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Proving Your Entitlement To Drive

Changes to driving licences came into effect on 8th June 2015 so that driving licences now consists of simply the photocard. We’ve compiled the below information to help you navigate these changes.

Endorsements, penalty points and driving bans will no longer be recorded on driving licences, but will instead only be accessible online.

For insurance purposes, before your first driving lesson your Instructor is required to check your full licence details to see the vehicles you’re allowed to drive, and to check for penalty points and disqualifications.

The consequences for not checking the above are very serious.

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YOU MUST FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS BEFORE THE 1ST LESSON

You’ll need to generate a code which will allow your instructor to check your licence details:

You will need:

  • Your driving licence
  • Your national insurance number
  • Your home postcode

Go to this website:

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Step 1: Enter your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode as shown on your driving licence.

Step 2: Click on “share licence information”. This creates a code. The code is case sensitive, can only be used once, and is only valid for 21 days.

Step 3: Pass the code to your Instructor together with the last eight digits of your driving licence number. In advance of your first driving lesson your Instructor will view your licence details online. Be aware that your Instructor is encouraged to save a screenshot as evidence of the licence entitlement check.

Step 4: Please note, you should also produce your photocard licence for ID inspection on your first lesson. It is your responsibility to provide your Instructor with proof that you have a valid licence to drive, before the commencement of your first lesson. If you fail to provide this proof, your Instructor is entitled to refuse to conduct the lesson but still charge you.

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