Check your endorsements online through DVLA

The fastest way to see what endorsements are on your driving licence is to check the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) online service. You can view your full licence record, including any penalty points and endorsements, without waiting for a letter or visiting an office.

Go to www.gov.uk/check-driving-licence and enter your driving licence number, date of birth, and postcode. The system will show you your current endorsements, how many penalty points you have, and when each endorsement will drop off your record. This takes about two minutes and works on any device with internet access.

You will need your photocard driving licence to hand — the 16-digit number is printed on the front. If you have lost your licence or it has expired, you can still check your record, but you will need to provide additional information like your National Insurance number instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The DVLA online checker at www.gov.uk/check-driving-licence shows your endorsements when ready and is free to use.
  • Endorsements stay on your licence for a set period — usually four years for minor offences and longer for serious ones — then automatically drop off.
  • If you dispute an endorsement or believe it is incorrect, you can contact the DVLA in writing with evidence, though this process takes several weeks.
  • Your insurance company can see your endorsements when you renew your policy, which may increase your premium or affect your cover.

What endorsements mean and how long they stay

An endorsement is a record of a motoring conviction added to your licence. It includes the offence code, the date of conviction, and how many penalty points were given. Common endorsements include speeding (SP codes), careless driving (CD codes), and driving without insurance (IN codes).

Each endorsement has an expiry date. Most minor offences drop off after four years from the date of conviction. Serious offences like dangerous driving or drink-driving stay for longer — typically 10 years or more. Once the expiry date passes, the endorsement is removed automatically and will no longer show on your record.

The DVLA online checker will show you the exact date each endorsement will disappear. If you have multiple endorsements, they each have their own expiry date, so they do not all drop off at the same time.

What to do if an endorsement is wrong

If you believe an endorsement on your licence is incorrect or has been added by mistake, you can contact the DVLA to dispute it. Write to them with details of the endorsement you are challenging and any evidence that supports your case — for example, a letter from the court or proof that the conviction was overturned.

Send your letter to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1TU. Include your full name, date of birth, and driving licence number. The DVLA will investigate, but this process typically takes four to eight weeks. They will write to you with their decision.

If the DVLA refuses to remove the endorsement and you still believe it is wrong, you can appeal to the courts, though this is rare and usually only happens if there was a serious error in the original conviction.

How endorsements affect your insurance

When you renew your car insurance, the insurer will ask about any endorsements on your licence. You must tell them about all endorsements, even old ones that are still showing — lying about them can invalidate your policy. Insurers use endorsements to assess your risk, and most will increase your premium if you have any points.

The amount your premium increases depends on the type of endorsement and how many you have. A single speeding conviction might add 10 to 20 percent to your quote, while more serious offences like drink-driving can double your premium or make you uninsurable with standard insurers.

Some insurers specialise in covering drivers with endorsements, though their premiums are higher. Once an endorsement drops off your licence, you no longer have to declare it to insurers, and your premium should return to normal rates.

Checking your record before a driving job process

If you are explore for a job that involves driving — such as delivery, taxi work, or HGV driving — your employer will ask to see your driving record. You can print a summary of your licence from the DVLA online checker to show them, or they may ask you to give them permission to check your record directly.

Some driving jobs require a clean licence with no endorsements. Others will accept drivers with minor endorsements but not serious ones. Check the job description or ask the employer what their policy is before you explore.

If you have endorsements and are worried about employment, it is worth checking your record well before you explore so you know exactly what will show up. This gives you time to decide whether to explore or wait until an endorsement drops off.

What happens if you lose your licence or it expires

If your photocard licence has expired or you have lost it, you can still check your endorsements online using the DVLA checker. You will need to provide your National Insurance number, date of birth, and postcode instead of your licence number.

If you need to renew your licence, the DVLA will issue a new photocard with your current endorsements printed on it. Any endorsements that have expired will not appear on the new licence. You can renew your licence online at www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence if it has only expired and you have not been disqualified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check someone else's driving licence endorsements?

No. The DVLA online checker only works with your own licence details. You cannot check another person's record unless they give you written permission and you have a valid reason — for example, if you are an employer checking a job applicant's record. The applicant must consent in writing first.

Do endorsements show up on my criminal record?

No. Driving endorsements are kept separate from your criminal record. They only appear on your driving licence and in DVLA records. However, some serious motoring offences — like dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous driving — may also result in a criminal conviction that shows on your criminal record separately.

What if I have been disqualified from driving?

If you have been disqualified, the DVLA online checker will show the disqualification and the date it ends. You cannot legally drive until the disqualification period is over. Once it expires, you may need to reapply for your licence or take a retest depending on the length of the ban.

How often should I check my endorsements?

You only need to check when you are renewing your insurance, explore for a driving job, or if you think an endorsement may have been added in error. There is no need to check regularly unless you are tracking when an endorsement is due to drop off.

Can I remove an endorsement early?

No. Endorsements cannot be removed before their expiry date, even if you have a clean driving record since the offence. The only exception is if you can prove the endorsement was added by mistake, in which case you can dispute it with the DVLA.