If you are searching for “check my driving licence”, you are probably looking for a quick and reliable way to view your UK driving licence information online. Whether you want to check your driving entitlement, penalty points, disqualifications or other details held on your driving record, the official DVLA online service can help.
For drivers in England, Scotland and Wales, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides an online service that allows you to view and share driving licence information. You can also generate a temporary check code when an employer, car hire company or another authorised organisation needs to verify your driving record.
In this comprehensive guide, we explain how to check my driving licence online, what information you need, what you can see on your driving record, how DVLA check codes work and what to do if something on your record appears incorrect.
Important: This website provides general information about UK driving licences. For an official check of your personal driving record, use the relevant GOV.UK DVLA service.
For more UK driving licence information, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
How Do I Check My Driving Licence Online?
If you want to check my driving licence information online, you can use the official DVLA service to view your driving record.
You will normally need:
- Your driving licence number
- Your National Insurance number
- The postcode recorded on your driving licence
Once your details have been verified, you can access information from your driving record. GOV.UK states that the online service can be used to view the vehicles you can drive and check penalty points or disqualifications. (gov.uk)
Step-by-Step: Check My Driving Licence
The process is straightforward:
- Go to the official GOV.UK driving licence service.
- Enter your driving licence number.
- Enter your National Insurance number.
- Enter the postcode recorded on your driving licence.
- Submit your details.
- View your driving record.
- Review your driving entitlement, penalty points and other available information.
- Generate a check code if you need to share your driving record.
If you need more information about DVLA services, explore our DVLA driving licence guide.
What Can I See When I Check My Driving Licence?
When you check my driving licence information online, you can access several important details associated with your driving record.
Driving Entitlements
Your record can show the categories of vehicles you are entitled to drive.
This can be particularly useful if you are unsure whether your licence allows you to drive a particular vehicle.
For example, you may want to check your entitlement before driving:
- A car
- A motorcycle
- A van
- A larger commercial vehicle
- A vehicle requiring a particular licence category
Understanding your licence categories can help you avoid driving a vehicle without the appropriate entitlement.
Penalty Points
You can also check whether penalty points are recorded against your driving licence.
This is particularly important if you have recently received a motoring conviction or endorsement.
Checking your record can help you understand your current driving status before:
- Applying for a driving job
- Hiring a vehicle
- Taking out motor insurance
- Driving for work
- Applying for certain professional driving positions
Disqualifications
Your driving record can also contain information about driving disqualifications.
If you have previously been disqualified from driving, checking your official record can help you understand whether the disqualification remains recorded.
You should never rely solely on the physical photocard to determine whether you are legally entitled to drive.
Why Should I Check My Driving Licence?
There are several reasons why drivers search for “check my driving licence.”
1. To Confirm Your Driving Entitlement
You may simply want to confirm which vehicles you are legally allowed to drive.
This can be especially useful if you have held your licence for many years or have passed additional driving tests.
2. To Check Penalty Points
If you have received penalty points, checking your record gives you a clearer picture of what is currently recorded.
This can be important because accumulating penalty points can have serious consequences for your driving entitlement.
3. To Check for Disqualifications
A driving disqualification can prevent you from legally driving.
Checking your official record can help you confirm your current status.
4. To Hire a Car
Many car rental companies may ask for a DVLA check code before allowing you to collect a vehicle.
GOV.UK identifies car hire companies as an example of organisations that may need to view a driver’s record. (gov.uk)
5. To Provide Information to an Employer
If your job requires you to drive, your employer may need to verify your driving entitlement.
This can apply to:
- Delivery drivers
- Van drivers
- HGV drivers
- Bus and coach drivers
- Fleet drivers
- Taxi and private-hire drivers
- Company vehicle drivers
6. To Make Sure Your Record Is Accurate
Regularly checking your driving information can help you identify information that may need clarification or correction.
Check My Driving Licence and DVLA Check Codes
A DVLA check code is a temporary code that allows you to share certain driving record information with another person or organisation.
For example, you may need a check code when:
- Hiring a car
- Starting a new driving job
- Providing information to an employer
- Allowing an organisation to verify your driving entitlement
You generate the code through the official DVLA service and give it to the organisation that needs to check your record.
