Knowing how to spot a fake driving licence in the UK is very important. Staff using a fake driving licence or ID is a serious issue for fleet businesses and businesses that require employees to drive for work purposes. Businesses that employ drivers have an important responsibility to ensure that their drivers are legally able to drive in the UK.
For this reason, all employees driving licences should be thoroughly checked to ensure they are not fake. If you employ a driver that has provided a fake driving licence and they have been involved in an accident while driving a business vehicle, senior management may be criminally liable for any accidents that result in death or serious injury.
In this article, we look at how to spot a fake driving licence in the UK and what is the key give away when examining a driving licence.
How to check if a driving licence is fake in the UK
UK driving licences come with easily identifiable information to check whether a driver licence is fake. The below are useful tips on how to spot a fake driving licence:
1. Check the Overall Quality
Genuine driving licences are produced to a high standard, using quality materials and precise printing techniques. When examining a licence, look for:
Poor Print Quality: Blurry text, fuzzy images, or uneven lines can indicate a counterfeit licence. Genuine licences have sharp, clear text and images.
Material Quality: A real driving licence is made from durable plastic, not flimsy material. If the card feels too thin or flexible, it may be a fake.
2. Examine the Holograms and Watermarks
UK driving licences incorporate holograms and watermarks that are difficult to replicate. To spot a fake, pay attention to:
Holographic Image: The genuine licence has a holographic image that shifts when tilted under light. Check that the hologram moves smoothly and that the images are sharp.
Watermarks: Hold the licence up to the light to see the watermark, which should be clear and consistent. Fake licences often have poorly replicated watermarks that look blurry or uneven.
3. Verify the Photo
The photo on a driving licence should meet strict criteria and be consistent with the individual’s appearance. Look out for:
Photo Quality: The image should be clear, without any signs of tampering or pixelation. Blurred or distorted photos could indicate a fake.
Photo Consistency: Ensure the photo matches the person presenting the licence. Compare the facial features carefully.
4. Inspect the Microtext and Fine Print
UK driving licences include microtext—a small, finely printed text that is difficult to reproduce. To check this:
Use a Magnifying Glass: Genuine licences have microtext that is legible under magnification. If the text appears as a series of dots or is unreadable, the licence might be fake.
Examine the Fine Print: Look at the smaller details on the licence, such as the dates and codes. Inconsistencies or spelling errors are red flags.
5. Check the Licence Number
The licence number is unique and follows a specific format. Verify the number by:
Comparing with Known Formats: The UK driving licence number has a particular structure, starting with the first five letters of the surname followed by a combination of digits and letters. If the format is incorrect, it’s likely a fake.
Running an Online Check: If you have concerns, you can verify the licence number through official channels to see if it matches the driver’s details.
6. Inspect the Signature
The signature on the licence should match the person presenting it. Check for:
Signature Quality: A genuine signature should look natural, not printed or stamped. If the signature seems off, ask the individual to sign something in front of you for comparison.
7. Check for Expiry Dates and Issue Details
Pay attention to the issue and expiry dates, as well as any endorsements or restrictions. Look out for:
Correct Issue and Expiry Dates: Fake licences might have unrealistic or incorrect dates. Verify that the dates align with the person’s age and driving history.
Endorsements: Ensure that any endorsements listed on the licence match what you know about the person’s driving record. A lack of expected endorsements could be suspicious.
8. Compare Against a Known Genuine Licence
If possible, compare the questionable licence with a known genuine one. This comparison can help you spot differences in:
Layout and Design: Ensure the layout, colors, and design elements are identical.
Font and Spacing: Even minor inconsistencies in font style or text spacing can indicate a fake.
9. Use Technology
There are tools and apps designed to help verify the authenticity of driving licences. These tools can scan the licence and check its details against a database to confirm if it’s genuine.
UK driving licences are made with unique designs that make it difficult to copy and forge. It is not enough now to simply take a copy of the driver's licence without performing thorough checks that show whether the ID is fake or not.
What should a legitimate UK driver’s licence contain?
UK driving licences are made with unique designs that make it difficult to copy and forge. It is not enough now to simply take a copy of the driver's licence without performing thorough checks that show whether the ID is fake or not.
When running checks on driver’s licence, a real and legitimate UK driver’s licence should contain the following:
- Driver number
- A first name, surname, date and place of birth
- Drivers signature
- Drivers address
- Date of licence issue, photo expiry and issuing authority
- Valid photograph (black and white on newer photocards)
- Entitlement categories
- Hologram of a steering wheel over the driver’s photograph which ‘turns’ as you move the card
- Holographic images on the front
- Pictograms on the reverse
- A green/gold steering wheel image on the reverse
- Information codes
- Complex pattern as the background
If you are concerned whether an ID is fake, you can check the driver licence number or ask for a check code from the driver to do a more thorough search online, using the DVLA website.
Are European licences valid in the UK?
They are valid, but if you employ drivers that are from the EU living in the UK, they can apply to exchange their original drivers’ licence to a UK one, and they will not need to retake their test. Once complete you can then run the usual checks on the licence to validate that it's real.
As the UK has recently left the EU, these rules may change. You can check the government website for any updated information and guidelines.
What are the risks
Employing drivers with a fake licence is not only illegal, but it can also ruin your reputation, cause more harm to other road users and make it hard to convict them for any felonies.
If you employ workers with fake documents, you can be sent to jail for five years and pay an unlimited fine if found guilty of employing someone where their papers were incorrect or false, this is why it’s very important to thoroughly check all of your driver’s licences. Not only will it help stop fraud, but it will also bring up any previous convictions.
What to do if you come across a fake driver’s licence
If you ever find a fake licence when running checks on your employees, then you must deal with it correctly.
You should report it to the police immediately. The person in question may already be driving using the fake licence which could be hazardous for other road users, and it may also mean that they could apply to another company using the same fake ID.
To protect your business and others, you should secure the fake driver’s licence and hand it over to the police station where they can then investigate it further.
Other than verifying licence checks with the DVLA, there are other software tools you can use to check for fake driver's licence in the UK. These tools can identify fake documents including driving licences and passports that can protect your business from fraud.
If an accident occurs and your driver is using a fake driving licence, not only could you be in trouble with the law, but it may also impact your fleet insurance. Following the tips and advice provided above you will be able to spot any fake licences and prevent legal or insurance issues. If you require any further advice, please get in touch.
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