A DVLA driving licence check costs an employer nothing if the driver shares a check code from GOV.UK, or roughly £1.60 to £5.50 per check through a licence checking provider, based on prices published in November 2026. The cheaper route needs the driver to do something before every check. The provider route needs the driver to sign a declaration once, and then checks run on a schedule.
This guide covers both routes, what providers charge, what a year of checks costs for a typical fleet, and what to compare beyond the price per check. For how checks work and what they show, see our driver licence checks guide.
The free route: a DVLA check code
Any driver can create a check code on GOV.UK's View or share your driving licence information service. They give the code to their employer with the last 8 characters of their licence number, and the employer sees the licence record online. The code lasts 21 days and works once.
It costs nothing, but it is not free in time:
- Someone chases every driver, every time. Drivers forget, codes expire, and the check slips.
- The result is a web page. You must save or print it yourself as evidence.
- There is no schedule. Nothing reminds you when the next check is due, or tightens it when a driver picks up points.
Check codes suit a handful of drivers, or one-off checks such as an agency driver's first day. For a fleet checked every quarter, the admin cost overtakes any provider fee quickly.
What licence checking providers charge
Providers connect to the DVLA's Access to Driver Data service. The driver signs an electronic declaration once, valid for up to 3 years or until they leave, and the provider can then check their licence without asking again.
Published prices we found in November 2026:
| Provider | Published price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CheckedSafe | £1.60 per check | Pay as you go |
| The Miles Consultancy | From £2.50 per check | "No added fees" |
| RoadTech (CheckMaster) | £4.95 per check | Pay as you go, UK licences only |
| Personnel Checks | £5.50 per check | Listed as a single check |
Many providers do not publish prices and quote by fleet size, and some charge per driver per year instead of per check. Check whether a quoted price includes VAT, because not every price page says.
What a year of checks costs
The number of checks matters more than the price of one. Most fleets check every driver at least twice a year, and more often as points build up. For a 100-driver fleet:
| Check frequency | Checks per year | At £1.60 | At £2.50 | At £4.95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Every 6 months | 200 | £320 | £500 | £990 |
| Every 3 months | 400 | £640 | £1,000 | £1,980 |
| Monthly | 1,200 | £1,920 | £3,000 | £5,940 |
In practice, most drivers sit on the slowest schedule and a few, with more points, are checked monthly. A schedule set by points costs less than checking everyone at the highest frequency, and focuses checks where the risk is.
What to compare beyond the price per check
- Driver CPC and tachograph cards. Lorry and bus operators need these expiry dates too. Ask whether they come with the licence check or cost extra.
- Failed and unmatched lookups. A check can fail because the driver's name, address or licence number does not match DVLA records. Ask whether you pay for these and who follows them up.
- Chasing drivers to sign. Without a signed declaration there is no check. Ask how the provider reaches drivers (text, email, WhatsApp) and whether reminders are automatic.
- Frequency rules. Can you set your own bands by penalty points, or is it one schedule for everyone?
- Non-GB and agency drivers. The DVLA holds no record for foreign licences. Ask how the provider handles them. See our guide to checking non-GB licences.
- Evidence. Can you export the full record of checks and decisions when an insurer, auditor or the DVSA asks?
- Minimums and contracts. Annual fees, minimum volumes and notice periods can outweigh a low headline price.
The cost of not checking
A driver who keeps driving after a ban, or without the right category, puts the business at risk as well as the driver. Insurers expect licences to be checked, and HSE guidance expects employers to manage the risks of driving for work. A few pounds per driver per quarter is small next to an uninsured claim or an investigation where the employer cannot show it checked.
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How Fleevo prices and runs licence checks
Fleevo checks driving licences against DVLA records for every driver, including agency and grey fleet drivers. Drivers get a link by text, WhatsApp or email to sign the declaration on their phone, and reminders go out automatically until they do. Checks then repeat on a schedule set by penalty points, which you can change, so drivers with clean licences are not checked as often as drivers close to a ban.
Each check shows licence status, entitlements, points and bans, and photocard, Driver CPC and tacho card expiry dates. Failed checks and drivers who are not allowed to drive go on a to-do list until someone resolves them, and a CSV export gives auditors the full record. Licence checks sit in the same platform as Fleevo's fuel and maintenance cost control. Explore Fleevo driver licence checks, or talk to us for pricing.
DVLA licence check cost FAQs
How much does a DVLA licence check cost?
A check code from GOV.UK is free. Licence checking providers published prices between £1.60 and £5.50 per check in November 2026, and some charge per driver per year instead.
Does the DVLA charge employers for licence checks?
Not for the check code route, which is free. Providers connected to the DVLA's Access to Driver Data service charge employers for each check.
How long is a DVLA check code valid?
21 days, and it can be used once.
How long does a driver's declaration last?
Up to 3 years, or until the driver leaves the company, whichever comes first.
How many licence checks does a fleet need per year?
At least 2 per driver for most fleets, rising to 4 or 12 for drivers with more penalty points. Lorry and bus drivers are usually checked at least every 3 months.
Is a cheaper check always better value?
Not always. Compare what is included: Driver CPC and tacho card checks, failed lookups, chasing drivers to sign, and the evidence you can export.
Related: driver licence checks guide, grey fleet licence checks, checking non-GB licences.
Prices are as published by each provider in November 2026 and may change. Confirm current prices with the provider.
Sources
- GOV.UK, View or share your driving licence information: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
- CheckedSafe, Driving licence checks: https://checkedsafe.com/driving-licence-checks
- The Miles Consultancy, Driving licence checks: https://themilesconsultancy.com/driving-licence-checks/
- RoadTech, CheckMaster: https://roadtech.co.uk/products/checkmaster/
- Personnel Checks, Pricing: https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/pricing
- HSE, Driving and riding safely for work: https://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/employer/index.htm
