If you are searching for “check driving record”, you may want to find out what information is currently held on your UK driving licence. Whether you need to check your vehicle entitlements, penalty points, disqualifications or driving status, the DVLA provides an online service that makes accessing your record straightforward.
For driving licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales, the official GOV.UK service allows eligible drivers to check driving record information online and create a licence check code to share their record with an employer, car hire company or another authorised organisation.
This guide explains how to check driving record online, what information you need, what you can see, how DVLA check codes work and what to do if something on your record appears to be incorrect.
Important: This article is an informational guide. For an official driving record check, use the appropriate GOV.UK DVLA service.
For more information about UK driving licences, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
What Is a Driving Record?
Your driving record contains information about your driving entitlement and other relevant details maintained by the licensing authority.
When you check driving record information through the official DVLA service, you can see information such as:
- The vehicles you are entitled to drive
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Relevant licence information
- Information that can be shared with another person or organisation
The GOV.UK service also allows you to create a temporary licence check code when you need to share your driving record.
Your driving record is particularly important because your physical photocard does not necessarily display all the information associated with your current driving status.
How to Check Driving Record Online
If you want to check driving record information for your own licence, you can use the official GOV.UK online service.
You will normally need:
- Your driving licence number
- Your National Insurance number
- The postcode shown on your driving licence
These details are required to access your driving information through the online service.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to check your driving record:
Step 1: Access the official service
Go to the GOV.UK service for viewing or sharing driving licence information.
Step 2: Enter your driving licence number
Enter your licence number carefully.
Step 3: Enter your National Insurance number
Provide your National Insurance number when requested.
Step 4: Enter your postcode
Use the postcode currently recorded on your driving licence.
Step 5: Access your record
Submit your information to access your driving record.
Step 6: Review your information
Check your driving entitlements, penalty points, disqualifications and other available information.
Step 7: Create a check code if necessary
If an employer or car hire company needs to verify your record, you can generate a licence check code to share your driving information.
For another useful guide, see our DVLA licence check information.
What Can You See When You Check Your Driving Record?
One of the main advantages of being able to check driving record information online is that you can review important details about your current driving status.
1. Vehicle Entitlements
Your driving record can show the categories of vehicles you are entitled to drive.
This can be useful if you are:
- Buying a different vehicle
- Hiring a van
- Driving a company vehicle
- Applying for a driving job
- Starting professional driving work
- Unsure about an older licence entitlement
Always confirm that your licence gives you the appropriate entitlement before driving a vehicle.
2. Penalty Points
Your driving record can also show relevant penalty points and endorsements.
If you have recently received a motoring penalty or been convicted of a driving offence, you may want to check driving record information to see what has been recorded.
GOV.UK states that drivers can view their driving licence record to see their penalty points and when they are due to be removed.
This can be particularly useful if you need to provide an accurate driving history to an employer or vehicle rental company.
3. Disqualifications
Your record can also contain information about driving disqualifications.
If you have been banned from driving, checking your record can help you establish your current status.
A disqualification can affect your legal entitlement to drive, so you should not assume that having a physical driving licence means you can drive.
GOV.UK explains that drivers who are disqualified for less than 56 days can check the disqualification on their online driving record and cannot drive until it has ended.
Why Should You Check Your Driving Record?
There are many reasons why someone might search for check driving record online.
Confirm Your Driving Entitlement
You may want to confirm which vehicle categories you can legally drive.
Check Penalty Points
Checking your record can help you keep track of endorsements and penalty points.
Check a Disqualification
If you have been banned from driving, your online record can provide relevant information about the disqualification.
Prepare for Car Hire
A rental company may ask you to provide a DVLA check code before hiring a vehicle.
Prepare for Employment
An employer may need to verify your driving entitlement if driving forms part of your job.
Check Your Driving Information
Regularly reviewing your record can help you identify information that may need attention.
For more information, visit our UK driving licence guide.
Check Driving Record for Car Hire
If you are planning to rent a car in the UK or elsewhere, the company may ask you to provide information from your driving record.
Some car hire companies use the DVLA check-code system to verify a driver’s:
- Vehicle entitlements
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Relevant driving information
GOV.UK advises that vehicle hire companies may ask customers for a check code or a printout of their licence information. Requirements vary between companies and locations.
What Should You Do Before Hiring a Vehicle?
Before collecting your rental car:
- Check your driving record.
- Confirm that your driving information is accurate.
- Generate a DVLA check code if the rental company requests one.
