If you are searching for “driving licence check UK”, you may want to find out how to check your driving record, confirm your vehicle entitlements, see penalty points or disqualifications, or share your licence information with an employer or car hire company.
For driving licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides an online service that allows drivers to view their driving information and generate a licence check code.
This comprehensive guide explains how a driving licence check UK works, what information you need, what you can check online, how DVLA check codes work and why keeping your driving record accurate is important.
Important: This article is for informational purposes. For an official driving licence check, use the relevant GOV.UK DVLA service.
For more information about UK driving licences, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
What Is a Driving Licence Check UK?
A driving licence check UK is the process of checking information held on a driver’s official record.
The DVLA online service allows eligible drivers to:
- View their driving record
- See which vehicles they can drive
- Check penalty points
- Check disqualifications
- Generate a licence check code
- Share driving record information with an employer
- Share driving information with a car hire company
The online service is available for licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales.
If you are looking for more information about the DVLA and UK driving licences, visit our DVLA driving licence guide.
How to Do a Driving Licence Check UK Online
Checking your own driving record online is relatively straightforward.
Before starting, you will normally need:
- Your driving licence number
- Your National Insurance number
- The postcode recorded on your driving licence
These details are required by the official DVLA online service.
Step-by-Step Driving Licence Check
Follow these general steps:
1. Visit the official DVLA service
Go to the GOV.UK service for viewing or sharing driving licence information.
2. Enter your driving licence number
Enter the number exactly as it appears on your licence.
3. Enter your National Insurance number
This is used as part of the identity verification process.
4. Enter your licence postcode
Use the postcode currently associated with your driving licence.
5. View your driving record
After submitting the required information, you can access the available information on your driving record.
6. Check your driving information
Review your vehicle categories, penalty points, disqualifications and other available information.
7. Generate a check code if required
If an employer or car hire company needs to verify your driving information, you can create a temporary licence check code.
For related information, read our DVLA licence check guide.
What Can You Check During a Driving Licence Check UK?
A driving licence check UK can provide access to several important areas of your driving record.
Driving Entitlements
You can check which vehicles you are entitled to drive.
This is useful if you:
- Have recently passed a driving test
- Added another licence category
- Are hiring a van
- Are starting a driving job
- Are unsure about your current entitlements
- Have held your licence for many years
Your physical photocard does not always provide all the detail you may need about your current driving record, so checking your electronic record can be useful.
Penalty Points
Your driving record can contain information about penalty points and endorsements.
If you have recently received a motoring penalty, you may want to carry out a driving licence check UK to confirm the information recorded on your driving record.
This can be particularly useful when:
- Applying for a driving job
- Hiring a vehicle
- Checking your current driving status
- Reviewing a previous motoring offence
The DVLA service allows eligible drivers to check penalty points and disqualifications.
Driving Disqualifications
A driving licence check can also help you establish whether a disqualification appears on your driving record.
A disqualification can affect your legal entitlement to drive, so it is important to understand your current status.
If you have previously been disqualified, do not assume that simply having a physical photocard means that you can legally drive. Check your official driving record and follow any requirements that apply to your circumstances.
Why Perform a Driving Licence Check UK?
There are many reasons why motorists search for driving licence check UK information.
1. To Confirm Your Driving Entitlement
You may want to check that you have the correct entitlement before driving a particular vehicle.
2. To Check Penalty Points
You can review penalty points and relevant endorsements recorded on your driving record.
3. To Check Disqualifications
If you have previously received a driving ban, checking your record can help you understand your current position.
4. To Prepare for Car Hire
A rental company may ask you to provide a DVLA check code.
5. To Prepare for Employment
An employer may need to verify your driving entitlement before allowing you to drive company vehicles.
6. To Check Your Licence Information
Regularly reviewing your record can help you identify information that may need correcting.
For more useful information, visit our UK driving licence resources.
Driving Licence Check UK for Car Hire
A driving licence check UK is often required when hiring a car.
Some car hire companies may ask you to provide a DVLA check code so that they can verify your driving information.
The information they may need to verify can include:
- Driving entitlement
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Other relevant driving record information
GOV.UK specifically identifies car hire companies as an example of an organisation that may need to access a driver’s information.
Before You Hire a Vehicle
Before collecting your rental car:
- Check your driving record.
