The licence checking and compliance company says that starting the switch now will help avoid issues surrounding licence renewal, endorsements or verification of new/existing licences. 

It added that fleets should be using this launch to review and update their policies, in order to remain compliant with their Duty of Care obligations. 

And Licence Bureau says it’s important for fleets to remember that performing single licence checks still require employee consent to access personal data. Employees can currently give this through the ‘View Driving Licence’ and ‘Share Driving Licence’ online services on the DVLA website. 

Rather than deterring fleets from using licence checking services, the company added that it believes more companies will move to using a checking and compliance service – as data for an entire fleet is collated in a single place. Using an online portal that flags upcoming risks will prepare them for any issues approaching 8 June, whilst improving risk management as they view data in ‘real time’. 

Should fleets leave any changes too late, it could cost them considerable resources as they try to catch up; being fully prepared and minimising any changeover issues is essential if fleets are to take advantage of quicker and more efficient licence verification from June 8th onwards.

Malcolm Maycock, managing director of Licence Bureau, said: “Despite the abolition of the paper counterpart not coming into force until June 8th, we would advise fleets to move their records online immediately. This is especially important for larger fleets, who want to avoid any administrative delays in order to hit the ground running.” 

Tips for fleets and drivers:

• Fleets should digitalise their records as soon as possible
• Ensure their chosen provider is giving the range of services they require
• Consent can be easily obtained from employees before transferring licence checking online
• Drivers need to understand that the counterpart can be discarded from June 8th
• Drivers who only possess paper licences won’t be affected until renewing
• Fleets who provide daily rental solutions should be aware of the change in the rental process

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