Unlocking Your Driving Record: A Comprehensive Guide to DVLA Driving Licence Checks
In the UK, your driving licence isn’t just a piece of plastic; it’s a vital document that confirms your legal entitlement to drive, outlines the vehicle categories you’re permitted to operate, and records any endorsements or disqualifications you might have incurred. But how do you, or indeed others, access this crucial information? The answer lies in the DVLA driving licence check.
Whether you’re an individual wanting to review your own record, an employer needing to verify an employee’s driving eligibility, or a car rental company assessing a customer, understanding the DVLA’s checking mechanisms is paramount. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from generating a check code to interpreting the results.
Who Needs to Perform a DVLA Driving Licence Check?
The need for a DVLA driving licence check extends far beyond simply satisfying curiosity. Various individuals and organisations rely on this service for legal compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency. You might need to perform a check if you are:
- An Individual Driver: To review your own driving record, check for points, verify vehicle categories, or confirm the validity periods of your licence. This is especially useful before obtaining new insurance or if you suspect an error.
- An Employer: To verify that employees who drive company vehicles, or use their own vehicles for business purposes, hold a valid and appropriate licence and have no disqualifications or excessive penalty points. This is a legal and ethical obligation for workplace safety.
- A Car Rental Company: To confirm a customer’s eligibility to rent a specific vehicle type and to assess any endorsements that might affect their insurance policy.
- An Insurance Provider: Although less common for direct checks by providers (they often rely on you declaring information), they may request evidence or use aggregated data to assess risk.
- A Vehicle Leasing Company: Similar to rental companies, to ensure prospective lessees meet the necessary driving criteria.
Understanding the “Share Driving Licence” Service
The primary and most convenient method for DVLA driving licence checks is the “Share Driving Licence” online service. This system allows you, the driver, to generate a unique “check code” that can then be shared with a third party (like an employer or rental company) to grant them temporary, secure access to your driving record. It’s designed to be quick, efficient, and respect your data privacy.
How to Obtain a Check Code (for Drivers)
As a driver, generating a check code is a straightforward process that grants you control over who sees your data.
Here’s what you’ll need:
| Information Required | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Your Driving Licence Number | On your plastic photocard driving licence |
| Your National Insurance Number | On your NI card, payslip, or official letters |
| The Postcode on your Licence | The address associated with your driving licence |
Step-by-step guide to generating your check code:
- Visit the Official DVLA Website: Go to
gov.uk/view-driving-licence. - Select “Start Now”: You’ll be prompted to access the service.
- Enter Your Details: Input your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and the postcode associated with your driving licence.
- Confirm Your Identity: The system will verify your details against its records.
- Access Your Information: Once verified, you’ll see your driving record. From here, select the option to “Get a share code.”
- Generate and Note the Code: A unique, 8-character check code will be displayed. This code, along with your driving licence number, is what the third party will need. Make sure to write it down or ideally, print the page.
Important Note: A check code is valid for 21 days. After this period, you’ll need to generate a new one.
How to Perform a Check (for Employers/Third Parties)
If you are an employer, rental company, or another authorised third party, once you have the driver’s check code and their driving licence number, you can access their record.
Here’s what information you will typically be able to view:
| Information Revealed on a Check | Description |
|---|---|
| Licence Categories | What types of vehicles the driver is legally allowed to drive (e.g., car, motorbike, lorry). |
| Endorsements | Any penalty points, conviction codes (e.g., SP30 for speeding), and their issue/expiry dates. |
| Disqualifications | Details of any driving bans, including start and end dates. |
| Licence Status | Whether the licence is valid, provisional, or revoked. |
| Expiry Dates | When the driver’s current licence or specific entitlements are due to expire. |
Step-by-step guide for performing the check:
- Visit the Official DVLA Website: Go to
gov.uk/check-driving-licence. - Select “Start Now”: You’ll be prompted to access the service.
- Enter Driver’s Details: Input the driver’s driving licence number and the unique check code they provided you.
- View Driving Record: The system will display the driver’s record, allowing you to see their entitlements, endorsements, and other relevant information. You can print or save this record for your files (with appropriate data protection considerations).
Alternative Methods for DVLA Driving Licence Checks
While the online Share Driving Licence service is the preferred method, the DVLA does offer alternative ways to access driving records, particularly for more complex or historical requests, or for those without online access.
| Method | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Quick, current checks for drivers and third parties | Instant results, convenient, secure | Requires internet access, check code expiry (21 days) |
| Phone | Drivers without online access, general enquiries | Direct conversation with DVLA, no internet needed | Longer wait times, less immediate for third-party checks unless specific permissions are in place |
| Post | Historical records, individuals without NI numbers | Tangible record, useful for complex enquiries | Slowest method (can take weeks), requires physical forms |
Checking by Phone:
You can call the DVLA directly if you are the licence holder and wish to check your own record, or if you are an employer with explicit, recorded consent from the driver. The number to call is usually 0300 790 6801 (DVLA Driver and Vehicle Enquiries). You’ll likely need your driving licence number and National Insurance number for verification.
