What does it mean for ACVM customers and their employees?

As of the 8th of June 2015, the DVLA will no longer issue the paper counterpart of the standard photocard driving licence, and any existing counterparts will cease to be a valid form of driving documentation. The date has been pushed back by a number of trade bodies in order that businesses and fleet owners have enough time to review their procedures for checking employees’ driving licences and putting new measures in place. So, what does this mean for you as a business, and how can you check employees’ driving records?

Will this affect my business?

If you manage or own a fleet of vehicles, the likelihood is that yes, some procedures will need to be in place for new recruits to have their driving history checked. Entrusting a new employee with a vehicle should not be entered into without performing the checks that will assure you of their good conduct behind the wheel, and their eligibility to be there.

So how can I check the driving records of new employees?

Even if it is no longer possible to request the paper counterpart of a driving licence from an employee, there are still a number of ways you can check a new driver is licensed to drive, what their endorsements are, if any, and which categories of vehicle they are permitted to drive. Here are some of the most common ways you can check:

• We can help you

  As part of our Risk Management portfolio, Arnold Clark Vehicle Management can check driving licences for your employees, thus saving you time and expense. In partnership with our other risk services, we can help you build a comprehensive risk profile for your fleet. For more information on our driving licence checking service, please call 0845 603 4590 and talk to one of our experts.

• Use the DVLA Driver Entitlement Service

  You can write to the DVLA and request the information you need. In order to find out about their driver entitlement, you’ll need to fill in a D888/1 form (which you can find on the DVLA website), and request that your employee signs it to confirm their permission. The service costs £5, and since it must be applied for by post, it’s not the quickest method of checking.

• Use the Electronic Driver Entitlement Checking Service

  If you need an answer soon, you can check an employee’s driving records via the EDECS, and they will give you the information you need by the next working day. Your company’s accreditation will be checked, and again, you’ll need to pay a small enquiry fee. Bear in mind however that setup costs for EDECS can be prohibitive.

  You can keep up with the latest information requests on EDECS online.

• Call the DVLA

  You can ring the DVLA directly on 0906 139 3837, but you must make sure the employee in question is with you in order that they can validate your enquiry, or that they call beforehand on 0300 790 6801 to let the DVLA know they’re okay with your request.

What about in the future?

Although it’s still in beta, the DVLA has set up a Share My Driving Record service, which would mean employees can, if they choose to, make it easier for employers to check up on their driving history, providing the minimum information required from a driving record to those who wish to see it. There are also new digital services being developed for those businesses that need real-time access to such information, on an Integrated Enquiry Platform.