- Give the code to the company.
- Take your physical driving licence and any other required documents.
It is a good idea to contact the rental company before travelling because individual companies can have different requirements.
Check Driving Record for Employment
If you are applying for a job that involves driving, your prospective employer may want to verify your driving record.
This can apply to:
- Delivery drivers
- Courier drivers
- Van drivers
- HGV drivers
- Bus drivers
- Coach drivers
- Taxi drivers
- Fleet drivers
- Company car drivers
You may be asked to generate a DVLA check code and give it to your employer.
Companies can also use the official D888/1 process to request driver entitlement information. GOV.UK states that companies should use form D888/1 to check a driver’s entitlement to drive.
What Is a DVLA 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.
You might need one when:
- Applying for a driving job
- Starting employment
- Hiring a car
- Providing information to an employer
- Allowing an organisation to verify your driving entitlement
The official GOV.UK service states that a check code is valid for 21 days.
The code can only be used once. After it has been used, another check requires a new code.
How to Generate a DVLA Check Code
If someone needs to verify your driving record, you can create a check code through the official DVLA service.
The process generally involves:
- Accessing your driving record.
- Selecting the option to share your driving licence information.
- Creating a check code.
- Giving the code to the organisation requesting the check.
- Providing the required licence information.
The check code gives the recipient temporary access to relevant driving information without giving them unrestricted access to your personal account.
How Long Does a DVLA Check Code Last?
A DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once.
If it has expired or already been used, you will need to generate another code.
How to Check Someone Else’s Driving Record
The phrase check driving record can also refer to checking another person’s driving information.
You cannot simply access someone else’s private driving record without their permission.
To check another driver’s record online, you need:
- Their permission
- A valid DVLA check code
- The last eight characters of their driving licence number
The official GOV.UK service states that obtaining another person’s personal information without their permission is a criminal offence.
This system is useful for employers, car hire companies and other legitimate organisations that need to verify a driver’s entitlement.
Check Driving Record and Penalty Points
Penalty points are an important part of your driving history.
If you have recently received points, you may want to check driving record information to confirm what has been added to your licence.
You might 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
- Being concerned about your current driving status
GOV.UK states that endorsements and penalty points are recorded on your driver record and can remain there for four or 11 years, depending on the offence.
How Many Penalty Points Can Lead to a Driving Ban?
The consequences of penalty points depend on your circumstances and the applicable rules.
For many drivers, accumulating 12 or more penalty points within three years can result in disqualification. There are separate rules for new drivers.
This is one reason why it is useful to check driving record information periodically, particularly if you have recently received penalty points.
Check Driving Record for New Drivers
New drivers should pay particular attention to their driving record.
Under the New Drivers Act, a 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 help new motorists understand what has been recorded against their licence.
If you have recently passed your driving test, you can also explore our UK driving licence information for additional guidance.
Check Driving Record and Vehicle Categories
A UK driving licence does not automatically give you entitlement to drive every type of vehicle.
Different categories correspond to different types of vehicles and driving entitlements.
Checking your record can be useful if you are unsure whether you can drive:
- Cars
- Motorcycles
- Vans
- Larger vehicles
- Passenger-carrying vehicles
- Other specialist vehicle categories
If you are starting a professional driving job, your employer may also need to verify your exact entitlements.
Understanding Driving Licence Restrictions
When you check driving record information, you may see restrictions or codes associated with your licence.
Driving licence codes can indicate conditions that must be met when driving.
For example, some codes relate to eyesight correction, while others relate to vehicle adaptations or other conditions.
Understanding these restrictions is important because failing to comply with a relevant licence condition can have legal and insurance consequences.
Can You Check Your Driving Record Without a DVLA Account?
Yes.
You do not necessarily need a Driver and Vehicles account simply to view or share your driving licence information.
The dedicated online service requires your:
- Driving licence number
- National Insurance number
- Postcode on your driving licence
However, the Driver and Vehicles account provides additional functionality.
GOV.UK specifically lists viewing or sharing driving licence information as a service that can be used without creating an account.
What Is the DVLA Driver and Vehicles Account?
The Driver and Vehicles account provides access to multiple DVLA services from one place.
Depending on your circumstances, you can use the account to:
- Check your driving record
- Check penalty points
- Check disqualifications
- Renew your photocard licence
- Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed licence
- Change your address
- View a photo of your driving licence
- Create a licence check code
- Manage certain vehicle information
- View CPC and tachograph information where applicable
GOV.UK says the account is available to people with a driving licence issued in England, Scotland or Wales or a V5C vehicle log book in their name.
