• I have two first names and my name does not match my driving licence number

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Driving licence name mismatch when you have two first names.

If you have two first names (or a double-barrelled surname), you may see an error on your Background Screening form saying your driving licence number doesn’t match the name you entered.

This happens because the DVLA builds part of your licence number from your name. 

When someone has two first names (or a double-barrelled surname), the DVLA often splits them, treating:

• the first as your actual first name, and

• the second as a middle name,

even if you usually use both together as your full first name.

As a result, the name encoded in your driving licence number doesn’t match the name you’ve entered on the form, and the system flags a mismatch.

Example

If your real name is Anna Marie Smith, and both “Anna Marie” are your first names, you might enter:

• First name(s): Anna Marie

• Surname: Smith

But DVLA may store it as:

• First name: Anna

• Middle name: Marie

• Surname: Smith

Your licence number is generated using Anna + Marie, not Anna Marie as a single first name.

When the Background Screening form compares the name you typed with the name encoded in the licence number, it sees a mismatch and triggers the error.

What to do

1. When the form asks if you hold a valid driving licence, select ‘No’.
   (You’re not saying your licence is invalid — only that it can’t be used as ID for this check.)

2. For your criminal record check, choose another ID document, such as a passport or birth certificate.

Optional: Contact DVLA

If you want your licence to reflect your full first names correctly in future applications, you can ask the DVLA to update it. This can help prevent the same mismatch from happening again.

RELATED CONTENT

More information on UK Driving licences can be found here:
INS57P Information on driving licences (publishing.service.gov.uk)

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