If your business involves employees driving for work, whether it’s using a company vehicle or their own, making sure they have the right licence is crucial. One way to do this is by performing a DVLA licence check. But what exactly is this, and why does it matter? Let’s dive in!
What is a DVLA Licence Check?
A check is a quick and easy way to verify the driving licence of someone in the UK. It allows employers to see important details about an employee’s driving history by accessing the DVLA’s (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) database.
The check will tell you whether the employee has a valid licence, what types of vehicles they can drive, if they have any penalty points, or even if they’ve been disqualified from driving.
Why is a DVLA Licence Check Important?
1. Safety First
Keeping your employees and the public safe should be your top priority, especially if driving is part of their job. Conducting a this check helps ensure that your employees are qualified to be on the road and don’t have a history that could put others at risk.
2. Legal Compliance
As an employer, you have a legal duty to make sure your employees have valid driving licences. Failing to do this can lead to big fines, and if there’s an accident, your business could be held responsible. Doing regular checks ensures you’re complying with the law.
3. Insurance Coverage
Most company vehicle insurance policies require drivers to have a valid licence. If you skip this check and an employee isn’t legally allowed to drive, your insurance may not cover any accidents, leaving your business at risk.
4. Protect Your Company’s Reputation
No one wants bad publicity. If an employee has a poor driving record and causes an accident, it could harm your company’s reputation. By performing DVLA licence checks, you show you’re committed to safety and responsible hiring.
How to Perform a DVLA Licence Check
Performing a DVLA licence check is pretty simple, and you can do it in a few ways:
Online DVLA Check
This is the quickest method. You just need the employee’s permission, their driving licence number, and a check code (which they can get from the DVLA website). Third-party services, like ourselves, can also help automate this process saving you hassle and time.
Paper DVLA Check
If online isn’t an option, you can request a paper form from the DVLA. This takes longer, though – up to two weeks to get results.
What Information Will a DVLA Licence Check Provide?
When you perform a DVLA check, you’ll get details like:
- Licence type and issue date
- Expiry date of the licence
- Penalty points or endorsements
- Any disqualifications or revocations
With this information, you can make informed decisions about whether someone is suitable for a driving role.
How Often Should You Perform a DVLA Licence Check?
It’s recommended to perform DVLA licence checks annually, but in some cases, more frequent checks may be necessary. Fleet Service GB automates this process as part of their driver management solution. For example, if an employee accumulates penalty points, you might want to check more often to ensure they’re still safe to drive.
FAQs About DVLA Licence Checks
1. Can I Perform a DVLA Check on a Potential Hire?
No, you can’t conduct a DVLA licence check on someone before they’ve accepted a job offer. Once they’ve agreed to the role, you can ask for their permission to run the check.
2. How Long Does a DVLA Check Take?
If you do it online, results are usually instant. A paper check takes longer, often up to two weeks.
3. What Happens if an Employee Fails the DVLA Check?
If an employee fails a check, you’ll need to investigate why. Depending on the situation, you might need to take disciplinary action or reconsider their driving duties.
4. Can I Perform a DVLA Check on a Non-UK Licence?
No, a check only applies to UK licences. If the driver has a non-UK licence, you’ll need to check their driving records from the country where their licence was issued.
FAQs About Fleet Service GB
1. What Services Does Fleet Service GB Offer?
Fleet Service GB offers a range of services to help businesses manage their vehicle fleets. These include vehicle maintenance maintenance, driver management, driver training, and, of course, DVLA licence checks.
2. How Can Fleet Service GB Help with DVLA Licence Checks?
Fleet Service GB simplifies the process of conducting DVLA licence checks for clients. Their fleet management software hub (Achieve) automates the process, saving time and ensuring they have all the necessary information at their fingertips. This software is a vital part of their driver management solution which includes a registration process called ‘Authority to Drive’. An integral part of which is regular, automated DVLA licence checks.
3. Why Should I Choose Fleet Service GB?
Fleet Service GB is known for its customer service and innovative solutions to driver management and fleet management. They provide cost effective reliable tools that help businesses stay compliant, improve safety, and reduce operational risks.
Final Thoughts: Stay Safe with DVLA Licence Checks
Conducting DVLA licence checks is essential for any business where driving is involved. Not only does it ensure your employees are legally allowed to drive, but it also keeps your business compliant with the law, protects your insurance, and safeguards your reputation.
Using services like Fleet Service GB, you can make the process fast and simple. So, if you’re not doing regular DVLA checks yet, now’s the time to start!
