DVLA Check Code: How To Get Driving Licence Check Code
I have walked thousands of drivers and employers through the DVLA check code process. If someone has asked you for a code and you do not know where to start, this guide covers everything you need to generate, share, and manage your code correctly.
Key Takeaways
- A DVLA check code lasts 21 days from generation and cannot be reactivated after expiry.
- You need your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode to generate a code through GOV.UK.
- Employers must obtain explicit consent before using your code to view your record.
- There is no official DVLA app for licence checks. Only the GOV.UK website is legitimate.
- New drivers within their first two years face a 6-point revocation threshold, not the standard 12.
- A DVLA check code is not the same as a Home Office share code for immigration status.
Table of Contents
DVLA Check Code
A DVLA check code is a temporary digital code that gives a named third party permission to view your driving licence record through GOV.UK. I find that most people only hear about it when an employer or car hire desk demands one, and by then they are rushing.
The DVLA replaced the paper counterpart licence on 8 June 2015. Before that date, your endorsements and entitlements were printed on a paper document carried alongside your photocard. Now, the check code is the only official method for sharing that information.
Your photocard alone does not show penalty points, entitlements, or disqualifications in real time. The check code connects directly to live DVLA records, giving the viewer a current and accurate picture rather than an outdated snapshot.
What Is Driving Licence Check Code?
A driving licence check code is a randomly generated character sequence created through your GOV.UK account. Think of it as a digital key with an expiry date. It unlocks your DVLA record for one specific third party during a limited window.
The code does not appear on your photocard or in any correspondence from DVLA. Your physical licence is a snapshot from its issue date. Your DVLA record is a live database that updates whenever you gain an entitlement, receive points, or face a ban. The check code connects the viewer to that live record.
A mistake I see regularly is drivers assuming an old code still works. It does not. Each code has a fixed lifespan and cannot be recycled.
How To Get DVLA Check Codes?
Generating a code takes under five minutes. Here is what you need before you start:
| What You Need | Where To Find It |
|---|---|
| Driving licence number | Front of your photocard licence |
| National Insurance number | Payslip, P60, or HMRC letter |
| DVLA-registered postcode | Must match what DVLA currently holds |
Follow these steps:
- Go to the “View or share your driving licence information” page on GOV.UK.
- Enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode.
- Select the option to generate a check code.
- The code appears on screen immediately. Write it down straight away.
- Share the code with the third party along with your driving licence number.
The service is completely free. No Government Gateway account is required. If the system rejects your login, the most common cause is a postcode mismatch from a house move not yet reported to DVLA.
DVLA Check Code Finder
1 question · instant answer
Need A DVLA Check Code For Work Today?
Been asked for a DVLA check code by an employer or car hire company? Generate the correct code in minutes and avoid delays, rejected applications, or expired codes during the 21-day validity window.
How Long Does A DVLA Check Code Last?
Every DVLA check code is valid for exactly 21 days. After that window closes, it expires permanently and cannot be extended or reactivated.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity period | 21 days from generation |
| Uses per code | One third party |
| Cost | Free |
| Reactivation after expiry | Not possible |
Generate a separate code for each organisation that needs one. Creating a new code does not cancel any existing active codes.
Here is the practical tip I give everyone: do not generate your code too early. If your employer is not ready to check for another three weeks, the code will expire before they use it. Generate only when the third party is ready to act within a few days. This is especially important before a car hire booking. Generate the code the day before collection, not the day you book.
Driving Licence Check
A driving licence check is the full verification process, not just the code itself. When a third party enters your code and licence number on GOV.UK, they receive a summary of your record.
| Information Visible | Included |
|---|---|
| Vehicle categories and entitlements | Yes |
| Penalty points and endorsements | Yes |
| Disqualification status | Yes |
| Photograph and signature | No |
| Medical disclosures to DVLA | No |
In practice, a fleet manager uses this to confirm a new HGV driver holds Category C entitlement and carries no active bans. Without this step, an employer could unknowingly put an unqualified driver behind the wheel.
Only organisations with a legitimate reason and the driver’s consent can request a check. Under Section 164 of the Road Traffic Act, police officers can require licence production. For employers, the lawful basis typically falls under legitimate interest where driving is a core job function.
DVLA Licence Check Code
A DVLA licence check code is designed for controlled, consent-based data sharing. When you hand this code to an employer or rental agency, you grant them time-limited access to your official record. You stay in control because the code expires and you choose who receives it.
The distinction between roles matters. The driver generates the code. The employer validates it by entering the code alongside the driver’s licence number on GOV.UK. Both parties must act within the 21-day window. I see confusion on both sides regularly, so getting this clear from the start prevents delays.
Organisations processing high volumes of licence checks need structured workflows. The licence verification service helps businesses reduce hiring risks and ensure legal protection through compliant DVLA check processes.
See How Thousands Verify Licences Safely
Drivers and employers rely on the official GOV.UK system to verify licence points, entitlements, and bans instantly. Follow the proven DVLA check code process to share records securely and legally.
What Is A DVLA Share Code?
A DVLA share code and a DVLA check code are completely different tools. This is the single biggest point of confusion I encounter.
A check code relates to your driving licence record. A share code is part of the Home Office system and proves your immigration status or right to work in the UK. The share code is generated through the “Prove your right to work” service on GOV.UK.
If an employer asks for a share code, they want immigration verification. If they ask for a check code, they need driving licence details. Getting these mixed up wastes time for everyone.
Where Can I Find My DVLA Check Code?
