Jaama has launched the third generation of its Electronic Driver Services (EDS) module following changes by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to the rules on revoking driving licences.

EDS is a risk management tool and a driver information portal within Jaama’s Key2 Vehicle Management system. It was initially developed in conjunction with a number of fleets already using the online fleet management technology including Manheim and SIG.

Last year, version two was launched to enable employees who drive their own vehicles on business - the so-called ‘grey fleet’ - to record documentation online.

The launch of EDS 3 follows advice from Jaama that employers should be checking the validity of employees’ driving licences as frequently as every month after the DVLA introduced new rules in relation to drivers who have been informed by the courts that they have failed to surrender their licences to have penalty points added.

Drivers who receive penalties from the courts or the fixed penalty offices for offences that do not result in disqualification are required to surrender their current valid driving licence for the endorsement to be added. However, the DVLA says that many drivers fail to surrender their driving licence and therefore it can be revoked as a last resort.

Historically, the law allowed a ‘concessionary period’ of 12 months during which the individual may continue to drive. If, at the end of the ‘concessionary period’, the driver failed to surrender their licence their entitlement to drive was removed.

However, the DVLA along with the Home Office reviewed the ‘concessionary period’ and it has been cut to just four weeks. Drivers who fail to surrender their licence for endorsement within 28 days of notification of court conviction will have it revoked.

Jaama managing director Jason Francis said: “This is a very significant change. The change in DVLA procedures means that the only option to ensure compliance is for employers to complete driving licence checks every four weeks.

“Our EDS software links directly to the DVLA so the improvements we have made to our system enable drivers to seamlessly update their licence records online and, if necessary, apply for a new licence.

“It is clear that with the change in the revocation rules that more employees who drive on business are at risk of having their licences revoked by the DVLA as a result of receiving penalty points. We have therefore made the process of them contacting the DVLA as straight-forward as possible.”
 

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