Tag: Covid-19

Take check of your drivers, or your fleet could end up in hot water

9th July 2021 No Comments COVID-19

With the lifting of coronavirus restrictions fast approaching, business owners should be prepared. According to Licence Link, the return to ‘normality’ could see a spike in driver endorsements – following the imminent reopening of nightlife and the return of commuters. Now it’s time to take stock of your drivers’ licence points or risk serious consequences.

According to figures released by DVLA, 92,000 UK drivers already have between 9 and 11 points on their driving licence, making them a high risk to employers. * This figure is only set to rise too – with motorists having racked up a hefty 1.5 million points during the first half of 2020 alone, amidst a full lockdown. **

With these figures in mind, it’s crucial to consider how your business may be affected if your staff were to incur points – whether they’re employed as a driver, have access to a grey fleet vehicle, or are insured on your fleet policy. For example, being convicted of drink driving, speeding, or using a mobile behind the wheel – even out of working hours – could result in anything from 3 points to a driving ban. From invalidating your insurance to rendering your business temporarily driverless, this could have a serious impact.

What’s more, if the employee fails to disclose this information, your business could be held liable for fines (or worse), so it’s imperative to always keep check of drivers. With Licence Link’s real-time licence checking tool, Fleet Managers can set automated checks for their workforce – reducing the risk of missed or undeclared points. They can flag high-risk drivers to check more frequently too, providing peace of mind that new endorsements will be identified quickly.

Melvin Jeffers, Sales and Customer Relations Leader at Licence Link explains:

“With thousands of employees still awaiting a return to the workplace, its inevitable HR teams will be overrun in preparation. Using Licence Link is a significant time-saver, safeguarding against the risk of missed checks. It’s so easy to make mistakes when tracking results manually, often for hundreds of drivers. For less than a few pounds per check, you can be sure your staff have a valid licence and pose no risk to your business. Your HR team can focus on other priorities, with no hassle of managing compliance.”

With the lifting of restrictions just weeks away, now’s the time for businesses to prepare – identifying high-risk drivers, checking the terms of insurance, and scheduling regular driver checks. All this can be managed seamlessly with a provider like Licence Link.

References for figures:

*  THISISMONEY.co.uk, 2021, ‘On the brink of a driving ban: Britain has 92,000 motorists with between 9 and 11 points on their licence – and are just one offence away from losing it.’, [online]. Available from: https://bit.ly/3hmjoGy [Accessed: 08/07/21]

** TTC Protecting people on the move, 2020, ‘Motorist speeding offences soar during lockdown’, [online]. Available from: https://bit.ly/2TEjboZ [Accessed: 08/07/21]

Contactless licence checking

Contactless licence checks prevent COVID spread

6th October 2020 No Comments COVID-19, Features

As COVID-19 restrictions tighten, businesses are being urged to further implement precautionary measures, minimising risk in the workplace. Licence Link provides a contactless driver licence checking service, enabling Fleet Managers/ HR to safely check drivers’ records for penalties or disqualifications, removing the need to handle any paperwork which could potentially carry the virus. Licence Link can also be used to check CPC and digital tachograph cards, all in line with DVLA standards.

“It’s easy, an electronic declaration can be sent straight to the driver to digitally sign and approve their licence check. There’s no need for a physical signature, avoiding any unnecessary interaction. Since GDPR was introduced, it’s vital to get approval to look up a licence with the DVLA and we wanted to make sure that Licence Link does all of the hard work for you.” Says Melvin Jeffers, Sales & Customer Relations Leader for Licence Link.

Upon gaining approval, Licence Link returns the drivers’ record to the Fleet Manager in real-time, providing a fast and effective digital response. By switching to paperless permission, the entire process is quicker than ever before, so drivers can get out on the road with minimal disruption, whilst Fleet Managers/ HR can ensure drivers are compliant.

Licence Link user Andy Bealing, Fleet Manager at Exeter City Council explains how adopting a digital process has been essential during lockdown:

“Here at Exeter City Council, we have a large fleet of drivers that have been working throughout the COVID crisis, including Civil Enforcement Officers who’ve been delivering welfare packages to the vulnerable in our community. Thanks to Licence Link, we can keep on top of all driver licences, CPC and Digital Tachograph Cards. Their digital checking service allows us to provide a safe and efficient service to our community, making sure we are compliant with the DVLA at all times. Licence Link has removed a number of administrative duties which has allowed more time for other tasks to be carried out.”

Licence Link are an ADLV member (Association for Driving Licence Verification), and all data is held securely and compliant with the strictest ISO 27001 guidelines which constantly protects businesses and their drivers.

With restrictions only likely to heighten and the festive season likely to see increased demand for deliveries, now is the ideal time for businesses to prepare, ensuring their drivers are compliant and ready to go with Licence Link!

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