Checking by Post:
For more comprehensive historical checks, or if you don’t have access to a National Insurance number (e.g., some foreign nationals with UK licences), you can make a request by post. This involves filling out specific forms (e.g., D888 for individuals, D888/1 for employers) and sending them to the DVLA. This method is considerably slower, often taking several weeks to process.
The Importance of Regular Checks
For employers, conducting regular DVLA driving licence checks is not just good practice; it’s a critical component of risk management and legal compliance.
- Legal Compliance: The law requires employers to ensure that anyone driving for work purposes is legally entitled to do so. Failing to check can lead to severe penalties, including fines for the company and potentially directors, and even imprisonment in serious cases.
- Insurance Validity: Most insurance policies for vehicles used for business purposes will be invalidated if the driver does not hold a valid licence or has undeclared endorsements. Regular checks help ensure your policies remain valid.
- Road Safety and Duty of Care: As an employer, you have a duty of care towards your employees and the public. Ensuring drivers are appropriately licenced and reducing the risk of them being on the road with excessive points or disqualifications significantly enhances road safety.
- Risk Mitigation: Unchecked licences can lead to accidents, damage to vehicles, increased insurance premiums, and reputational damage for your organisation.
- Avoiding Fines and Penalties: Both the driver and the employer can face significant fines if a driver is found to be driving without a valid licence.
Key Terminology Explained
- Check Code: An 8-character alphanumeric code generated by the driver, valid for 21 days, that allows a third party to view their driving record.
- Driver Number: A 16-character code found on your photocard driving licence. It identifies you as the licence holder.
- National Insurance Number: Your unique personal reference number used in the UK for social security and tax purposes. It’s required to generate a check code.
- Endorsements: Codes (e.g., SP30, TS10) recorded on your licence for driving offences, along with the penalty points and the date they were applied.
- Entitlements: The categories of vehicles you are legally allowed to drive (e.g., B for car, A for motorcycle, C for lorry).
Common Pitfalls and Best Practices
To ensure your DVLA driving licence checks are effective and compliant, keep these points in mind:
- Consent is Crucial: Always obtain clear, documented consent from the driver before checking their licence. For employers, this should be part of their employment contract or a specific driving policy.
- Data Protection: Handle driving licence information with care. It’s personal data, subject to GDPR. Store it securely and only retain it for as long as necessary.
- Check Code Expiry: Remember that check codes expire after 21 days. If a third party takes longer to perform the check, you’ll need to generate a new one.
- Regular Checks: For employers, a one-off check isn’t enough. Implement a policy for regular checks (e.g., annually, or biannually, or if a driver notifies you of an incident).
- Provisional Licences: Be aware that provisional licence holders have different restrictions. Ensure any checks account for this.
- Reporting Changes: Drivers have a legal obligation to inform the DVLA of any changes to their medical condition, address, or name. Employers should also encourage employees to report changes to their driving record immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How often should I check my own driving licence? A1: It’s good practice to check your own licence at least once a year, or perhaps before your insurance renews. If you receive a penalty notice, checking your record shortly after can confirm the points have been correctly applied.
Q2: What if I don’t have a National Insurance Number? A2: If you’re a foreign national with a UK driving licence but no NI number, you won’t be able to use the online “Share Driving Licence” service. You’ll need to use the postal method to request your driving record (form D888).
Q3: Can an employer check my licence without my permission? A3: Absolutely not. It is illegal for anyone to access your driving record without your explicit consent. Employers must obtain written consent from you to perform a check.
Q4: What if the information on my driving record is incorrect? A4: If you find an error, you should contact the DVLA immediately. You can do this by phone or by writing to them, explaining the discrepancy and providing any supporting evidence.
Q5: How long is a DVLA check code valid for? A5: A DVLA check code is valid for 21 days from the moment it is generated. After this period, you will need to create a new one.
Q6: Does this service work for Northern Ireland driving licences? A6: No. Driving licences issued by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland have a separate system. You’ll need to contact the DVA directly for information on checking a Northern Ireland licence.
Conclusion
The DVLA driving licence check service is an indispensable tool for maintaining legal compliance, ensuring road safety, and managing risk. By familiarising yourself with the online “Share Driving Licence” service and understanding the various methods and protocols, you can confidently access and verify driving records, ensuring peace of mind for both drivers and those who rely on their driving qualifications. Stay informed, stay compliant, and drive safely!