Proving Your Entitlement to
Drive with FDT UK
Before your first driving lesson with FDT UK, it’s a legal necessity to prove your entitlement to drive. This involves obtaining a specific code from the DVLA.
Understanding Your DVLA Check Code
A DVLA check code is an individual digital key issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. It is to enable approved parties, such as your FDT UK driving instructor, to efficiently and safely check your driving licence information online. This system replaced the paper counterpart licence in 2015 to render penalty points, disqualifications, and bans to drive visible only via this digital check.
Supplying this code is essential for insurance and for complying with the law. It verifies your licence validity and permitted vehicle types (manual or automatic) and confirms that no restrictions or disqualifications are in place which will stop you from driving. Your instructor cannot continue your lesson legally if this check is not supplied.
Getting Your Check Code: Easy as It Gets
To receive your DVLA check code, go to the GOV.UK website. You’ll require:
- Your driving licence number.
- Your National Insurance number.
- Your postcode is given on your driving licence.
Do the following:
- Put your information on the GOV.UK website.
- Choose “share licence information” to create the code.
- The code is 21 days’ expiry, case-sensitive, and single use only.
Pass this code on, together with the final eight digits of your driving licence number, to your FDT UK instructor. Your details can be seen by them online, and they can save a screenshot for their records.
Important: Produce this code only when your instructor asks you to do so because of its limited lifespan.
Get Your Code!
Find your nearest instructor with FDT UK and book your first lesson. Use this guide to generate your code.
FAQs
You may still be able to get your check code if you don't have a National Insurance number by posting a D796 application form from the GOV.UK website. This method is longer, so be sure to allow sufficient time.
No, the DVLA does not provide check code creation by telephone. You can only get it online through GOV.UK or postal application if you do not have a National Insurance number.
