A major change to licensing legislation could bring fines for fleet drivers and invalidate fleet insurance, TTC is warning.

Jim Kirkwood, CEO of TTC Group, said it’s important drivers aren’t caught out by the end of this extension period

The change to licence extension periods came into effect on 1 September, and is already catching some unsuspecting drivers out with fines of up to £1,000.

In response to the pandemic, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) announced a grace period for all driving licences due to expire between 1 February and 31 December 2020. This extended the expiration date by a further period of 11 months and meant that any driving licences that were originally due to expire in October 2020 became valid until September 2021.

But the deadline date has now passed and TTC is reminding drivers to check their driving licence expiration date and re-apply to the DVLA immediately.

It’s also advising fleets to pay extra attention to driver licence compliance in the coming weeks – not only can driving on an expired licence bring a £1,000 fine for the driver but it also has possible wider implications such as compromising fleet insurance cover.

Jim Kirkwood, CEO of TTC Group, said: “The past 18 months have seen a host of regulatory shifts for fleets and drivers, as the Government has responded to the pandemic. As we return to a more normal regulatory environment, it is important drivers aren’t caught out by the end of this extension period.”

Kirkwood added: “The range of solutions offered by Licence Bureau allows fleet managers to perform online driving licence verification checks both easily and quickly, and they will be immediately notified of any drivers whose licences have expired. We are committed to helping fleets achieve ongoing compliance of their vehicles and drivers.”