How To Check Your Driving Licence In The UK
You can check your driving licence for free on GOV.UK using the View Driving Licence service. You need your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and the postcode on your licence.
The service shows your licence categories, any penalty points, and whether your licence is currently valid. Whether you need your record for a car insurance quote, a car hire booking, or an employer check, this guide covers every method available in 2026.
You can check your driving licence for free on GOV.UK in about two minutes. It shows your licence categories, penalty points, and whether your licence is valid, all of which directly affect your car insurance premium.
Compare car insurance quotes to see how your driving record affects your price.
- Why would you check your driving licence?
- How do you check your driving licence online?
- What does your driving record show?
- How do you generate a share code?
- How long do penalty points stay on your licence?
- How do you replace or update your driving licence?
- Can you check your licence by phone or post?
- What is the digital driving licence?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why would you check your driving licence?
Most people check their driving licence when they need to share their record with a third party. There are several common reasons.
Before buying car insurance
Insurers use a system called MyLicence to check your driving record when you apply for a quote. Your licence type, endorsement history, and claim record all affect how your premium is calculated. Checking your record beforehand means you can give accurate information and avoid any surprises at renewal.
Before hiring a car
Car hire companies ask for a DVLA check code to verify your licence before handing over the keys. The code confirms your entitlement to drive and shows any endorsements. If you are borrowing a car for a short period, temporary car insurance is an alternative to being added to someone else’s policy.
Before starting a new driving job
Employers in transport, delivery, and taxi roles are required to verify that drivers hold a valid licence with the correct categories. Fleet managers typically run checks at hiring and then periodically throughout employment.
How do you check your driving licence online?
The quickest way to check your licence is through the DVLA’s free online service at GOV.UK. The whole process takes around two minutes.
What you need
You need three pieces of information: your driving licence number (printed on line 5 of your photocard), your National Insurance number, and the postcode currently registered on your licence.
If you hold a provisional licence, the same service works for you. Learner driver insurance quotes also require your licence number, so it is worth checking your details are correct before applying.
Step-by-step process
Go to the View Driving Licence page on GOV.UK, run by the DVLA. Enter your driving licence number, NI number, and postcode. The service then displays your full driving record across several tabs.
The first tab shows your personal details and licence status. The second tab lists every vehicle category you are entitled to drive. The third tab shows any penalty points or disqualifications.
What does your driving record show?
Your driving record contains all the information the DVLA holds about you as a driver. It is split into several sections.
| Section | What it shows |
| Personal details | Your name, date of birth, address, and licence issue/expiry dates |
| Licence status | Whether your licence is currently valid, expired, or revoked |
| Vehicle categories | Every category you can drive (e.g. B for cars, A for motorcycles, C1 for small lorries) |
| Provisional entitlements | Categories you hold a provisional licence for but have not yet passed |
| Endorsements | Any penalty points, the offence code, date of conviction, and when they expire |
| Disqualifications | Any periods where you were banned from driving, including the dates |
Each endorsement is recorded with a code (such as SP30 for speeding or DR10 for drink driving), the date of the offence, and the number of points.
How do you generate a share code?
A share code (sometimes called a check code) lets someone else view your driving record without needing your personal details. You generate one through the View Driving Licence service on GOV.UK.
When do you need a share code?
You will usually need a share code when hiring a car, starting a driving job, or adding yourself as a named driver on someone else’s insurance policy. The person checking your licence enters the code on the check driving information page on GOV.UK, along with your last name and driving licence number.
How long is a share code valid?
Each share code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once. After 21 days the code expires and you will need to generate a new one. There is no limit to how many codes you can create.
How long do penalty points stay on your licence?
Most penalty points stay on your driving record for four years from the date of the offence, although more serious offences remain for longer.
| Offence type | Example codes | Points | How long on your record |
| Speeding | SP30, SP50 | 3 to 6 | 4 years from the offence date |
| Using a phone while driving | CU80 | 6 | 4 years from the offence date |
| Drink driving | DR10, DR20 | 3 to 11 | 11 years from the conviction date |
| Dangerous driving | DD40, DD80 | 3 to 11 | 4 years (or 11 if disqualified) |
| Driving without insurance | IN10 | 6 to 8 | 4 years from the offence date |
What happens at 12 points?
