Could outdated driver licence information be silently putting your company at risk?
For any Fleet Manager or individual responsible for overseeing drivers and vehicles, maintaining accurate and up-to-date driving licence records is a fundamental compliance requirement. Failing to do so can expose a company to significant legal, financial, and safety risks.
Ensuring that employees hold the correct, valid driving licences is not simply best practice, it is a core part of a company’s duty of care. Businesses are responsible for verifying that every driver is legally permitted to operate the type of vehicle they are allocated.
Regular driving licence checks should therefore form a central element of any health and safety policy involving employees who drive for work. Accurate and up-to-date records help demonstrate that the organisation has taken all reasonable steps to manage driver-related risks.
A robust compliance process typically includes checking key information held by the DVLA, such as:
- Licence status
- Licence categories and entitlements
- Any restrictions applied
- Current endorsements
- Penalty points
- Disqualifications
Monitoring this information ensures that a business maintains clear sight of potential risks, such as drivers approaching disqualification thresholds or operating outside their licence category.
However, manual checking is time-consuming, inconsistent, and prone to error. This is where automated systems strengthen compliance. Automated licence checks, like those delivered through Herd Connect, ensure that re-checks occur at intervals matched to your risk profile, remove the reliance on paperwork, and provide accurate data direct from the DVLA. Digital consent processes eliminate the administrative burden of paper mandates, and a built-in audit trail clearly demonstrates compliance during any investigation or audit.
A strong, well-managed licence checking framework supports:
- Safer fleet operations
- Reduced organisational risk
- Clear evidence of duty of care compliance
- Greater confidence that all drivers are legally entitled to drive
While automation enhances speed, accuracy and consistency, the core message remains: maintaining compliant driver records is essential for protecting your business, your employees, and every road user.
If you’re interested in learning more, please email sales@herdconnect.co.uk
Please note our licence checking is only valid for UK driver licences.
Herd Group are Industrial Associates of CIPHE, to see the full list of Industrial Associates check out the directory HERE