In June 2015 the paper counterpart of the driving licence was abolished and driving licences now consist of just the photo card.

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 and this procedure is in place to protect you, your instructor and the general public.

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 one: enter your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode as shown on your driving licence.

Step two: 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 three: 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 on line. Be aware that your Instructor may save a screenshot as evidence of the licence entitlement check.

Please note you should also produce your photo card 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.