“The system the Government is currently proposing is not suitable for business needs.”
It has now been announced that the removal of the counterpart to the driving licence will not go ahead on the 1 January 2015 as originally planned.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has convinced the Government to delay plans to abolish the paper counterpart to the driving licence until an online system suitable for businesses has been developed, as the FTA state the proposed electronic system was not ‘”fit-for-purpose.”
The initial announcement to remove the counterpart was part of the Governments drive to reduce unnecessary burden to business in 2011. This was supported by the FTA on the condition that a suitable online replacement was in place prior to its removal, this is not the case therefore the delay has come as an early Christmas present for employers who rely on the counterpart to ensure their drivers are legally able to drive.
Ian Gallagher, FTA Head of Policy for Driver Licencing said: “Businesses that employ a large number of people who have to drive for a living have a critical role in ensuring these drivers are safe and eligible to be on the road. FTA members desperately want a sophisticated electronic system for monitoring their drivers – but the system the Government is currently proposing is not suitable for business needs.”
The Driver Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA) proposed replacement relies on the individual driver logging into the ‘View Driver Record’ system and printing off a copy of their counterpart details which they can give to their employer – they will then be able to verify the information within 48 hours by also going online. While this process may work for some employers, FTA members who employ many thousands of drivers and have their licences checked up to three times a year will find this process both time consuming and costly.
Further information on a potential timescale for the removal of the counterpart licence was not available at the time of this story going to press.
Malcolm Maycock
( Monday, December 15, 2014 - 09:18 )
I have confirmed from the Policy team this morning that they, DVLA have yet to confirm any change of date for the abolition of the counterpart. What they have confirmed to the Association for Driving Licence Verification ( http://www.adlv.co.uk ) is that they will make an announcement as soon as possible.
ADLV members are working with DVLA to launch in January a Real Time service to its members. In addition we hope to have econsent as well as the current ‘wet signature’ D796. It is clear from DVLA and the Information Commissioner that data subjects will have to continue to provide consent for employers to see their information whether through Share My Driver Record or through any other medium.
Malcolm Maycock – Chairman ADLV
Richard Brown - Licence Check Ltd
( Thursday, December 11, 2014 - 12:39 )
The DVLA is not a commercial service provider for industry, therefore, what is being removed will be the counterpart paper licence only (not the Photocard) which holds endorsement and convictions. The new View Driver Licence (VDL) & Share My Driver Licence (SMDR) meets the needs of this for the individual in the same way as producing a counterpart.
DVLA have had commercial agreements with EDECS intermediaries for many years, such as ourselves http://www.licencecheck.co.uk. Our service meets the needs for all employers including those with large volumes of drivers and provides a full management suite and support for continuously monitoring and reporting at risk licence holders and is a sophisticated electronic system that already exists.
For 2015 LICENCECHECK will be launching a new Real-Time ‘QuickFire’ service where licence results will be available at the point of request within seconds. Consent will be obtained by the employer via a contract of employment or other declaration removing the need for the current D796 consent form process.
If you have any questions, comments please call 0845 226 9686 for more information.