Your driver’s guide to driving licence checks

Driving Licence Checks: What every employee driver needs to know

An employee’s guide to driving licence checks,  by Stephen Buckley, Sales Manager – Fleetmaxx Solutions, Burnley

Whether you’re driving a company car or using your own vehicle for work purposes, your employer has a duty of care to ensure that you’re legally qualified and safe to drive.

Part of this responsibility involves checking your driving licence. It’s not just a formality – it’s a key element of fleet compliance, risk management, and keeping everyone on the road safe.

This guide will explain what a driving licence check involves, why it’s important, and what it means for you as a driver.

Can my employer check my driving licence?

Yes – your employer can check your driving licence, but they’ll need your permission first.

To complete a check, they’ll require specific details from you, such as your driving licence number and a consent code that allows them to access your DVLA record.

These checks are essential for employers who provide company vehicles or require staff to drive as part of their job. It helps them confirm that you’re properly licensed to drive the type of vehicle you’re using, whether that’s a car, van, or HGV.

It’s also part of their legal obligation to ensure that anyone driving on company business is both qualified and safe to do so — not just when you start employment, but throughout your time with the company.

Why will my driving licence be checked?

Employers must take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their workforce. When driving forms part of your role, this includes verifying your entitlement to drive.

Even if you mostly use a company vehicle for personal or commuting purposes, your employer still has the right — and responsibility — to check your licence.

It may seem like an administrative task, but it’s part of a wider compliance and safety process that helps prevent incidents and ensures the business remains compliant with UK driving laws and insurance requirements.

What does a driving licence check involve?

The primary purpose of a licence check is to confirm that you hold a valid driving licence.

Checks also verify whether you’re entitled to drive certain vehicles — for example:

• Cars with manual or automatic transmissions

• Vans or minibuses requiring specific categories

• HGVs requiring specialist licences

The check will also reveal any endorsements or penalty points on your licence. Employers don’t use this information to penalise you but to identify potential risks and ensure the business remains compliant.

Some may offer additional driver training if there’s a pattern of similar offences across the workforce, such as speeding or mobile phone use.

What happens if I have points on my driving licence?

If you have penalty points, your employer will be made aware of them when conducting checks.

This doesn’t necessarily mean disciplinary action. Most companies use this data proactively — for example, introducing speed awareness courses or refresher training sessions if several employees have received similar penalties.

The goal is to promote safer driving habits, not to punish drivers.

How Can I Check If My Driving Licence Is Valid?

You can check your own licence easily through the Government’s View Driving Licence portal.

This service allows you to:

• View which vehicles you’re entitled to drive

• Check for any endorsements or disqualifications

• Generate a share code so your employer can view your record securely

This is particularly useful if you need to check whether expired points have been removed or if you’re unsure of your entitlement for certain vehicle types.

How will my driver’s licence be checked?

There are two main ways employers perform licence checks:

1. One-off checks – You generate a unique share code (valid for 21 days) through the DVLA’s online service and provide it to your employer, along with the last eight digits of your licence number.

2. Ongoing automated checks – Many companies prefer to use an automated checking service that connects directly with the DVLA. You provide consent once, and the system can run checks automatically for up to three years.

At Fleetmaxx Solutions, we work with our trusted compliance partners, including CheckedSafe, to offer businesses a simple, cost-effective, and DVLA-integrated licence checking solution from just £1.60 per check.

This automated approach ensures compliance, reduces admin, and flags any changes to a driver’s status immediately.

How often should a driving licence check be performed?

We generally recommend that businesses check employee driving licences at least once a year.

However, for roles where driving is a key responsibility — such as sales, logistics, or fleet operations — it’s best practice to carry out checks quarterly.

Regular checks mean that if a driver’s licence becomes invalid or new penalty points are issued, the employer can act quickly to manage the situation safely and responsibly.

Stephen Buckley, Sales Manager

Fleetmaxx Solutions, Burnley