Your code appears on screen immediately after generation. It is not sent by email, text, or post. You must record it at the point of creation.
If you lose it before sharing, log back into GOV.UK and generate a fresh one. The original stays valid until its 21-day expiry, and any new code carries its own separate window.
My recommendation: copy the code into a note on your phone along with the date you generated it. That way you can track whether it will still be valid when the third party is ready.
Check Driving Licence Points
You can review your endorsements and penalty points through the GOV.UK view driving licence service. You do not need a check code to view your own record.
The service shows each endorsement with its offence code, point value, and expiry date. Here are the codes I come across most often:
| Code | Offence | Points |
|---|---|---|
| SP30 | Exceeding statutory speed limit | 3-6 |
| SP50 | Exceeding speed limit on motorway | 3-6 |
| IN10 | Using a vehicle uninsured | 6-8 |
| CU80 | Using a mobile phone while driving | 6 |
| DR10 | Driving with excess alcohol | 3-11 |
Under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, accumulating 12 or more points within three years triggers a totting-up disqualification of at least six months.
What many drivers miss is the new driver rule. If you passed your test within the last two years and accumulate 6 or more points, your licence is automatically revoked under the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995. You must then reapply for a provisional licence and retake both theory and practical tests.
Download The DVLA Check Code Step-By-Step Guide
Learn exactly how to generate your DVLA check code using your licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode. This quick guide shows the full process so you can create and share your code correctly.
How Do You Check If You Are Banned From Driving?
A driving ban appears clearly in your DVLA record when viewed through GOV.UK. If a disqualification is active, the record shows the ban period and end date. Your valid entitlement categories will be absent or marked accordingly.
If a ban appears unexpectedly, contact DVLA to clarify. Court-imposed disqualifications are processed through DVLA, and a short delay may exist between the court decision and the record updating online.
This is critical: driving while disqualified is a criminal offence under Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Penalties include up to six months imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and an extended disqualification period. If you discover an active ban, stop driving immediately and seek legal advice.
View Driving Licence
Viewing your licence online is a personal reference tool, separate from generating a check code. When you log into the GOV.UK service, your record displays your full name, date of birth, licence issue and expiry dates, vehicle categories, provisional entitlements, and any restrictions such as corrective lenses (restriction code 01).
This service does not share your record with anyone. To let a third party see your details, you must generate a check code. I have spoken with drivers who assumed logging in somehow made their record visible to employers. It does not. You must actively create and share a code.
Is There A DVLA Licence Check App?
No. There is no official DVLA mobile application for licence checks. The check code system operates entirely through the GOV.UK website, which works fully on mobile browsers including Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
Avoid third-party apps claiming to offer DVLA checks. These are not endorsed by DVLA, frequently charge fees for a service that is free on GOV.UK, and could mishandle your personal data. I have seen apps charging upwards of fifteen pounds for something that takes five minutes and costs nothing on the official site.
The UK Government has explored digital driving licence concepts. However, as of this writing, no official digital licence or DVLA app has launched. Any future developments will be announced through GOV.UK.
Check Your Driving Licence Points Instantly
Unsure if you have penalty points or a driving ban on your record? Access the official DVLA licence check service to see endorsements, offence codes, and disqualification status in real time.
Check Someones Driving Licence Online
To check someone else’s driving licence, you need their explicit consent and their DVLA check code paired with their driving licence number. Enter both on GOV.UK and the system displays the licence summary.
Employer responsibilities are clear. Under UK GDPR, you must have a lawful basis for processing the data. For driving roles, this falls under legitimate interest or legal obligation. The ICO data guidance provides detailed information on processing requirements. Failing to follow these steps creates legal and financial exposure.
Businesses managing multiple drivers benefit from structured processes. The licence audit solution helps organisations streamline driver onboarding and avoid compliance fines through lawful verification workflows.
Help Using The Online Service
If you have trouble generating a code, work through this table before contacting DVLA:
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Login rejected | Postcode does not match DVLA records | Update address with DVLA first |
| Code not displaying | Outdated browser or cached data | Clear cache, update browser, refresh |
| Service unavailable | GOV.UK scheduled maintenance | Wait and retry, check GOV.UK status |
| NI number not accepted | Incorrect entry or format error | Cross-check against payslip or P60 |
| Licence expired | Expired licence restricts service | Renew licence through GOV.UK first |
Browser compatibility matters. Use current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Corporate VPNs sometimes block government websites, so try from a personal device if your work network causes issues.
How To Actually Speak To Someone At DVLA?
To speak to a DVLA adviser, call the drivers helpline listed on the DVLA contact page. The automated menu routes you through several options. Select driving licence enquiries.
Wait times vary. Early mornings midweek tend to have shorter queues than Mondays or Friday afternoons. Speaking to an adviser is necessary when the online service cannot resolve your issue, such as an unprocessed name change or address discrepancy causing login failures.
Frequently Asked Questions About DVLA Check Code
What Is A Dvla Check Code And Why Do Employers Ask For It?
A DVLA check code is the only legal way for an employer to verify that you hold a valid driving licence and have no unspent disqualifications. Employers ask for it because they have a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure all drivers working for them are properly licensed. An employer that fails to complete proper checks can receive an unlimited fine and a criminal conviction if one of their drivers is involved in an incident.
How Can You Check Driving Licence Points Online In The UK?
You can check your driving licence points online for free through the official GOV.UK check code service. Generate a code and then select the option to view your own record. This will show you all current and expired endorsements, the number of points on your licence, and any disqualifications. This is the only official and accurate source of this information.
