Before you collect a van from our depot on Tilley Street in Warrington, there is one practical step you need to complete in advance — obtaining your DVLA check code. It takes only a few minutes online, but without it you cannot drive away, so it is worth sorting it out before your hire date rather than on the morning of collection. If you are planning van hire in Warrington and have not done this before, here is exactly what the code is, why we need it, and how to get it quickly.
What the DVLA Check Code Is and Why We Ask for It
When the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was abolished in 2015, all information about endorsements, penalty points, and driving entitlements moved to an online database held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The DVLA check code is a short, unique reference that lets a vehicle hire company like Warrington Van Hire view that information directly, with your permission, without you needing to produce any physical documentation.
We ask every customer for this code because it allows us to confirm that your licence is valid, that you hold the correct category of entitlement for the vehicle you are hiring, and that there are no disqualifications or serious endorsements that would prevent us from renting to you. This is not bureaucracy for its own sake — it is how we keep our fleet safe and ensure that every driver leaving our Cockhedge Shopping Centre depot is properly licensed for the road. Our van hire FAQs cover the other documents and requirements you will need to bring on collection day.
Generating the Code on the DVLA Website
The process is straightforward and takes around five minutes if you have your details to hand. Go to the DVLA’s official view driving licence service at gov.uk and select the option to share your licence information with a third party. You will need to enter your photocard driving licence number, your National Insurance number, and the postcode currently recorded on your licence. Once the system has verified those details, it will generate a unique check code for you to pass on to us.
The code is case-sensitive, valid for 21 days from the point of generation, and can only be used once. That last point is worth paying attention to — do not generate the code weeks before your hire date and assume it will still be usable on collection day. We recommend getting it in the day or two before you are due to collect, or on the morning itself if your hire starts later in the day. Our depot is open Monday to Saturday from 8am until 4pm, so you have plenty of time to generate the code and bring it with you.
What We Can and Cannot See
Once you share your check code with us, we can view the information the DVLA holds about your current driving entitlements and any endorsements on your record. We use this to confirm that you meet our rental criteria. We cannot make changes to your record, store the information beyond what is needed for the hire transaction, or pass it to any third party. The code expires after a single use, so once we have run the check the code is no longer valid, and your driving record is no longer accessible via that reference.
If you have penalty points on your licence, that does not automatically mean you cannot hire from us — the key factors are the nature of the endorsements and whether your licence remains valid. If you are unsure whether your record will affect your eligibility, call us on 01925 396 222 before your hire date and we can advise you without any obligation.
Choosing the Right Vehicle Before You Arrive
While you are preparing for your hire, it is also worth confirming that the van you have booked is appropriate for what you need to carry. Our fleet of over 70 vans covers everything from a compact short wheelbase low roof van for lighter loads and tighter access, through to a extra long wheelbase van with a load area of over 4.3 metres for larger jobs. All vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight can be driven on a standard category B car licence, which covers the entire fleet. Our how to choose the right van size guide walks through the key dimensions and load capacities in practical terms if you are not sure which vehicle suits your job.
No deposit is required on most vehicles, so you will not need to factor that into your budget. When you arrive at the depot, bring your photocard driving licence and your DVLA check code, and we will take care of the rest. Collection is straightforward — the depot sits at the main entrance to Cockhedge Shopping Centre next to Asda, which means there is secure car parking on site if you are leaving your own vehicle while you have the van out.
If You Have Any Questions Before Collection
Most questions about the DVLA check code and the collection process can be resolved with a quick call. If you are hiring from an area served by our depot — including customers travelling in from Runcorn van hire or Widnes van hire territory across the Mersey — the journey to Tilley Street is straightforward via the A557 and A56 routes into central Warrington. Call us on 01925 396 222 or visit our contact us page and we will be happy to help you prepare for a smooth collection.
