Some van hire companies ask for a driving licence check code, but many do not. When collecting a vehicle from a hire company many only ask to see your photocard licence or your pre-31 March 2000 paper licence, but some also want to check whether you have any penalty points. If the company wants to check your record, it may ask for a check code or a printout of your licence details.
Why the code exists
On 8 June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was abolished. Instead, you can now view all your up-to-date driving licence information using DVLA's View Driving Licence service. Because the paper counterpart has been abolished, a hire company that wants to check your penalty points may ask for a check code, a printout, or a verbal check if you give permission by phone.
How to create a check code
The code is generated by the driver, not the hire company. Go to View Driving Licence. Click on the 'Share your licence information' tab, then the 'Create a code' button. You will now be shown a code that you can pass on to your hire company.
You will need three details to get into the service. Your driving licence number, your National Insurance number, and the postcode on your driving licence. The service can be used if your licence was issued in England, Wales or Scotland. Northern Ireland licences use a separate service. You can only use the NI service if you have a Northern Ireland driving licence. If you have a licence from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Great Britain go to the gov.uk service.
The code has a short life. The check code will be valid for 21 days. If it expires before you collect the van, you can generate a new one. Once the code has been used, a further check needs a new code.
What if you cannot get a code in time
The hire company can also check your record online at the "check someone's driving licence information" service on GOV.UK, using the code you supply. If a customer arrives without a code or a printout they can call DVLA on 0300 790 6801 and leave permission for their driving record to be checked verbally by a nominated hire company. Ring the company before you travel to find out whether it will accept this route.
If you are booking a van through a local supplier, compare van hire firms in London and ask each one which type of check it accepts before you book, rather than at the counter.
Checklist before you collect the van
- Confirm which licence you hold. GB licences use the GOV.UK service, and Northern Ireland licences use the nidirect service.
- Ask the hire company whether it wants a check code, a printout of your licence details, or only your photocard.
- Have your driving licence number, National Insurance number and licence postcode to hand before you start.
- Generate the code shortly before collection, because it expires after 21 days.
- Share the code only with the company you are hiring from, and only generate it yourself. It's a criminal offence to obtain someone else's personal information without their permission.
Finding the right hire firm
The licence check is one step in a wider decision. If you need a larger or specialist vehicle, browse specialist vehicle hire options on GetBrent before you narrow down a supplier.
Check the licence check requirements with each company you shortlist, and generate your code in good time for your collection date.
