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EXCLUSIVE: EU licence check minefield exposed
Date: 31 October 2007
Increasing numbers of workers from the Continent are causing a new driving licence-checking headache for UK fleet managers.
A growing number of fleets are being hit by admin nightmares checking licences of employees who've moved to the UK from other nations within the European Union. Of particular problem are workers from countries that have recently joined the EU.
Safety-conscious fleets trying to follow best practice have been unable to read licences in foreign languages and do not know how to check them with the home country's government department.
Speaking at a recent ACFO regional meeting some participants suggested making it compulsory for all staff to have a UK licence, however this contravenes EU discrimination law.
If the staff concerned are resident in the UK they are required to have a current address on their licence. However, this does not mean they have to change to a UK licence.
Tesco's fleet safety boss Andrew Kemp, who spoke at the ACFO meeting, said his firm does not insist on a UK licence when hiring, but helps people change to a UK licence where appropriate. However, Tesco insists that within a few months of starting a driver must have a UK licence and covers itself by using duty of care laws.
Although the DVLA will check UK licences for employers, confusion surrounds its ability to check EU, but non-UK, licences. Indeed, BusinessCar was told by the DVLA's press office that it did not offer the service. However, BusinessCar has seen an email from the DVLA that says the service is available.
The DVLA did advise BusinessCar readers to use an EU book called Driving Licences - European Union and European Economic Area (download below) that helps understand different licences from across Europe. However, it does not help check to see if a licence is valid.
