively and safely:
- Validity Period: Remember, the share code is only valid for 21 days. If a requester needs to view your licence details again after this period, you’ll need to generate a new code.
- Generate Just-in-Time: It’s best practice to generate your share code close to the time you need to provide it. This ensures it’s fresh and less likely to expire before it’s used.
- Security First: Only share your code with trusted and legitimate organisations that have a genuine need to view your driving record. Be wary of unsolicited requests for your share code.
- Accessibility Issues: If you don’t have internet access or struggle to use online services, you can call the DVLA directly (0300 790 6801) to request a code or ask them to email or post a summary of your driving licence information to the requester.
- International Driving: If you’re driving abroad, especially outside the EU, you might still need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your UK photocard licence. The share code is generally for UK-based checks.
- What if I Can’t Generate It? If you encounter issues (e.g., your National Insurance number or postcode isn’t matching), double-check your details. If problems persist, contact the DVLA helpline for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the driving licence share code:
Q1: How long is a driving licence share code valid for? A1: Each share code is valid for 21 days from the time it is generated. After 21 days, it will expire, and you will need to generate a new one if someone needs to view your licence information again.
Q2: Can I get a share code if I don’t have a National Insurance number? A2: No, a National Insurance number is one of the mandatory pieces of information required to generate a share code online. If you don’t have one or can’t access it, you’ll need to contact the DVLA directly by phone (0300 790 6801) to discuss alternative ways to share your driving record.
Q3: What if I have an old paper driving licence, not a photocard? A3: If you have a Great Britain paper driving licence (issued before 1990) and it doesn’t have a photocard, you cannot use the online share code service directly. You will need to contact DVLA by phone (0300 790 6801) or post to share your information. They can provide a Print-Out of your driving record.
Q4: Do I need a share code when getting an insurance quote? A4: Generally, no. Most insurance companies will ask for your driving licence number, and your consent for them to check your record directly. They often have their own direct access to DVLA data for verification purposes. However, in some specific cases or for particular types of policies, they might request a share code if their standard checks prove insufficient or require further detail.
Q5: What should I do if I suspect my share code has been misused or shared fraudulently? A5: While the share code only provides access to specific public driving information and not your personal identity details, if you have concerns about misuse, you should contact the DVLA immediately. They can advise on what steps to take. It’s also wise to change your online passwords for any related accounts and monitor your financial statements for unusual activity, though the share code itself doesn’t directly facilitate financial fraud.
Q6: Can I revoke a share code once I’ve generated it? A6: You cannot ‘revoke’ a specific share code once it has been generated and given out. However, since each code expires after 21 days, its validity is inherently limited. If you have serious concerns about a code you’ve given, contacting the DVLA might be an option, but generally, the 21-day expiry provides a natural safeguard.
Conclusion
The driving licence share code is a deceptively simple yet powerful tool that puts control over your driving record firmly in your hands. It’s an indispensable part of modern driving life in the UK, simplifying processes for both drivers and the organisations that need to verify their credentials.
By understanding what the share code is, why it’s needed, and how to generate it safely, you can navigate situations like car rentals and job applications with confidence and ease. Remember to always generate your code just before you need it, and only share it with trusted parties. Stay informed, stay secure, and keep on driving!