Company car and van drivers appear unaware that photocard driving licences require renewal every 10 years, according to fleet software firm CFC Solutions.
While drivers can legally continue to drive when their photocard has expired, they face a potential charge of failing to renew their licence, which can lead to a £1000 fine, although CFC is unaware of this happening to date.
Neville Briggs, CFC managing director, said: “Because of the driver’s photo on the card, there is a 10-year limit to the licence to take account of ageing and other physical changes, but many drivers and fleet managers are unaware.
“The DVLA does issue reminders to drivers that their licence will soon need renewing, but if the individual has moved address or simply ignored the reminder, which in our experience is common, there could be a problem.”
The need to renew photocard licences is one issue highlighted by CFC’s Licence Link software, which checks fleet car and van driver licences directly against the DVLA database.