DVLA Share Code: A Complete UK Guide to Driving Licence Check Codes

A DVLA share code is one of those small but important things many UK drivers only hear about when they suddenly need it. You may be hiring a car, starting a driving job, applying for company vehicle access, or proving your driving record to an employer. Then someone asks: “Can you send over your DVLA share code?”

The good news is that getting one is usually quick. The less helpful part is that the name can be confusing. Technically, DVLA often refers to it as a licence check code rather than a “share code”. In everyday use, however, many people call it a DVLA share code because it allows you to share your driving licence information securely with another organisation.

This guide explains what a DVLA share code is, how to get one, what information it shows, how long it lasts, and what to do if you cannot generate one.

What Is a DVLA Share Code?

A DVLA share code is a temporary code that lets another person or organisation check selected details from your UK driving licence record. It is commonly used by employers, car hire companies, fleet managers, driving agencies, insurers and other businesses that need to confirm whether you are legally allowed to drive certain vehicles.

The service applies to driving licences issued in England, Wales and Scotland. Drivers can use the official GOV.UK service to view their driving record, check penalty points or disqualifications, and create a licence check code to share their record with someone else. The check code is valid for 21 days.

In simple terms, it replaces the old need to show parts of your paper driving record. Since the paper counterpart to the photocard licence was abolished in Great Britain, much of this information is now checked online instead.

Why Would Someone Ask for a DVLA Share Code?

There are several normal reasons why you may be asked for a DVLA share code in the UK. The most common is car hire. Before handing over a vehicle, a rental company may want to confirm that your licence is valid and that you do not have restrictions, penalty points or disqualifications that affect the hire agreement.

Employers may also ask for a code if your role involves driving. This could include delivery drivers, sales representatives, care workers, engineers, taxi or private hire drivers, field technicians and anyone who regularly uses a company vehicle. A business has a duty to manage risk, so checking that staff are properly licensed is often part of its internal compliance process.

A DVLA share code may also be useful when joining a fleet scheme, arranging business vehicle insurance, or proving entitlement to drive a specific vehicle category. For example, someone driving a van, minibus or larger vehicle may need to show more than just a photocard licence.

What Information Can Be Checked?

A DVLA share code allows the checker to see key driving licence details. This can include the types of vehicles you are allowed to drive, penalty points, endorsements and disqualifications. The GOV.UK service says drivers can view information such as vehicles they can drive and create a check code to share their driving record.

This does not mean you should hand out your personal information casually. The person checking your licence needs your permission, and GOV.UK makes clear that obtaining someone else’s personal information without permission is a criminal offence.

How to Get a DVLA Share Code Online

To generate a DVLA share code, you need to use the official “View or share your driving licence information” service on GOV.UK. Before you start, you will usually need three pieces of information: your driving licence number, your National Insurance number, and the postcode shown on your driving licence.

The process is straightforward:

1. Go to the official GOV.UK driving licence information service.
2. Enter your driving licence number.
3. Enter your National Insurance number.
4. Enter the postcode printed on your driving licence.
5. Access your driving record.
6. Choose the option to share your licence information.
7. Generate a check code.
8. Give the code to the organisation that needs to check your record.

You may also be able to generate a licence check code through a DVLA driver and vehicles account. GOV.UK says this account can be used to view your driving record, check penalty points or disqualifications, manage some licence services and create a licence check code.

How Long Does a DVLA Share Code Last?

A DVLA share code is valid for 21 days. This is important because it means you should not generate the code too early if you are going to need it for a specific date, such as a car hire booking or job onboarding appointment.

For example, if you are hiring a car in Spain next month, generating your code today may not be useful if the rental company checks it after the 21-day period has ended. In that case, it is usually better to create the code closer to the date when the company will actually need it.

Can a DVLA Share Code Be Used More Than Once?

For someone checking another person’s driving licence information, GOV.UK states that the check code must be used within 21 days and can only be used once. The checker will also need the last 8 characters of the driver’s driving licence number.

That means if two different companies need to check your record, you may need to generate separate codes. This is normal. It helps keep the process more secure and gives drivers more control over who accesses their licence information.