- Confirm that your information is correct.
- Generate a DVLA check code if requested.
- Give the check code to the rental company.
- Take your physical driving licence and any other documents the company requires.
Requirements vary between rental companies, so check with the company before travelling.
Driving Licence Check UK for Employers
Employers may need to check an employee’s driving entitlement when driving forms part of their job.
This can apply to:
- Delivery drivers
- Courier drivers
- Van drivers
- HGV drivers
- Bus drivers
- Coach drivers
- Taxi drivers
- Fleet drivers
- Company car drivers
A driver can generate a DVLA check code and provide it to an employer, allowing the employer to check relevant driving information.
Companies can also use the official D888/1 process to request information about a driver’s entitlement. GOV.UK says companies should use form D888/1 to check a driver’s entitlement to drive.
What Is a DVLA Driving Licence Check Code?
A DVLA check code is a temporary code that allows you to share relevant information from your driving record with another person or organisation.
For example, you might generate a check code when:
- Starting a new driving job
- Hiring a vehicle
- Providing information to an employer
- Allowing a company to verify your driving entitlement
The official service states that a check code is valid for 21 days.
The code can only be used once. If another check is required after it has been used, a new code must be generated.
How to Generate a DVLA Check Code
If someone needs to verify your driving record, you can generate a check code through the official DVLA service.
The general process is:
- Access your driving record.
- Choose the option to share your driving licence information.
- Create a check code.
- Give the code to the person or organisation requesting the check.
- Provide the required licence information.
The recipient can then use the appropriate GOV.UK service to check your driving information.
How Long Is a DVLA Check Code Valid?
A DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once.
If the code has expired or has already been used, you will need to generate another code.
Can Someone Else Check My Driving Licence?
Yes, but there are privacy requirements.
Someone checking another driver’s information needs:
- Permission from the driver
- A valid check code
- The last eight characters of the driver’s driving licence number
The official GOV.UK service states that obtaining another person’s personal information without permission is a criminal offence.
This system allows employers and other legitimate organisations to verify driving records without providing unrestricted access to a driver’s personal information.
Driving Licence Check UK and Penalty Points
Penalty points can have important consequences for motorists.
If you have recently received penalty points, a driving licence check UK can help you confirm what is recorded on your driving record.
You may want to check your record after:
- Receiving a fixed penalty
- Being convicted of a motoring offence
- Receiving an endorsement
- Applying for a driving job
- Hiring a vehicle
The DVLA online service allows eligible drivers to check penalty points and disqualifications.
New Drivers and Penalty Points
New drivers should be particularly careful about penalty points.
Under the New Drivers Act, a driving licence can be revoked if a driver receives six or more penalty points within two years of passing their first driving test.
Checking your driving record can therefore be particularly useful during the first two years after passing your test.
Driving Licence Check UK and Vehicle Categories
Your UK driving licence gives you entitlement to drive specific categories of vehicles.
If you are unsure whether you can drive a particular vehicle, checking your driving record can help.
For example, you may want to check your entitlement before:
- Buying a van
- Hiring a larger vehicle
- Driving a motorcycle
- Starting a professional driving position
- Driving a company vehicle
Never assume that holding a full car licence automatically gives you permission to drive every type of vehicle.
Understanding UK Driving Licence Codes
A driving licence check UK can also help you understand restrictions or conditions attached to your driving entitlement.
Codes on the back of a UK driving licence indicate conditions that must be met when driving. For example, code 01 relates to eyesight correction, such as glasses or contact lenses.
Other codes can relate to vehicle adaptations and specific driving conditions.
If you do not understand a code on your licence, consult the relevant official guidance rather than making assumptions.
For more information about UK driving licences, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Can I Check My Driving Licence Without a DVLA Account?
Yes.
You do not necessarily need a Driver and Vehicles account to view or share your driving licence information.
The dedicated DVLA service requires your:
- Driving licence number
- National Insurance number
- Licence postcode
A Driver and Vehicles account provides access to additional services, but GOV.UK confirms that viewing or sharing driving licence information can be done without creating an account.
What Is a DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account?
The Driver and Vehicles account provides access to a range of DVLA services.
