FLEET executives should ensure they check the driving licences of their employees’ partners or relatives or risk falling foul of the law.

Despite many companies having a policy allowing family members to drive company cars, many do not extend their licence checks to include them, experts have warned. Leasing company Masterlease said regular checks could result in the company tightening up its company car policy.

Gavin Jones, accident services manager at Masterlease, said: ‘Businesses are responsible for ensuring that anyone driving a company vehicle is licensed to do so.

‘Of course, it is an offence under the Road Traffic Act to permit an individual to drive a vehicle they are not licensed to drive.

‘But checking partners’ and relatives’ driving licences also enables businesses to highlight potential risk areas, such as young drivers with numerous points or reveal other frequent offenders.

‘The company may then choose to tighten its car policy, once they know the true risks involved in permitting family members to drive a company vehicle.’

As well as neglecting their duty of care responsibilities by not checking licences, fleets are also warned there could be financial implications.

Jones added: ‘If a relative or partner of an employee is driving one of its vehicles without a licence and is involved in an accident, the company’s insurance cover may be invalid.

‘It is important that businesses not already carrying out these checks take independent advice on the different types of driving licence checking services available.’