DVLA launches new fast checking service
BY DANIEL ATTWOOD
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency (DVLA) has launched a
new online licence checking
service which allows firms to
receive replies within 24 hours.
The service will make it much
easier and quicker for fleets to
check that potential drivers hold
the relevant licence and will highlight
if they have any endorsements
and what they are.
The launch of the new service
follows a trial with one of DVLA's
contracted DECS (Driver Entitlement
Checking Services) customers.
This involved sending the
licence data via secure file transfer
instead of the current method,
which involves the data being
encrypted, downloaded to a
CD-ROM and sent manually via
the Government Car and Despatch
Agency.
"As the pilot was successful, the DVLA is now in the process of transferring existing customers to this method of transfer," explained a DVLA spokesman. 'This new service would allow requests to be made Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), with the data normally returned the following working day."
Any company can apply to use
the new service, but the DVLA
warns that there is a waiting list.
In order to use the service, the
company must also make a
minimum of 200 driver licence
enquiries a month, sign a contract
and obtain mandates from the
driving licence holders.
'The company would also have
to pay for connection and the
secure file account," said the
DVLA spokesman. 'The estimated
cost of this is currently
being reviewed."
Fleets considering taking up
the new service would also need
to invest significant amounts to
develop their IT systems.
"Most commercial organisations
would need to invest in a
significant IT infrastructure to
support the data subject information
captured and develop a
bespoke database and application
to use the information effectively,
which would be totally cost
prohibitive for most organisations,"
explained Richard Brown,
managing director of Licence
Check. Therefore, he said to get
value for money, fleets should
continue to use licence checking
companies.
Companies wishing to be added
to the list can email decs@dvla.gsi.gov.uk
Jaama is one of 10 companies
already offering fleets the new
service and estimates that there
are some 400,000 motorists on
the roads without a valid licence."Driver licence checking is the
Achilles' heel for many fleets,"
said Jaama managing director
Jason Francis.
"All employees who drive on
business should have their
licences validated and any
endorsements put on file whether
they drive company-provided
vehicles or their own."
-Ends-
About Jaama
Jaama is a fleet software and occupational road safety specialist. As a certified Microsoft® development partner, Jaama uses the latest technology to provide customers with greater integration, control and automation. It brings innovative vehicle management software to fleet operators, contract hire and leasing companies. And Jaama is the first to combine fleet management software and risk management services to help customers meet their driver health and safety responsibilities under occupational road safety regulations.
http://www.jaama.co.uk
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