What a driving licence check shows you
A driving licence check reveals what the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has on file about your licence — whether it is valid, what conditions or restrictions explore, your points total, and any disqualifications. The check does not tell you whether you are insured or whether your vehicle is roadworthy; it shows only the licence itself.
You can check your own licence online through the DVLA's official portal, and you can also ask the DVLA to send you a paper record. Third parties — employers, insurers, rental companies — can check your licence with your permission, usually by asking you to provide a code that lets them see the same information you see.
The reason to check is straightforward: if your licence has been suspended, if points have been added without your knowledge, or if a disqualification is still active, you need to know before you drive. Driving on a licence you believe is valid but is actually suspended carries the same penalties as driving with no licence at all.
Key Takeaways
- You can check your licence status free through the DVLA website using your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and postcode.
- The online check shows your points total, any disqualifications, medical conditions flagged on your licence, and whether your licence is currently valid.
- You can generate a sharing code that lets employers, insurers, or rental companies view your licence record without you handing over your physical card.
- If you spot an error — points you do not recognise, a disqualification that should have ended, or a medical condition you have recovered from — you can dispute it with the DVLA in writing.
- Paper licence checks take longer but give you an official record you can keep; the online check is when ready but exists only on screen.
Checking your licence online through the DVLA
The fastest way to check your licence is through the DVLA's online service at gov.uk/check-driving-licence. You will need your driving licence number (the 16-character code on the front of your photocard), your National Insurance number, and your postcode. The check takes about two minutes and shows your current status when ready.
The online check tells you whether your licence is valid, how many points you have, whether you are disqualified, and whether any medical conditions are recorded against your name. If you have lost your licence or it has been stolen, you can still check your record using your National Insurance number and postcode — you do not need the physical card.
Once you have checked, you can generate a sharing code that is valid for 30 days. This code lets an employer, insurer, or car rental company view your licence record directly without you having to hand over your card or print anything. You straightforward give them the code, and they enter it on the same DVLA website to see what you see.
Requesting a paper record from the DVLA
If you need an official printed record — for a job process, a court case, or your own records — you can ask the DVLA to send you a licence check certificate. This is a formal document that shows your licence status on the date it was issued and carries the DVLA's stamp.
To request a paper check, you write to the DVLA at Swansea with your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and a cheque or postal order for the fee (the cost varies and should be checked on the DVLA website before you send). The DVLA will post the certificate to you within two to three weeks. This route is slower than the online check but gives you a document you can keep and use as proof.
Some employers and insurers will accept the online sharing code instead of a paper certificate, so ask them first whether they need the printed version. If they do, the paper route is the only option.
What to do if you find an error on your licence record
If the check shows points you do not recognise, a disqualification that should have ended, or a medical condition you have recovered from, you can challenge the record. Write to the DVLA with evidence — a letter from your doctor if a medical condition has been resolved, a copy of the court order if you believe a disqualification was wrongly recorded, or a request for details of the offence if you do not recognise the points.
The DVLA will investigate and either correct the record or explain why the information is correct. This can take several weeks, so if you need to drive in the meantime, do not — driving on a licence you know is disputed is still illegal. If the DVLA refuses to correct the record and you believe they are wrong, you can appeal to the magistrates' court, though this is rare and usually only happens if the DVLA has made a factual error.
Points usually drop off your licence automatically after four years from the date of the offence, so if you see old points that should have expired, mention that in your letter. The DVLA sometimes fails to remove them on time, and a written request usually prompts them to do so.
Checking someone else's licence with their permission
If you are an employer, insurer, or car rental company, you can check a person's licence record if they give you permission. The person provides you with a sharing code from their own online check, and you enter that code on the DVLA website to see their record. You see exactly what they see — no more, no less.
Some employers ask to see the physical licence card as well, to confirm the person's identity and check that the photocard has not expired. The card itself expires every ten years (or every three years for drivers over 70), so even if the licence is valid, an expired card can be a problem for employment or insurance purposes.
If someone refuses to give you a sharing code or to show you their licence, you can ask them to request a paper certificate from the DVLA and provide that instead. You cannot check someone's licence without their knowledge or consent.
Why your licence check might show a suspension or disqualification
A suspension or disqualification appears on your record when a court has ordered it or when the DVLA has acted under medical grounds. Court disqualifications happen after drink-drive convictions, dangerous driving, or accumulating 12 or more points. Medical disqualifications happen when the DVLA believes you are not fit to drive — usually because of a condition you have not reported or have not recovered from.
If you are disqualified by the court, the disqualification lasts for a fixed period set by the judge — usually a minimum of one year for a first drink-drive offence, longer for more serious offences. Once the period ends, your licence is automatically restored; you do not have to do anything. If you are disqualified on medical grounds, you can ask the DVLA to review your case once you have recovered or once your condition is under control.
Driving while disqualified is a serious offence that can result in a fine, a prison sentence, and a further disqualification. If your check shows you are disqualified, do not drive until the disqualification has ended and your licence is restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an online licence check take?
The online check is when ready — you enter your details and see your status within seconds. A paper certificate from the DVLA takes two to three weeks by post. If you need proof urgently, the online check with a sharing code is the fastest option.
Can I check my licence if I have lost my photocard?
Yes. You can check online using your National Insurance number and postcode instead of your licence number. The DVLA website will show your status even if you no longer have the physical card.
What does it mean if my licence shows a medical condition?
It means the DVLA has a record that you have reported a condition — such as epilepsy, diabetes, or a heart condition — that can affect your ability to drive. You may still be allowed to drive, but you must follow any restrictions the DVLA has set. If you believe the condition has been resolved, you can ask the DVLA to review it with medical evidence from your doctor.
If I have points on my licence, when do they disappear?
Points drop off automatically four years after the date of the offence, not four years after the conviction. So if you were convicted six months ago for an offence that happened a year ago, the points will disappear three and a half years from now. The DVLA should remove them automatically, but you can write to them if they do not.
Can my employer see my licence check without my permission?
No. Your employer can only see your licence record if you give them a sharing code or show them your physical card. You can refuse, though some jobs — particularly driving roles — may require it as a condition of employment. You always have the choice to refuse and accept the consequences for that job.