Why do insurance companies check your driving licence?

When you are issued a new policy, it’s common for insurance companies to request copies of your documentation. You’ve probably had this request when sorting out your cover in the past, however, you may have been left wondering exactly what purpose this serves.

While providing a copy of your driving licence and other documents may be a minor hassle, insurers have a legitimate reason for carrying out a DVLA licence check. In fact, ensuring all policyholders provide full and accurate information regarding past convictions and penalties can actually save you money.

In the event of an accident, anyone found to have withheld information from their insurance provider runs the risk of their claim being invalid. 

Validating the accuracy of the information provided reduces the likelihood of this happening, with savings that can be passed down directly to you.

What checks will your insurer carry out?

Calculating an insurance quote can be a complicated process, and there are lots of different factors that insurers will take into account before issuing a new policy. These include previous convictions, details about your vehicle and your entitlement to drive.

This information is usually gathered by asking a few quick questions prior to issuing a quote, such as the type of car you’ll be insuring and how many miles you drive per year. Some providers may go the extra step and carry out a driving licence check with the DVLA too.

Every insurer requires permission from the driver before carrying out these checks, so if they haven’t asked you before issuing a quote, it will most likely not have been part of their process.

Why do insurance companies check with DVLA?

The Driver and Vehicles Licensing Agency (DVLA) has all driving licence data, including the points on your licence. This is why insurance companies check with the DVLA, as it’s efficient and accurate. 

Exactly what DVLA checks the insurer carries out is dependent on your chosen company. The information provided typically includes:

Your entitlement to drive
Penalty points and convictions
Past disqualifications
The type of licence held
The length of time the licence has been held for.

Why do insurance companies ask for your driving licence number?

Not all car insurance providers will require a full copy of your licence, instead asking for just the number. This method may be favoured in order to reduce the risk of fraud during the process. 

How to check your driving licence for convictions

Checking a UK driving licence for previous convictions is super simple, but will help you out a lot. All documentation can be accessed online via the government website, allowing you to view your driving record easily.

To view your licence online, you’ll need your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode, then you’re good to go.

Can Adrian Flux cover drivers who have a driving conviction?

At Adrian Flux, we understand that past offences don’t necessarily reflect your future. While many insurers penalise drivers with past convictions, we can offer competitive quotes to drivers with previous motoring offences, including drink driving and other alcohol-related convictions.

We can help to arrange you an insurance policy no matter the severity of your convictions and we can offer many affordable policies for convicted drivers. We’ll cover you even if you have existing points on your licence, or have been previously banned or temporarily disqualified from driving. 

To find out more about getting car insurance as a convicted driver, check out our dedicated convicted drivers page to see what your options are.

You can also call our advisors on 0800 369 8590, or book a free call back at a time that’s convenient for you.