If you accumulate 12 or more points within three years, you face a mandatory disqualification (known as totting up). The standard ban is six months, but it can be longer for repeat offenders. Driving with a disqualification is a criminal offence that may result in a convicted driver record, making future insurance significantly more expensive.
New driver rules
If you passed your test within the last two years, your licence is automatically revoked at just six points. You will need to reapply for a provisional licence and retake both the theory and practical tests. This rule applies to young drivers and anyone recently qualified. A black box policy can help new drivers build a clean record by rewarding safe driving habits.
Related: How Much Can I Drink and Still Drive?
How do you replace or update your driving licence?
You can replace a lost, stolen, or damaged licence online through GOV.UK, or by post using a D1 application form from the Post Office.
Replacing a lost or stolen licence
A replacement photocard costs £20 if you apply online through the DVLA replacement service. Postal applications using a D1 form also cost £20. Online applications are usually processed faster, while postal replacements can take up to three weeks.
If you lose your licence abroad or need help with other missing documents, see how to replace lost car documents.
Updating your name or address
Address changes are free and can be done online. Name changes (for example after marriage) also require updating your photo, and you will need to send supporting documents by post using a D1 form. Your photocard must be renewed every 10 years, and the DVLA sends a reminder before it expires.
Related: How to Renew an Expired Driving Licence in the UK
Can you check your licence by phone or post?
If you cannot use the online service, the DVLA offers two alternative methods: phone and post.
By phone, call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801. The line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, and Saturday, 8am to 2pm. An operator can confirm your licence status, categories, and any endorsements over the phone.
By post, you can request a copy of your driving record by writing to the DVLA at Swansea, SA99 1AB. This method is slower (allow two to four weeks) and is mainly used by people without internet access.
What is the digital driving licence?
The UK government is rolling out a digital driving licence through the GOV.UK Wallet, a new smartphone app built on the GOV.UK One Login system. The pilot launched in 2025, with wider public access expected in 2026.
How does it work?
You download the GOV.UK One Login app on iOS or Android, verify your identity, and your driving licence is added to a secure digital wallet on your phone. The digital licence can be used for age verification, car hire, police checks, and anywhere you would normally show a physical licence.
The app uses the same biometric security as mobile banking, including facial recognition. If your phone is lost, your digital licence cannot be accessed by anyone else.
Does it replace the physical licence?
No. The physical photocard remains valid and the government has confirmed it will continue to be issued alongside the digital version. The digital driving licence announcement confirmed that all government credentials should have a digital option by the end of 2027, but physical cards are not being phased out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. The View Driving Licence service on GOV.UK is completely free. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge a fee for the same information.
Only if you give them a share code. The code, along with your last name and driving licence number, lets them view your record on GOV.UK. Each code is valid for 21 days and can only be used once.
Your driving licence number is printed on line 5 of your UK photocard licence. It is a 16-character string that starts with the first five characters of your surname.
You can call the DVLA on 0300 790 6801 and they can look up your record using other personal details. The online service requires both your licence number and NI number.
You do not have to check it yourself, but insurers will access your DVLA record through the MyLicence system. Checking your record first helps you give accurate details and avoid having a quote adjusted later.
The online check takes about two minutes. Phone checks depend on waiting times but usually take under 10 minutes. Postal requests can take two to four weeks.
Yes. The GOV.UK View Driving Licence service works on mobile browsers. In 2026, the new GOV.UK Wallet app also lets you store and share a digital version of your licence directly from your phone.
Contact the DVLA by phone on 0300 790 6801 or in writing to report any errors. The DVLA will investigate and correct your record. Keep any supporting evidence, such as court documents or correspondence from a police force.
Yes. Your online driving record shows all current endorsements, including the offence code, number of points, date of conviction, and when they expire.
The GOV.UK Wallet pilot expanded in early 2026. The government aims for all government-issued credentials to have a digital option by the end of 2027. Physical photocards will remain valid alongside the digital version.