According to GOV.UK, a check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once. (gov.uk)
For more information, see our DVLA licence check guide.
How Do I Generate a DVLA Check Code?
If someone needs to verify your driving information, you can generate a check code after accessing your driving record.
The general process is:
- Access your driving record through the official DVLA service.
- Select the option to share your driving licence information.
- Generate a check code.
- Give the code to the person or organisation requesting your information.
- Provide the last eight characters of your driving licence number when required.
The person or organisation can then use the official service to check the relevant information.
How Long Does a DVLA Check Code Last?
A DVLA check code lasts for 21 days and can only be used once. (gov.uk)
If the code expires before it is used, you will need to generate another one.
Can Someone Else Check My Driving Licence?
Yes, but there are privacy requirements.
If an employer, car hire company or another organisation needs to check my driving licence, they cannot simply access your driving record without your involvement.
The driver needs to provide:
- Permission to check the record
- A valid DVLA check code
- The last eight characters of their driving licence number
GOV.UK states that obtaining another person’s personal information without permission is a criminal offence. (gov.uk)
This system allows legitimate checks to take place while helping protect drivers’ personal information.
Check My Driving Licence Before Hiring a Car
One of the most common situations where drivers need to check their licence information is before hiring a vehicle.
A car rental company may want to confirm:
- Your driving entitlement
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
- Other relevant driving information
The company may therefore ask you to generate a DVLA check code.
It is a good idea to generate the code close to the date it is required because the code is only valid for 21 days.
Before travelling to collect a rental vehicle, check the rental company’s requirements carefully. Different companies can have additional documentation requirements.
Check My Driving Licence for a New Job
If you are applying for a job that involves driving, your potential employer may need to verify your licence.
For example, employers may check the records of:
- Delivery drivers
- Couriers
- HGV drivers
- Taxi drivers
- Bus drivers
- Fleet drivers
- Sales representatives using company vehicles
Your employer may ask you to provide a DVLA check code so they can verify your driving entitlement.
This can also help an employer confirm whether penalty points or disqualifications could affect your ability to perform a driving role.
Check My Driving Licence and Penalty Points
Penalty points are an important part of a driver’s record.
If you have recently received an endorsement, it is sensible to understand what has been recorded.
The official DVLA service allows eligible drivers to check penalty points and disqualifications on their driving record. (gov.uk)
This can be particularly important for new drivers.
Under the New Drivers Act, a driving licence can be revoked if a new driver receives six or more penalty points within two years of passing their first driving test. (gov.uk)
If you are a newly qualified driver, keeping track of your driving record is therefore particularly important.
Check My Driving Licence and Licence Categories
Your driving licence does not necessarily allow you to drive every type of vehicle.
Different licence categories provide different driving entitlements.
When you check my driving licence information, reviewing your categories can help you understand what you are entitled to drive.
This can be especially important when:
- Buying a new vehicle
- Hiring a van
- Starting a driving job
- Driving abroad
- Taking additional driving tests
You should always confirm that you have the correct entitlement before driving a vehicle.
Understanding UK Driving Licence Codes
UK driving licences can contain codes that indicate restrictions or conditions associated with your driving entitlement.
For example, code 01 relates to eyesight correction, while other codes can relate to vehicle adaptations or other restrictions. (gov.uk)
If you check your driving licence and see a code you do not understand, consult the official DVLA guidance rather than assuming what the code means.
For more information about UK licence terminology, visit our UK driving licence guide.
Check My Driving Licence After Moving House
If you have moved to a new address, you should make sure your driving licence information is up to date.
Changing the address on a GB photocard driving licence is currently free through the official online DVLA service. (gov.uk)
After changing your details, you can check my driving licence information again to confirm that your record has been updated.
Keeping your licence information current is important because DVLA correspondence may be sent to the address recorded on your driving record.
Check My Driving Licence After Losing My Licence
If your driving licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement.
The current fee for replacing a GB driving licence is £20. (gov.uk)
If your licence has been lost, our lost or stolen driving licence guide provides additional information.
It is also important to distinguish between your physical photocard and your driving record. Losing the photocard does not necessarily mean that your underlying driving record has disappeared.
