✅ 1. What Driving Licence Checks Should Be Made?

Here’s what an employer should check when reviewing an employee’s driving licence — especially if they drive on company business:

a. Licence Validity

  • Is the licence currently valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked)?

  • Does it have a photocard that’s in date (valid for 10 years)?

  • Is it a UK driving licence or an acceptable foreign equivalent?

b. Entitlement / Vehicle Categories

  • Does the licence cover the correct class of vehicle (e.g., car, van, minibus)?

    • For example, someone driving a 3.5-tonne van must be licensed for Category B.

c. Endorsements / Penalty Points

  • Are there any endorsements (offences) or penalty points?

    • Employers may set a maximum points limit (e.g., not more than 6 points).

    • Certain endorsements (e.g., drink driving) may disqualify someone from driving for business.

d. Disqualification

  • Has the employee ever been banned or disqualified from driving?

e. Photo ID Match

  • Does the photocard match the employee’s identity?

f. DVLA Check Code (Online Check)

  • Use the DVLA's online licence check service with a code supplied by the employee.

    • This gives up-to-date access to endorsements, points, and disqualifications.

? 2. How Often Should These Checks Be Done?

Frequency depends on risk, but here's a general guide:

Risk LevelSuggested Frequency
Low risk (occasional drivers)Every 12 months
Medium risk (regular drivers, no prior offences)Every 6 months
High risk (fleet drivers, prior points/offences)Every 3 months or more frequently

Also check:

  • When first employed (before allowing driving)

  • After any driving-related incident

  • After licence expiry or renewal

  • If the employee switches roles or vehicles

❓ 3. Why Are These Checks Important?

Three main reasons:

a. Legal Compliance

  • Employers have a duty of care under Health & Safety laws and the Road Traffic Act.

  • Allowing someone to drive without a valid licence can lead to prosecution.

b. Insurance Protection

  • Business insurance may be invalid if a driver is not properly licensed.

  • You must be able to show reasonable steps were taken to check licence status.

c. Risk Management

  • Drivers with points are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents.

  • Regular checks help prevent reputational and financial damage.