Depending on your circumstances, you can use the account to:
- View your driving record
- Check penalty points
- Check disqualifications
- Renew your photocard licence
- Replace a lost or stolen licence
- Change the address on your licence
- View a photo of your driving licence
- Create a licence check code
- Access certain vehicle information
- View CPC and tachograph information where applicable
GOV.UK says the account can be used by people with a driving licence issued in England, Scotland or Wales or a V5C vehicle log book in their name.
Driving Licence Check UK After Moving House
If you move to a new address, it is important to update your driving licence information.
After making the change, you can perform a driving licence check UK to confirm that your record contains the correct information.
Keeping your details up to date is important because DVLA correspondence may be sent to the address recorded on your driving licence.
For related information, read our UK driving licence guide.
Driving Licence Check UK After Losing Your Licence
Losing your physical driving licence does not mean that your electronic driving record disappears.
If your licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement through the appropriate DVLA service.
You can also access your available driving information online.
For more information, see our lost or stolen driving licence guide.
What If Your Driving Licence Information Is Wrong?
After completing a driving licence check UK, you may discover that some information appears to be incorrect.
Potential problems could include:
- Incorrect personal information
- Incorrect vehicle entitlement
- Penalty points you do not recognise
- An unexpected disqualification
- An incorrect endorsement
Do not ignore information that appears to be wrong.
The correct procedure depends on the type of error. For example, GOV.UK guidance on endorsement details advises drivers to contact the court that convicted them if their endorsement information is incorrect.
For other issues, you may need to contact DVLA or follow the relevant official process.
Driving Licence Check UK: Great Britain vs Northern Ireland
When searching for driving licence check UK, it is important to understand that the licensing systems are not identical across the entire UK.
The DVLA online service discussed in this guide applies to licences issued in:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
Northern Ireland operates a separate driving licence system.
Therefore, make sure you use the correct licensing authority and online service for the licence you hold.
Is a Driving Licence Check UK Free?
Viewing or sharing your own driving licence information through the standard online DVLA service is available online without a separate charge.
However, other methods of requesting driving information can involve fees. For example, companies can use the D888/1 process where appropriate.
For most motorists who simply want to view their own record or create a check code, the online service is the most convenient option.
Why Should You Regularly Check Your Driving Record?
Your physical driving licence does not necessarily tell you everything about your current electronic driving record.
A regular driving licence check UK can help you:
- Confirm your driving entitlement
- Check penalty points
- Review disqualifications
- Prepare for car hire
- Prepare for driving employment
- Check licence categories
- Identify potential errors
- Understand restrictions on your licence
This can be especially useful if you drive for work or frequently hire vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Licence Check UK
How do I check my driving licence in the UK?
If your licence was issued in England, Scotland or Wales, you can use the official GOV.UK service to view your driving record. You will normally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode.
What can I see when I check my driving licence?
You can view information such as the vehicles you can drive, penalty points and disqualifications.
Can I check someone else’s driving licence?
Yes, with their permission. You need their check code and the last eight characters of their driving licence number.
How long does a DVLA check code last?
A DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once.
Can an employer check my driving licence?
Yes. An employer can ask you to provide a check code so that relevant information from your driving record can be verified. Companies can also use the appropriate DVLA process for requesting driver entitlement information.
Can a car hire company check my licence?
Yes. A car hire company may ask you to provide a DVLA check code before hiring a vehicle. Requirements vary by company, so check with the rental company before travelling.
Can I check my penalty points online?
Yes. The official DVLA service allows eligible drivers to check penalty points and disqualifications.
Do I need a DVLA account to check my driving licence?
No. GOV.UK provides a separate service for viewing or sharing driving licence information without requiring you to create a Driver and Vehicles account.
Does a DVLA driving licence check work for Northern Ireland?
The DVLA service covered in this guide applies to licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate licensing system.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to perform a driving licence check UK is an important part of managing your driving record.
Whether you want to check your vehicle entitlements, review penalty points, confirm a disqualification, prepare for car hire or provide information to an employer, the official DVLA online service provides a convenient way to access and share relevant driving information.
For your own record, you will normally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode. If someone else needs to verify your driving record, you can generate a temporary check code and provide the required licence information.
Remember that a DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once, helping to limit access to your driving information.
For more useful information about UK driving licences, DVLA licence checks, driving records, licence replacement and licence applications, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.