Licence checks belong on official DVLA services — not random third-party forms that harvest data. Confirming your provisional details early prevents booking errors, test-day refusals, and insurance mismatches.
Why check
- Confirm provisional details before booking theory or practical.
- Check photocard validity and address details match your life today.
- Generate view codes for insurers or employers when required.
- Verify categories and entitlements if returning after a break.
Use GOV.UK
Start from the official DVLA licence information pages on GOV.UK. Have your driving licence number and national insurance number ready where requested.
Bookmark the genuine domain — phishing copies exist around test season.
Step-by-step check
- Open GOV.UK and navigate to DVLA licence services.
- Sign in or use the view service as prompted.
- Review name spelling, address, and expiry dates.
- Update address online if you have moved — do not wait for renewal.
- Save or screenshot details needed for upcoming bookings.
Before booking tests
Typos between DVLA and DVSA bookings block changes and cause stress on test day. Align everything before you pay fees.
After your details check out
Book tests through official DVSA journeys. If the practical date is far off, pair your booking with cancellation monitoring.
FAQ
Can I check someone else’s licence?
Use official employer or insurer check services with proper consent — not unofficial sites.
What if my photo card expired?
Renew through DVLA before test day — expired cards can stop the test.
Does Test Switch store my licence?
Test Switch focuses on cancellation alerts for centres you select — always protect licence details on official sites only.
Keeping records secure
Licence numbers are sensitive. Store screenshots encrypted or in a trusted password manager — not group chats. Only enter details on GOV.UK or DVLA-linked official services.
If you suspect phishing, do not click email links; navigate to GOV.UK manually and sign in from there.
View codes for third parties
Insurers and employers sometimes ask for a view code to check entitlements. Generate codes only when needed and share them through secure channels — they expire for good reason.
After checking status, you are ready to book tests through official DVSA journeys with confidence your photocard will match the database on test day.
Verify on GOV.UK before you commit
DVSA fees, notice periods, and booking rules change. The official GOV.UK driving test pages always override blog posts, forum threads, and instructor folklore. Before you cancel, change, or pay again, read the live guidance and count working days carefully.
Test Switch helps with timing — finding earlier slots through legitimate changes — not with bypassing DVSA policy. Use alerts to act quickly when a cancellation fits your plan, then complete every step on the official site and keep confirmation emails.
Related Test Switch guides
Rules and fees change. Always confirm details on GOV.UK before you book or change a test. Test Switch monitors DVSA cancellations and alerts you when an earlier slot matches your centres.