Fleets have just two days left to get updated GDPR-compliant driver permission for licence checks – after which they will be left unable to carry out essential driving licence checks.

Fleets will not be able to carry out licence checks through third-party providers after 25 August 2018 if they’ve not obtained updated consents

Earlier this year, the Association for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV) – which represents licence checking member firms – warned that more than two million fleet drivers in the UK will need to sign new data declarations by 25 August 2018. After this date, fleets will only be able to use automated driving licence checks via third-party providers if they have obtained such consents – yet Licence Check is warning that it’s not received consents for almost 40% of drivers on its database.

According to Licence Check MD Richard Brown, many driver records are not yet due for rechecking which may explain why almost 40% are still outstanding on its database.

He explained: “Some organisations are deliberately choosing to only seek GDPR-compliant permission from their driver pool just prior to when the next driving licence check is scheduled. However, I’m absolutely certain that there will be many others wondering why their scheduled drivers’ licence checks have not been processed after 25 August. The short answer is that we are prohibited by the DVLA from making any further requests under the old consent after this date.”

The warning comes as the ADLV also said the vast majority of the new mandates will have been checked and processed by the deadline, but cautioned that some employers remain “surprisingly complacent”.

Terry Hiles, deputy chair of the ADLV, said: “Whilst the GDPR transition has proved to be a mammoth task to be executed over an exceedingly tight timeframe, our members were always committed to ensuring that any processing is correct and complies fully with the new GDPR. In large part, with the very welcome support of the DVLA, the membership has been able to achieve this… albeit there may still be some housekeeping with outstanding customers required for some time to come.”

GDPR-compliant driver permission can be obtained either using a paper-based D906 Fair Processing Declaration Form (formerly D796 Mandate Form) or the new E-Permission process.  This updated permission will remain valid for up to 3 years from its effective date, as per the previous consent procedure.