Using a risk management provider
If risk management is outsourced it might make sense to include driver licence checking in the package.
Many risk management/driver training providers offer licence checking and will have the necessary expertise. On the flipside, providers will charge a fee for each licence check.
Licence Bureau specialises in licence checking and gives companies several options for obtaining driver consent (DVLA form D796).
Malcolm Maycock, managing director at Licence Bureau, says: “The methodology for driver enrolment is customer-led; they know their drivers and what will work for them. One size does not fit all.
“So whether a company want online production of the form, or to issue prepopulated forms or to post out to their homes, a risk management provider such as Licence Bureau is able to do this.”
Once the form is completed, signed, dated and returned, Licence Bureau undertake the check with DVLA and or DVANI and then provide 24/7 web-based risk reporting, as well as relevant weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting and recheck schedules.
The Fleet News view
Fleets have many options when it comes to checking licences for endorsements and validity.
These range from having drivers sign a mandate stating they will update the company if their licence changes – the legal minimum – to full online licence checks.
Which route a company takes will depend on its aversion to risk and available resource.
However, all fleets need to ensure that their drivers are at the very least legally entitled to drive the car or van provided as part of their job (including staff using their own car for business purposes).
Paul Allison - 23/09/2013 16:09
Tying the driver license checking to the fleet provider may reduce the management overheads initially, but then ties the fleet customer to that provider for both vehicle provision and driver management, making switching suppliers a more complicated process.