Jaama continues to update its driver licence checking service to vehicle leasing and fleet management companies and end user fleet customers as demand for at-work driving safety solutions rises.

Jaama’s driver licence checking service, which is now available as a stand-alone product, or can be integrated within Jaama’s Key2 range of fleet management software, is also being offered by leasing and fleet management companies to their clients.

Crucially, businesses that specify the service as a standalone solution can populate driver information obtained from the DVLA into existing third party online systems such as those operated by HR departments. This enables employers to analyse risks associated with individual drivers and introduce targeted solutions.

Jaama handles all matters around driver licence checking including obtaining a signed three-year mandate giving permission for the checks to be carried out and issuing reminders to them; obtaining information from the DVLA; alerting fleet decision-makers to all licence issues that are uncovered; and uploading the information into the customer’s Key2 Vehicle Management or third party software.

Jaama can manage checks on any number of drivers on any single occasion and deliver online reminders and alerts when photocard licences are due to expire after 10 years.

Jaama managing director Jason Francis said: “Our driver licence checking service is fully flexible enabling full automation once parameters have been set or we can deliver a manual management hands on service. It is entirely up to customers to specify their requirements.

“Driver licence checking should be a vital component of every company’s occupational road risk management policy.”

Although there is no current legislation that specifically requires an employer to check the driving records of their employees, the Road Traffic Act 1988 (88) (2) says that ‘it is an offence for a person to cause or permit another person to drive on a road a motor vehicle of any class if that other person is not the holder of a licence authorising him to drive a motor vehicle of that class’.

ACFO’s ‘Best Practice Guide to Employee Driving Document Checking’ advises: “Therefore any employer who is found to have permitted a person to drive a vehicle on business - whether a company-supplied vehicle or a privately-owned vehicle, which is often known as the ‘grey’ fleet - without ensuring they have a valid licence, is guilty of an offence. Crucially, organisations - particularly charities and public sector organisations - should also ensure that licence checking also extends to volunteer drivers as well as employees.”

Chris Joyce, operations director of vehicle leasing and fleet management company Fleet Hire said: “Our customers want a risk-scored report that highlights where and when accidents are occurring and which drivers are most at risk, which includes checking their licences.

“Taking these factors into account gives our customers a complete overview of their risk exposure that enables them to home in on key areas for focus with tailor-made interventions.”

Mr Francis concluded: “Our driver licence checking service means that not only is the administrative burden completely removed from customers, but they will have all information on drivers and their vehicles held in one central database, building a combined intelligent profile and highlighting exceptions.

“No other company, in our view, offers such a complete one-stop shop driver licence checking solution.”

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