Derby-based Licence Check is offering advice to fleet operators regarding vital licence checking services during the coronavirus lockdown.
The DfT has put in place temporary changes in professional driver qualification requirements as it may be difficult for drivers to complete the required training at present.
Those drivers whose Driver CPC, also known as the ‘driver qualification card’ (DQC), expires in the period from 1 March to 30 September are allowed to continue driving on the expired card until October.
However, Licence Checks says that despite this relaxation, it still remains vitally important to check a driver’s entitlement to drive a vehicle, especially as many firms are now hastily recruiting new delivery drivers in sectors such as food and parcel distribution.
Terry Hiles, general manager at Licence Check, said: “The new relaxation of the DQC rules does not excuse the obligation to check driving licences to ensure drivers remain entitled to drive the class of vehicle they are using. The same applies to new drivers who are about to drive for the business for the first time.”
To implement this change and prevent their customers receiving automated warnings that their drivers’ DQC has expired over this period, Licence Check is amending its systems to take into account the new rulings, and will not ag-up urgent warnings or perform automatic re-checks for expired cards until after 1 October.
Licence Check is also offering advice on how to best handle checking licences for new drivers taken on during the lockdown period, as well as best-practice fleet advice for company-wide driver audits and training for those on furlough.
See licencecheck.co.uk to find out more.
