- The holder signs in with their licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode.
- A check code lasts 21 days and works once; the checker needs the last 8 characters of the licence number.
- Obtaining someone else’s information without permission is a criminal offence, per GOV.UK.
What sellers say
The claim comes in several forms: “registered in the system”, “verifiable on the DVLA website”, “we have agents inside DVLA”. Which? recorded sellers claiming a “direct system registration process”. They send screenshots of a licence page or a licence number as proof. None of this is evidence, and DVLA has no service that adds a person to its records for a fee.
How a real check works
| Who checks | What they need | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| The licence holder | Licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode on the licence | Vehicles they can drive, penalty points, disqualifications; can create a check code |
| An employer or hire firm | The last 8 characters of the licence number and a check code from the driver, used within 21 days and only once | The driving record, with the driver’s permission |
Both services are on GOV.UK: view or share your licence and check someone’s driving information. The viewing service applies only to licences issued in England, Wales or Scotland.
Why a bought licence cannot pass
Three things have to line up at once for the real check: a licence number DVLA holds, the holder’s own National Insurance number and licence postcode, and a code created from the signed-in record. A seller can invent a number and design a card, but cannot create the signed-in record behind it. A number that looks real may also belong to a real driver, which creates its own problems for that person.
Check the claim yourself in two minutes
- Ask the seller for the code, not a screenshot.
- Ask for the holder’s licence postcode and National Insurance number only if you are the holder yourself; never enter another person’s details without their permission.
- If a real driver’s details are not recognised, DVLA can be phoned on 0300 083 0013 with permission, or form D888/1 posted with £5.
- If the seller cannot produce a working code, treat the licence as false.
Myth and fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “A screenshot of the DVLA page proves it.” | The real page sits behind a sign-in that needs details only the holder holds, so a screenshot proves nothing. |
| “A number that checks out is real.” | A number can belong to someone else. |
| “DVLA can add a record later.” | DVLA creates a record when it issues a licence to the applicant after the required tests or an exchange. |
What to do
If a seller makes this claim, do not pay. If you already have, read what to do now. For the full picture of the scam, see can you buy a driving licence in the UK?
Frequently asked questions
Can a driving licence be registered on the DVLA database after you buy it?
No. DVLA creates a record only when it issues a licence to you after the required tests or an exchange.
How can an employer check my licence?
With the last 8 characters of your licence number and a check code you generate. The code lasts 21 days and works once.
Is the licence number on a seller’s card proof it is real?
No. A number can be copied from a real driver or invented. Only the official check against DVLA records counts.
What do I need to view my own licence record?
Your licence number, your National Insurance number and the postcode on your licence.
What if a genuine licence is not recognised?
Phone DVLA on 0300 083 0013 with the driver’s permission and the required details, or post form D888/1 with £5.
Is it an offence to look at someone’s record?
GOV.UK says it is a criminal offence to obtain someone else’s personal information without their permission.