What Does the Checker Need?

If an employer, car hire firm or other authorised organisation wants to check your licence, they generally need two things:

They need the check code you generated, and they need the last 8 characters of your driving licence number. GOV.UK confirms that a person checking someone else’s licence information needs a check code from the driver and the last 8 characters of that driver’s licence number.

You should only share these details with a legitimate organisation that has a genuine reason to check your driving record. If something feels suspicious, pause before sending anything.

DVLA Share Code for Car Hire

Car hire is one of the most common situations where UK drivers need a DVLA share code. Rental companies may ask for it when you collect the vehicle, especially if you are hiring abroad or using a UK licence with a company that checks endorsements.

A practical tip is to generate the code shortly before your hire period and keep it somewhere accessible, such as in your email or travel documents. However, avoid posting it in public messages or sending it to anyone who does not need it.

Some car hire firms may also ask for a printed driving licence summary. The DVLA service has historically allowed drivers to print or save a summary of their licence information, which can be useful when travelling or dealing with a company that wants paperwork as well as the code.

DVLA Share Code for Employers

Employers often use DVLA checks as part of driver risk management. This is especially common where employees drive company vehicles, drive for work, carry passengers, deliver goods or operate vans.

From an employer’s perspective, the code helps confirm whether the employee has the right licence category, whether there are endorsements, and whether there are any disqualifications. From the employee’s perspective, it is a controlled way to share official information without handing over unnecessary documents.

A good employer should explain why the check is needed, how the information will be used, and how it will be stored. They should also ask for your permission before checking your record.

What If You Cannot Get a DVLA Share Code?

There are several reasons why you may have trouble generating a code. The details you enter must match DVLA records, so errors with your driving licence number, National Insurance number or postcode can cause problems. If you have recently moved house and your licence still shows an old postcode, try the postcode printed on your licence.

You may also run into issues if you have a Northern Ireland licence. DVLA covers Great Britain: England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own service through nidirect for viewing or sharing NI driving licence information. The NI service also allows drivers to create a licence check code, and codes are valid for 21 days.

If you still cannot access the service, GOV.UK lists phone support as another route for getting help with a licence check code.

Is a DVLA Share Code the Same as a Right to Work Share Code?

No. This is a common point of confusion in the UK. A DVLA share code relates to your driving licence record. A right to work share code relates to immigration or employment status checks. They are different services, used for different purposes.

If an employer asks for a share code, check what they mean. If the job involves driving, they may mean a DVLA licence check code. If they are checking your legal right to work in the UK, they mean a Home Office right to work share code.

Is It Safe to Share a DVLA Check Code?

Yes, when used properly. The DVLA share code system is designed to let you control access to your driving information. The code is temporary, time-limited and used for a specific licence check.

Still, you should treat it as personal information. Only share it with trusted organisations, and do not post it publicly. If you are unsure why someone needs it, ask them to explain. A legitimate employer, car hire company or fleet provider should be able to tell you exactly why they need the check.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is generating the code too early. Since the code expires after 21 days, timing matters. Another mistake is giving the wrong postcode. The postcode must match the one held on your driving licence record, not necessarily your current address if you have not updated your licence.

A third mistake is confusing the check code with the driving licence number. They are not the same. The check code is generated online and temporary. Your driving licence number is printed on your licence and remains part of your driver record.

Finally, do not assume one code will cover every request. Since third-party checks may require a fresh code, be prepared to generate another one if needed.

Final Thoughts

A DVLA share code is a simple but important tool for UK drivers. It helps you prove your driving licence status without relying on old paper records or sending unnecessary documents. Whether you are hiring a car, starting a driving job, joining a company fleet or confirming your entitlement to drive, the code provides a secure way to share your official driving record.

The key things to remember are simple: use the official GOV.UK service, keep your driving licence and National Insurance details ready, generate the code close to when it is needed, and only share it with organisations you trust. For most drivers in England, Wales and Scotland, the process is quick and free. For Northern Ireland drivers, the equivalent service is handled separately through nidirect.

When used correctly, a DVLA share code saves time, reduces paperwork and gives both drivers and organisations a clearer way to check driving licence information in the UK.