How to Get a DVLA Driving Licence Check Code Online: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Getting a DVLA driving licence check code online is quick and free, but many drivers still find the process confusing. If you’re hiring a car, starting a new driving job, or even taking your first driving lesson, you’ll almost certainly need one. This guide cuts through the confusion, walking you through exactly what a check code is, how to generate it, and how to avoid the most common mistakes and scams.

What Exactly is a DVLA Driving Licence Check Code?

A DVLA check code, sometimes called a share code, is an 8‑character alphanumeric passcode that gives a third party temporary, read‑only access to your driving licence information. Think of it as a secure, one‑time password that lets a car hire company, employer, or driving instructor verify your licence status without you having to hand over your physical card or any login credentials.

The system was introduced in 2015 to replace the paper counterpart of the driving licence, moving all your endorsements and penalty points online. Today, your driving record is stored digitally on the DVLA’s database, and the check code is the key that unlocks a snapshot of that data for a limited time.

What Information Does a Check Code Reveal?

When someone enters your check code on the DVLA’s “Check someone’s driving licence” portal, they can see:

Your name, date of birth, and the address on your licence
The categories of vehicles you’re legally entitled to drive
Any penalty points (endorsements) or disqualifications on your record
Your licence photograph (as stored by the DVLA)
The issue and expiry dates of your licence
Whether your licence is currently valid

Crucially, the recipient does not see your National Insurance number, driving licence number, or any other sensitive financial data. The system is designed to provide just enough information for verification while protecting your privacy.

How to Get Your DVLA Check Code: A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Generating a check code takes just a few minutes. Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before you start, make sure you have these three things to hand:

Your driving licence number – a 16‑character code found on line 5 of your photocard licence
Your National Insurance number – if you’ve lost it, you can find your National Insurance number online
The postcode on your driving licence – the one registered with the DVLA

Step 2: Go to the Official DVLA Service

Visit the official government portal at https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence . Important: Only use the GOV.UK website. There are many third‑party sites that look official but will charge you for a service that is completely free, and some are outright scams designed to steal your personal data .

Step 3: Enter Your Details and Log In

On the GOV.UK page, click the green “Start now” button. You’ll be asked to enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode. Tick the box to confirm you understand the terms, then click “View now”.

Step 4: Navigate to the Check Code Tab

Once logged in, you’ll see a summary of your driving record. At the top of the page, you’ll find several tabs:

“Your details”
“Vehicles”
“Penalties and disqualifications”
“Get your check code” ← This is the one you need

Click the “Get your check code” tab.

Step 5: Generate and Copy Your Code

You’ll now see a page explaining what a check code is and how it works. Click the green button to generate a new code. Your 8‑character check code will appear prominently on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot – the code is not sent to you by email or post, so if you navigate away, you’ll need to generate a new one.

The code is case‑sensitive – if it contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, you must enter it exactly as shown.

When Do You Need a DVLA Check Code?

The DVLA check code is used in a wide variety of everyday situations:

Car and van hire – Almost all rental companies now require a check code before they’ll hand over the keys
Employment verification – If you’re applying for a job that involves driving, your employer will need to check your licence status
Driving lessons – Instructors must verify that learner drivers hold a valid provisional licence before the first lesson
Fleet management – Companies with company cars or vans use check codes to monitor their drivers’ licence validity
Insurance quotes – Some insurers ask for a check code to verify your driving history before providing a quote
Licensing applications – For example, taxi and private hire licence applications require a DVLA check code as proof of your driver history

Important Things to Know About Your Check Code

The 21‑Day Validity Window

A DVLA check code is only valid for 21 days from the moment it’s generated. After that, it expires and cannot be used . This is a common source of frustration – if you generate a code too early, it may expire before the third party has a chance to use it. The best practice is to wait until you’re asked for the code, then generate it on the spot.

Each Code Can Only Be Used Once

The check code is a one‑time access token. Once someone has used it to view your licence details, it becomes invalid. If you need to share your information with a second company, you’ll need to generate a brand new code.

The Code is Case‑Sensitive

When sharing the code, copy it exactly – uppercase and lowercase letters matter. A small typo will prevent the third party from accessing your record.

Alternative Ways to Get a Check Code

If you can’t or don’t want to use the standard online service, you have two other options:

Driver and vehicles account – If you’ve registered for a driver and vehicles account, you can generate a QR code to share your licence information instantly. This new feature, launched in 2025, makes the process even quicker and more secure .
By phone – You can call the DVLA contact centre on 0300 083 0013. An operator will generate a case‑sensitive code for you to write down. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, 8am to 2pm.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

The Code Isn’t Working / “Invalid Code” Error

The most common cause is that the code has expired. Remember, check codes only last 21 days. If you’re sure the code is fresh, double‑check that you’ve entered it exactly as shown – including the correct case for each letter.

You’ve Lost Your Driving Licence Number

If you can’t find your driving licence number, you can still access your record using just your National Insurance number on the GOV.UK view driving record service.

The System is Down or Not Loading

If the GOV.UK service appears to be down, try:

Clearing your browser cache and cookies
Using a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
Waiting a few minutes and trying again

If the problem persists, you can call the DVLA helpline on 0300 083 0013.

The Code Was Used Before You Could Give It.

If a third party tells you the code has already been used, you’ll need to generate a new one. Unfortunately, there’s no way to “reset” a used code.

Is It Safe? Security and Scam Awareness

The DVLA check code system is secure, but only when you use the official GOV.UK website. The DVLA has warned that scammers are actively targeting drivers with fake emails, texts, and websites that impersonate the DVLA. In 2024 alone, nearly 20,000 people contacted the DVLA to report fraudulent activity.

To stay safe, follow these four key rules from the DVLA:

Only use GOV.UK – Never use third‑party websites to generate a check code. They may charge you for a free service or, worse, steal your personal information.
Never share your driving licence or vehicle information online – Avoid posting photos of your licence or V5C log book on social media. Fraudsters can use this information for identity theft or vehicle cloning.
Beware of emails and texts asking for personal details – The DVLA will never ask for your bank details or payment information via email or text, and vehicle tax refunds are issued automatically – never via a link in an email.
Report suspicious activity – If you receive a phishing email, report it to the National Cyber Security Centre. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud .

The DVLA has also announced that motorists with a driver and vehicles account can now use a QR code to share their licence information. This is an even more secure method, as it avoids the need to manually type out a code.

Conclusion.

The DVLA driving licence check code is a simple but essential tool for anyone who needs to prove their driving credentials in the UK. It’s free, secure, and takes only a few minutes to generate – as long as you stick to the official GOV.UK website. Remember: generate the code only when you need it, copy it carefully, and never share personal details with third‑party sites.

For more information, visit the official DVLA pages:

We have an updeted step by step guide live on our blog now on how to Check penalty points on your UK driving licence online and another on how to avoid penalty points on your UK driving licence. This article was carefully drafted by our research and expert team at buyukdrivinglicense.co.uk .