A RECENT RAC survey found that 88 per cent of company car drivers break the speed limit on motorways when driving on business and over half admit to driving at 80 mph.
The report also suggests that while drivers are more cautious on urban and country roads there is still a large proportion of drivers exceeding the speed limit.
And this represents a worrying trend.
A RECENT RAC survey found that 88 per cent of company car drivers break the speed limit on motorways when driving on business and over half admit to driving at 80 mph.
The report also suggests that while drivers are more cautious on urban and country roads there is still a large proportion of drivers exceeding the speed limit.
And this represents a worrying trend. Reading this article prompted the question in the headline.
By the strict letter of the law there is no requirement for a company to carry out driving licence checks however relying on employees themselves to ensure they hold a current, valid licence might leave a company exposed to legal action through negligence and failing to meet their Duty of Care obligations. In extreme circumstances a company’s directors can be liable, something we would all be anxious to avoid. So what can be done?
Many employers will check an employee’s driving licence when they start their employment but it is important to build in regular checks, not just for those people driving a company car but also for those employees driving their own vehicle on occasions for business, the so called ‘grey’ fleet. This check should be built into a regular occurrence, perhaps an annual review or sales meeting, or when the employee changes their job role and a record should be kept of the result.
Obviously you are checking that the employee still holds a valid licence, and in light of the above survey hasn’t accrued any penalty points since their last check. It is a good idea to make the checking of licence part of the company terms of employment and carry out random checks at other times of the year.
Further assistance is available from the DVLA who operate a robust and foolproof method of checking licences. At Alpha Contracts we have a useful guide produced by one of the fleet publications which we are happy to send out in a pdf form.
If you are looking to tighten up your Duty of Care management in this areas then please get in touch. Of course you could build a licence check into the handover of the employee’s new car, so ask us about that as well… obviously!
For any car or van related enquiry speak to one of the team at Alpha Contracts Leasing Limited on 01604 756620.
Happy, and legal, motoring