Ditch the Paper, Embrace the Share Code: Your Friendly Guide to DVLA’s Digital Driver Details
Ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to prove you’re a licensed driver, but your plastic card just wasn’t cutting it? Maybe you’re hiring a car, applying for insurance, or even starting a new job that involves driving? In the old days, you might have scrambled for paper documents, photocopies, or faced frustrating delays. But thankfully, those days are fading fast! Welcome to the world of the DVLA share code – your super convenient, digital key to unlocking and sharing your driving license information.
Think of it like this: your driving license details are now stored safely and securely online with the DVLA. And instead of having to physically present your license every single time, you can generate a unique, temporary code that allows authorized people or organizations to quickly and easily check your driving record online. Pretty neat, right?
In this friendly guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about DVLA share codes. We’ll explain what they are, why they’re so useful, how to get one, and how to use it effortlessly. So, buckle up and let’s dive into the world of digital driving credentials!
What Exactly Is a DVLA Share Code?
Simply put, a DVLA share code is a digitally generated code that allows you to share your driving license information with someone else online. It’s a secure and efficient way of giving consent for another party to view your driving record held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
This code, combined with the last 8 digits of your driving license number, acts like a secure password. When you provide these two pieces of information to someone (like a car hire company or an insurance provider), they can go to the official GOV.UK website and access a snapshot of your driving license details directly from the DVLA database.
Think of it as a temporary digital key – it unlocks your online driving record for a limited time, for a specific purpose, and puts you in control of who gets to see it. It’s a far cry from the days of handing over photocopies that could easily be misplaced or misused!
Why Should You Care About DVLA Share Codes? The Benefits for You!
You might be wondering, “Why should I bother with this share code thing? My plastic license works just fine!” And while your physical license is still essential, the share code offers a range of benefits that make your life as a driver much simpler and more convenient. Let’s explore some key advantages:
- Speed and Convenience: Forget about rummaging through wallets or bags for your license, or waiting for photocopies to be made. Generating a share code online is incredibly fast and takes just minutes. Sharing it is even quicker – you can simply tell someone the code and license number or send it electronically.
- Enhanced Security: Share codes are temporary, meaning they expire after a set period (usually 21 days). This significantly reduces the risk of your driving license information being misused or accessed without your consent. It’s much safer than giving out photocopies of your license which could potentially be used indefinitely.
- Proof of Driving Entitlement: Sometimes, just showing your plastic license isn’t enough. Organisations might need to verify specific details like endorsements, penalty points, or the categories of vehicles you are licensed to drive. The share code provides a clear, up-to-date snapshot of this information directly from the DVLA.
- Essential for Online Services: Many services related to driving, like renting a car online or applying for certain types of insurance online, now require a DVLA share code as part of their verification process. Embracing the share code opens up access to these streamlined digital services.
- Reduced Paperwork: In a world aiming for sustainability, the share code helps reduce paper usage. No more photocopies and physical documents flying around – everything is digital and efficient!
Here are some common situations where you might need a DVLA share code:
- Renting a car or van: Car rental companies often use share codes to quickly verify your driving license status and insurance eligibility.
- Applying for car insurance: Insurers use share codes to assess your driving history and ensure accurate quotes.
- Starting a job that involves driving: Employers often use share codes to verify the driving licenses of potential employees who will be driving as part of their role.
- Proving your driving record abroad: In some cases, when driving in other countries or dealing with international organisations, a share code can be used to provide verifiable proof of your driving license.
Getting Your Hands on a DVLA Share Code: Step-by-Step
Ready to generate your own DVLA share code? It’s surprisingly simple! You’ll need a few things handy before you start:
- Your driving license: You’ll need details from your physical driving license.
- Access to the internet: You’ll need a device connected to the internet (computer, tablet, or smartphone).
- Some personal information: You’ll need to answer some security questions to verify your identity.
Once you’re ready, follow these easy steps:
- Go to the official GOV.UK website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official GOV.UK website for viewing your driving license information. The direct link is usually easily found by searching “DVLA share my license” or similar on any search engine. Always ensure you are on the official GOV.UK website to avoid scams or phishing attempts.
- Start the process: On the DVLA service page, you’ll usually find a button or link that says something like “Start now” or “Get your share code.” Click on this to begin the process.
- Enter your driving license details: You will be prompted to enter information from your driving license. This usually includes:
- Your driving license number
- Your postcode as shown on your driving license
- Your National Insurance number (This is used for verification purposes)
- Answer security questions: You may be asked some security questions to verify your identity. These are usually based on information the DVLA already holds about you.
