What you can print from the DVLA website

The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) lets you print several documents directly from their online services without visiting an office. The most common printouts are a driving licence check code (a temporary proof document), a vehicle tax reminder, and records of your driving or vehicle history. You cannot print your actual photocard driving licence or vehicle registration certificate (V5C) — those must be ordered as physical documents — but you can print proof that you hold them.

What you print depends on what you need it for. A check code works as temporary proof of your licence for employers, car rental companies, or insurance purposes. A tax reminder shows your vehicle's tax status. Other printouts might include penalty points records or vehicle keeper details. Each document serves a specific purpose and is valid for a limited time.

Key Takeaways

  • You can print a driving licence check code, vehicle tax information, and some records from your DVLA online account, but not your actual licence card or registration certificate.
  • A check code is temporary proof of your driving licence and usually remains valid for about four weeks.
  • You need to log into your DVLA online account using your driving licence number, national insurance number, and postcode.
  • Printed documents work for most purposes like employment checks and car rental, but some organisations may ask for the original photocard instead.

How to access your DVLA account and print documents

Start by visiting the DVLA's official website and finding the "View your driving licence" or "Manage your vehicle" service. You will need to log in using your driving licence number, national insurance number, and postcode. If you do not have an online account yet, you can create one during this process — it takes a few minutes and requires the same information.

Once logged in, you will see options for different documents. Select the one you need — for example, "View your driving licence details" if you want a check code, or "View your vehicle tax" if you need tax information. The system will display your information on screen. Look for a print button (usually in the top right corner of your browser) or use your keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+P on Windows, Cmd+P on Mac). Choose your printer and print to paper or to a PDF file on your computer.

Keep the file or paper copy safe. Some organisations will ask you to show the original document on screen during a video call, so saving a PDF can be useful if you need to share it later.

What a driving licence check code is and how long it lasts

A check code is a temporary proof document that shows you hold a valid driving licence. It includes your name, date of birth, licence number, and an expiry date. The code itself is a string of characters that third parties (like employers or car hire companies) can use to verify your licence details against DVLA records. This is different from your actual photocard, which is a physical card issued by post.

A check code typically remains valid for about four weeks from the date you print it. After that, it expires and you will need to print a new one if you need proof again. This short validity period is intentional — it encourages people to use the DVLA's online verification service instead of relying on old printouts. Some organisations prefer to check your code themselves rather than accept a printed document, so always ask what form of proof they need before you print.

When a printed document will and will not work

Printed DVLA documents work well for most everyday situations. Employers checking your right to work often accept a check code. Car rental companies usually accept it as proof you hold a licence. Insurance companies may use it to verify your licence status. Many government services and organisations have moved to accepting digital or printed proof rather than demanding the original photocard.

However, some situations still require the original photocard or registration certificate. Police officers conducting roadside checks will want to see your actual licence card, not a printout. Some financial institutions or official bodies may insist on seeing the original document in person. If you are unsure whether a printout will be accepted, contact the organisation first and ask what form of proof they need. This saves you time and avoids the frustration of arriving with the wrong document.

Printing vehicle tax and registration information

If you need to print information about your vehicle rather than your licence, log into your DVLA account and select "Manage your vehicle" or "View your vehicle tax". The system will show your vehicle registration number (number plate), tax status, and the date your tax expires or renews. You can print this page as proof that your vehicle tax is up to date, which is useful if you need to show it to an insurance company or during a roadside check.

Vehicle registration certificates (V5C documents) cannot be printed from the website — they must be ordered as physical documents by post. However, the printed tax information is usually sufficient for most purposes. If someone needs to see your full registration details, you may need to order the V5C instead, which takes about a week to arrive.

Troubleshooting common printing problems

If you cannot log into your DVLA account, check that you are using the correct information. Your driving licence number is on the front of your photocard. Your national insurance number is on your National Insurance letters or payslips. Your postcode must match the address registered with DVLA. If you have recently moved house, update your address with DVLA before trying to log in, as the postcode check will fail otherwise.

If the print button does not appear, try using your browser's standard print function instead (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P). Some older browsers do not display the button clearly. Make sure you are using an up-to-date version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. If the document looks cut off or incomplete when you print, adjust your browser's print settings to include margins and scale the page to fit.

If you have forgotten your password or cannot access your account, use the "Forgotten password" link on the DVLA login page. You will be sent a reset link by email. If you do not receive it, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes — the email can take time to arrive.

Keeping your printed documents find

Printed DVLA documents contain personal information, so treat them with the same care you would give your actual licence or registration certificate. Do not leave them lying around where others can see them. If you save a PDF to your computer, keep it in a find folder and consider password-protecting it if you share your device with others. When you no longer need a printed copy, shred it rather than throwing it in the bin.

If you print a check code and then realise you do not need it, you can print a new one at any time — there is no limit to how many you can generate. The old one straightforward expires after four weeks anyway. If you are concerned that someone has seen your printed document, you can contact DVLA to report it, though in most cases a printout poses less risk than a lost photocard because it cannot be used as physical ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print my actual driving licence photocard from the website?

No. You can only print a check code, which is temporary proof that you hold a licence. Your actual photocard must be ordered as a physical document by post from DVLA. A check code works for most purposes like employment checks and car rental, but some organisations may ask for the original card instead.

How long does a printed check code stay valid?

A check code is usually valid for about four weeks from the date you print it. After that, it expires and you will need to print a new one if you need proof again. You can print as many check codes as you need — there is no limit.

Will my employer accept a printed check code instead of the original licence?

Most employers will accept a printed check code for right-to-work checks, as they can verify it against DVLA records. However, some may still ask to see your original photocard in person. Always ask your employer what form of proof they need before you print, so you know whether a check code will be sufficient.

What should I do if I cannot log into my DVLA account?

Check that you are using your driving licence number, national insurance number, and the postcode registered with DVLA. If you have moved house recently, update your address first. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgotten password" link on the login page to reset it by email.

Can I print my vehicle registration certificate from the website?

No. You can print your vehicle tax status and some registration details, but the full V5C registration certificate must be ordered as a physical document by post. The printed tax information is usually enough for most purposes like insurance checks.