Check Driving Record After Moving House
If you have moved house, you should make sure that your driving licence information is updated.
After changing your address through the appropriate DVLA service, checking your driving record can help you confirm that the information held is correct.
Keeping your address current is important because official correspondence may be sent to the address held by DVLA.
For more information about managing your licence, visit our UK DVLA driving licence resource.
Check Driving Record After Losing Your Licence
Losing your physical driving licence does not mean that your electronic driving record disappears.
If your photocard is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement through the appropriate DVLA service.
You can still access relevant driving information online where the service is available.
If you need information about replacing a missing licence, read our lost or stolen driving licence guide.
What If Your Driving Record Is Incorrect?
After you check driving record information, you might discover something that appears to be incorrect.
Possible issues include:
- Incorrect penalty points
- Incorrect endorsements
- Incorrect vehicle entitlements
- An unexpected disqualification
- Other information you do not recognise
Do not ignore information that appears to be wrong.
For incorrect endorsement details, GOV.UK advises contacting the court that convicted you.
For other issues, you may need to contact DVLA or follow the relevant official procedure.
Can You Get a Copy of Your Driving Record?
If you need more extensive information than is available through the standard online service, there are other options.
DVLA provides a subject access process through which you can request personal information held about you. This can include information relating to your driver record. GOV.UK states that there is no charge for this information.
However, most motorists who simply want to check driving record information do not need to make a subject access request. The standard online service is generally the simpler option.
Driving Record Check UK: Great Britain and Northern Ireland
It is important to distinguish between the different UK licensing systems.
The DVLA service described in this guide applies to driving licences issued in:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
Northern Ireland has a separate licensing authority and online system.
Therefore, if you hold a Northern Ireland driving licence, make sure you use the appropriate Driver & Vehicle Agency service rather than the Great Britain DVLA service.
Is It Free to Check Your Driving Record?
The standard GOV.UK service for viewing or sharing your driving licence information is available online without a separate charge.
There are, however, alternative ways of requesting certain types of driving information that may involve a fee.
For example, companies can use the D888/1 process to request driver entitlement information.
For an ordinary driver who wants to check driving record information or create a check code, the online service is usually the most convenient option.
Why Regularly Check Your Driving Record?
Your physical photocard is useful, but your electronic driving record can contain additional information that is important to your legal driving status.
Regularly checking your record can help you:
- Confirm your driving entitlements
- Check penalty points
- Review disqualifications
- Prepare for vehicle hire
- Prepare for employment
- Verify licence information
- Identify potential errors
- Understand restrictions and endorsements
This is especially useful for professional drivers and anyone whose employment depends on having a valid driving entitlement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Check Driving Record
How do I check my driving record online?
Use the official GOV.UK service to view or share your driving licence information. You will normally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode recorded on your licence.
What information can I see when I check my driving record?
You can see information such as the vehicles you can drive, penalty points and disqualifications, depending on your record.
Can I check my penalty points online?
Yes. You can view your driving record to see penalty points and relevant endorsement information.
How long is a DVLA check code valid?
A DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once.
Can an employer check my driving record?
Yes. You can provide an employer with a DVLA check code so they can verify relevant information from your driving record. Companies can also use the appropriate DVLA process for requesting driver entitlement information.
Can a car hire company check my driving record?
Yes. A car hire company may ask you to provide a DVLA check code. Requirements vary between rental companies, so it is advisable to confirm what information they require before travelling.
Can I check someone else’s driving record?
Yes, but you need the driver’s permission, their check code and the last eight characters of their driving licence number.
Do I need a DVLA account to check my driving record?
No. GOV.UK provides a dedicated service for viewing or sharing driving licence information without requiring a Driver and Vehicles account.
Does the DVLA service cover Northern Ireland?
No. The DVLA service covered in this article is for licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system.
Final ThoughtKnowing how to check driving record information online is an important part of managing your UK driving licence.
Whether you want to confirm your vehicle entitlements, check penalty points, review a disqualification, prepare for a new driving job or provide your driving information to a car hire company, the official DVLA online service provides a convenient way to access your record.
For your own record, you will normally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode recorded on your licence.
If another person or organisation needs to verify your driving history, you can generate a DVLA check code. The code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once, helping to limit access to your driving information.
For more information about UK driving licences, DVLA checks, driving records, penalty points, licence replacement and other driving licence topics, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.