- View your driving record: Once your details are verified, you’ll be able to view your driving record online. This is a good opportunity to double-check that all the information is correct.
- Get your share code: On the page displaying your driving record, you will find an option to “Get a share code” or similar. Click this button to generate your unique code.
- Note down your share code and license check code: The system will generate two codes:
- The Share Code: This is typically a 6-character alphanumeric code (e.g., ABC1D2). This is the code you give to the person or organisation needing to check your license.
- The License Check Code (Last 8 digits of your license number): You also need to provide the last 8 digits of your driving license number along with the share code.
Important Note: Your share code is only valid for a limited time, usually 21 days. If it expires, you’ll need to generate a new one.
Using Your DVLA Share Code: Sharing Your Driving Info Securely
Now that you have your share code and the last 8 digits of your driving license number, how do you actually use it? It’s straightforward!
Here’s how you share your driving license information:
- Provide both codes: When asked for a DVLA share code and license check code, simply give both the 6-character share code and the last 8 digits of your driving license number to the requesting party.
- They access the DVLA website: The person or organisation you’ve given the codes to will then go to the official DVLA website (usually the same page where you generated the code).
- Enter the codes: They will enter both the share code and the last 8 digits of your driving license number into the designated fields on the website.
- View your information (with your consent): The system will then display a snapshot of your driving license information to them – but only the information that is relevant for verification purposes.
What information is actually shared?
When someone uses your share code and license check code, they will typically be able to view the following information from your driving record:
| Category | Information Included |
|---|---|
| License Details | License number, issue and expiry dates, your name and address as held by DVLA |
| Vehicle Categories | The categories of vehicles you are licensed to drive (e.g., cars, motorcycles, lorries) |
| Endorsements & Points | Any penalty points currently on your license, and the details of the endorsements |
| Disqualifications | Any current driving disqualifications |
Important Note: The share code does not give access to your full driving record. It only shows a summary of the information that is usually needed for verification purposes. It also does not show things like your driving test history or medical information.
Security and Peace of Mind: Your Data is Protected
You might be understandably concerned about the security of your personal information when using digital systems. Rest assured, the DVLA share code system is designed with security in mind:
- Temporary Access: Share codes are temporary and expire after a short period, limiting the window of opportunity for unauthorized access.
- Controlled Access: You are in control of who you give the share code and license check code to. You authorize each instance of information sharing.
- Official DVLA System: The system is managed by the DVLA on the secure GOV.UK platform, which has robust security measures in place to protect your data.
- Limited Information Sharing: Only relevant driving license information is shared – not your entire driving history or sensitive personal details.
By using the official GOV.UK website and keeping your share code and license number secure, you can confidently use the DVLA share code system knowing your information is safe and protected.
DVLA Share Code FAQs: Quick Answers to Your Questions
Still got some questions buzzing around? Let’s address some frequently asked questions about DVLA share codes:
Q: How long is a DVLA share code valid for?
A: Typically, a DVLA share code is valid for 21 days from the date of generation. After this period, it will expire, and you’ll need to generate a new one if needed.
Q: What happens if I lose my share code?
A: If you lose your share code, don’t worry! You can simply generate a new one using the same online process. Remember, each share code is temporary, so generating a new one is quick and easy.
Q: Can I get a share code over the phone or by post?
A: Currently, the most efficient way to get a DVLA share code is online through the GOV.UK website. While the DVLA does offer phone and postal services for general enquiries, the share code system is primarily designed for online access.
Q: What if the share code doesn’t work?
A: Double-check that you have entered both the share code and the last 8 digits of your driving license number correctly. Ensure you are using the official GOV.UK website. If you are still having issues, there might be a temporary technical problem. Wait a short while and try again, or contact the DVLA directly for assistance if the problem persists.
Q: Do I need a share code every time someone wants to check my driving license?
A: Not necessarily for every situation. Your physical driving license is still the primary proof of your driving entitlement in many cases. However, for specific situations like car hire, insurance applications, and employment checks (as mentioned earlier), a share code is often required for online verification and to access up-to-date information directly from the DVLA.
Q: Can someone use my share code after it expires?
A: No. Once a share code expires after its validity period (usually 21 days), it becomes inactive and cannot be used to access your driving record.
Driving into the Digital Future with DVLA Share Codes
The DVLA share code is a fantastic example of how digital tools are making everyday tasks simpler and more secure. It puts you in control of your driving license information, offering a fast, efficient, and secure way to share your driving credentials when needed.
By understanding how to generate and use your share code, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the modern, increasingly digital world of driving. So, next time you need to prove your driving license, ditch the paper and embrace the power of the share code – it’s your friendly digital driving companion!