- A UK driving licence is an identity document under section 7 of the Identity Documents Act 2010.
- A licence check uses the last 8 characters of the licence number and a code the holder creates; the code works once and lasts 21 days.
- In a Warwickshire case reported in October 2018, counterfeit cards sold for up to £30.99 each and the maker received 3 years 8 months.
Two kinds of “fake”
Novelty or “scannable” cards are sold for ID checks at pubs, clubs and shops. They are still false identity documents. Counterfeits sold as “real” licences are marketed to people who want to drive; the seller claims the card is registered with DVLA. It is not. Both kinds are offered by the same networks and the same adverts.
Why a fake does not survive a check
The official check does not read the card at all. An employer or hire firm asks the driver to create a check code on GOV.UK, then enters the last 8 characters of the licence number plus the code. The service shows the entitlements, penalty points and disqualifications held on the record. The code can be used once, within 21 days. If there is no record, the driver cannot create the code, and the check cannot even start. That is why a fake can look perfect and still fail. If a real driver’s details are not recognised, DVLA can be phoned on 0300 083 0013 (Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm) with the driver’s permission, or form D888/1 can be sent by post with £5.
What it costs if you are caught
| Area | Position |
|---|---|
| Legal | Having a false identity document without reasonable excuse: up to 2 years (section 6). With improper intention, such as using it to drive or to get a job: up to 10 years (section 4). Both are ceilings, not typical sentences. |
| Driving | Driving on a road otherwise than in accordance with a licence is an offence under section 87 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, as is causing or permitting another person to. |
| Work | Where a licence is a condition of the job, the first official check ends the matter. |
| Identity | The seller kept your ID photos, signature and address. |
A documented case
Warwickshire County Council reported on 26 October 2018 that a Hinckley man was sentenced to three years and eight months at Warwick Crown Court after one count under the Fraud Act 2006. His stock included driving licences, GCSE and A-level certificates, a PhD certificate, first aid certificates, competence cards and security licences, at up to £30.99 per item. Trading Standards started from a complaint by a genuine awarding body. An investigator from the Construction Industry Training Board bought a counterfeit competence card, and officers then made undercover purchases and raided the premises. The judge described the conduct as “fraud to foster more fraud”, according to the council. The maker also faces the fraud ceiling of 10 years on indictment under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006.
Myth and fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “It is only a novelty card.” | A card made to look like a real licence is a false document whatever the seller calls it. The Act defines identity documents by what they are, not by the label. |
| “Good fakes pass scanners.” | The record, not the card, is what the official check reads. |
| “Nobody checks.” | Authorities do check: in the Warwickshire case the trail began with an awarding body’s complaint. |
Where the adverts appear
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp groups and stand-alone websites. The full pattern is on buying a driving licence, and the chat stage on the WhatsApp licence scam.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fake driving licence illegal in the UK?
Having a false identity document without reasonable excuse can be an offence under section 6 of the Identity Documents Act 2010, and having one with improper intention under section 4. A UK driving licence counts as an identity document under section 7.
Can a fake driving licence pass a check?
No. The official check reads DVLA’s record, using the last 8 characters of the licence number and a single-use code the holder creates. A card with no record behind it cannot produce a code.
Is a novelty fake licence for ID checks legal?
A card made to look like a real licence is a false document. Do not rely on a seller saying it is ‘for novelty use’.
What happens to people who make fake licences?
In a case reported by Warwickshire County Council in October 2018, a man who made counterfeit licences and certificates was jailed for three years and eight months after a Fraud Act 2006 charge.
How can an employer check a licence properly?
Ask the driver to create a check code on GOV.UK, then use the check driving information service with the last 8 characters of the licence number. The code works once and lasts 21 days.
Who do I ask if a real driver’s details are not recognised?
DVLA on 0300 083 0013, with the driver’s permission and the required details, or by post with form D888/1 and a £5 payment.
Sources and official links
- Identity Documents Act 2010, section 7 (definition of identity document)
- Identity Documents Act 2010, section 6
- Identity Documents Act 2010, section 4
- Fraud Act 2006, section 1 (penalties)
- Road Traffic Act 1988, section 87
- GOV.UK: check someone's driving information
- GOV.UK: view or share your driving licence information
- Warwickshire County Council: producer of counterfeit driving licences and exam certificates sentenced
- Which?: ads for fake driving licences found on Facebook and Instagram