The delay in the date for the abolition of the paper counterpart to the current driving licence is ‘irrelevant’ as the time for fleets to change their processes is now, says the Association for Driving Licence Verification.

The association said some corporate fleet users are concerned that even when the current alternative proposed by the DVLA becomes available it might not address all their business compliance and operational requirements for fleets of 20 or more.

The ADLV is recommending that fleet managers evaluate available commercial alternatives now to reap immediate and significant efficiency savings as well as data security enhancements.

Malcolm Maycock, chairman of the ADLV, said: “The benefits of electronic checking are already available and proven so why wait until someone decides a date for the inevitable?

“Organisations seeking to professionally manage and protect their employees’ driver data should make the move to electronic checking now.”

Kevin Curtis, technical director at the ADLV, added: "Working alongside the DVLA, the ADLV will launch a real-time checking service early in the New Year.

“We also plan to launch the new eConsent service for paperless checks as well as the current ‘wet signature’ D796. 

“ADLV members offer a risk free and compliant solution to managing driver data and this is being well received by those who wish to take a professional approach."

In the New Year, the ADLV will be contacting fleet managers to recommend they make the move to electronic verification now instead of waiting for confirmation of when the paper counterpart is to be abolished.