- kyanahsharkey
What is a DVLA check and why is it so important?
Updated: Apr 28, 2022
If you are hiring someone who may need to drive on you or your company's behalf, a DVLA background check is required. Third parties that have access to a corporate car, as well as workers who drive their own vehicle for work-related reasons, also require a DVLA check. You will need to be aware of any offences they may have on their license, keeping up to date with all relative information.
What is a DVLA check?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) provides an online assessment of an applicant's driving license information.
What will the DVLA Report show?
All impaired driving charges, driving limitations, speeding, penalty points, types of vehicles they are permitted to drive, and other driving offences will be listed on the DVLA report. Regardless of whether the candidate will be driving their own vehicle or will have access to a company-owned vehicle, these checks should be carried out.
What is a DVLA code?
In 2015 the DVLA got rid of the paper counterpart of the driving licence and has switched over to a digital system instead.
The code is used to access the DVLA data base to check driving licence information and allows to share licence information with employers.
What is the code used for?
The code gives access to information about driving records and includes details such as:
· When your licence expires
· How many points you may have
· Which vehicles you are licenced to drive
How long does the code last?
The code lasts up to 21 days and can only be used once. However you can request multiple codes at one time if needed.
Why should employers take out DVLA checks?
If DVLA checks are not performed, this could result in the hire of an unstable or dangerous driver, putting not only the firm and themselves at risk, but also other road users. If they are involved in an accident and it is shown that they were driving as part of their job, the company could face significant fines. Employers will be charged with corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act.
How often should you perform DVLA checks?
The recommended amount of checks would be once a year. To maintain compliance and auditing, employers must keep a signed copy of the driver's licence as well as the DVLA check.
In some cases, these checks will be carried out more frequently; for example, if an employee accumulated points on their driver's licence, a more frequent check would assure road safety.
How can VettingGateway Help?
You can easily run DVLA checks in VettingGateway and receive an immediate result. Our automation will ensure that the check is completed promptly and that the check code is acquired with the least amount of effort on your part. The check obtains confirmation from the DVLA of the person's license validity as well as details of any endorsements, giving you piece of mind that they can effectively perform their duties. By using VettingGateway you can implement a simple and fast process to conduct DVLA checks throughout the lifetime of an employee’s employment.
If you would like to learn more about VettingGateway you can click here, or you can sign up for your free starter licence and claim three free reference check by clicking here.
The information Provided by VettingGateway in this blog was published on the 10/02/2022, all information was relevant at the time of publishing however as our landscape is forever changing this information may not remain valid.