Check My Driving Licence Without a DVLA Account
You do not necessarily need to create a Driver and Vehicles account simply to view or share your driving licence information.
GOV.UK provides a dedicated service that allows eligible drivers to view their driving record using their driving licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode. (gov.uk)
A Driver and Vehicles account is another option that provides access to a broader range of driving and vehicle services.
What Is a Driver and Vehicles Account?
The DVLA Driver and Vehicles account provides access to various online 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, stolen or damaged licence
- Change your driving licence address
- Create a licence check code
- Access certain vehicle information
GOV.UK states that 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. (gov.uk)
What If My Driving Licence Information Is Wrong?
After you check my driving licence, you might notice information that you believe is incorrect.
Possible issues could include:
- Incorrect personal information
- Incorrect penalty points
- Incorrect vehicle entitlement
- An unexpected disqualification
- Incorrect licence restrictions
Do not ignore information that appears to be incorrect.
The correct procedure depends on the type of information involved. Some endorsement issues may need to be addressed through the court that dealt with the offence, while other matters may require contacting DVLA.
For broader information about managing your licence, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.
Why You Should Regularly Check Your Driving Licence
Many motorists only think about their driving licence when they need to renew it or hire a car. However, periodically checking your driving information can be useful.
A check my driving licence search can help you:
- Confirm your driving entitlement
- Review penalty points
- Check disqualifications
- Prepare for vehicle rental
- Prepare for a driving job
- Verify your licence information
- Identify potential errors
- Understand your licence categories
Keeping track of your driving record can help you avoid unexpected problems.
Check My Driving Licence: Great Britain vs Northern Ireland
An important point to understand is that DVLA does not administer driving licences throughout the entire United Kingdom.
The DVLA system covers driving licences issued in:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system administered by the Driver & Vehicle Agency.
Therefore, if you search for “check my driving licence”, make sure you use the appropriate service for the jurisdiction that issued your licence.
Is It Free to Check My Driving Licence?
For eligible drivers, viewing or sharing your own driving licence information through the standard online DVLA service does not require a separate payment. (gov.uk)
However, other methods of requesting driving information can involve fees.
For most motorists who simply want to view their own driving record or generate a check code, the online service is the most convenient option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Checking Your Driving Licence
How do I check my driving licence online?
You can use the official DVLA online service. You will normally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode recorded on your licence. (gov.uk)
What can I see when I check my driving licence?
You can view information including your driving entitlement, vehicles you can drive, penalty points and disqualifications, depending on your record. (gov.uk)
Can I check my driving licence without a check code?
Yes. You do not need a check code to view your own driving record.
A check code is primarily used when you want to share relevant driving information with another person or organisation.
How do I check someone else’s driving licence?
The driver must give you permission and provide a valid check code and the last eight characters of their driving licence number. (gov.uk)
How long is a DVLA check code valid?
A DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once. (gov.uk)
Can my employer check my driving licence?
Yes. If your job involves driving, an employer can ask you to provide the information needed to verify your driving entitlement.
Can a car hire company check my driving record?
Yes. Car hire companies can request a DVLA check code so they can verify relevant driving information with your permission. (gov.uk)
Can I check my penalty points online?
Yes. The official DVLA service allows eligible drivers to check penalty points and disqualifications. (gov.uk)
Do I need a DVLA account?
No. You can use the dedicated DVLA service to view or share your driving licence information without necessarily creating a Driver and Vehicles account. (gov.uk)
Does this service work for Northern Ireland?
The DVLA online service covers licences issued in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence authority.
Final Thoughts: Check My Driving Licence Online
Knowing how to check my driving licence information online is an important part of managing your UK driving record.
Whether you want to check your vehicle entitlement, review penalty points, confirm a disqualification, prepare for car hire or provide information to an employer, the official DVLA service makes it easier to access and share relevant driving information.
You will normally need your driving licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode to access your own record. If another person needs to check your driving information, you can generate a temporary DVLA check code and give it to them with the required licence information.
Remember that a DVLA check code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once. Always protect your personal information and only share your driving information with people or organisations that genuinely need it.
For more helpful information about driving licences, DVLA checks, licence renewal, replacement and driving records, visit UK DVLA Driving Licence.