Not checking employee driving licence almost costs thousands!
An employee of one of my clients recently had a car accident in a company owned vehicle. Fortunately nobody was injured but the car was a write-off.
The insurer asked for the driver’s licence details and previous convictions and only then was it realised that the employer only had a copy of the plastic driving licence and not the counterpart which would have showed a serious conviction a few years ago – one that the insurer knew nothing about. Luckily, it fell just outside the time period that the insurer asked about on the proposal form…….it could have easily been very different – not disclosing such a conviction could have led to the claim being turned down.
If you allow an employee to use a vehicle (their own or yours) for the purpose of your business, you have a duty to make sure they are entitled to drive.
You should therefore keep a record of all drivers which is updated at least annually, to check the following:
- That their licence has not not lapsed (new licences are now issued for a period of 10 years).
- That it has not been suspended.
- Any motoring convictions (these may need to be notified to your insurer if they drive your vehicles).
- That it allows them to drive the vehicles they actually use. Some may not allow driving of minibuses, certain commercial vehicles or towing a trailer.
A simple system can make sure claims don’t get turned down.