Are You Checking Your Drivers’ Licences Often Enough?
It’s easy to assume your drivers are fully licensed, especially if they’ve been with you for years. But things can change fast. Points, disqualifications, medical restrictions… and if you don’t know about it, you’re the one held responsible.
We supported a small operator who had a long-serving driver turn up with a recently expired CPC and a revoked C+E entitlement due to a medical declaration. The driver didn’t realise, and the operator hadn’t run a check in over 9 months. It wasn’t spotted until a DVSA roadside stop. Result? Prohibition issued and formal warning to the licence holder.
The law requires that operators ensure drivers are properly licensed and qualified to operate the vehicle type they’re driving. That means:
- Full valid driving entitlement (Group C / C+E / etc.)
- Up-to-date Driver CPC
- No relevant disqualifications or expired medicals
- No active driving bans or excess penalty points
You must check these details regularly, not just at induction.
Best practice includes:
- Using a DVLA licence check service every 3 months
- Keeping a spreadsheet or database with check dates, results, and follow-up actions
- Checking CPC expiry, licence categories, endorsements, and address matches
- Ensuring drivers sign a declaration giving permission for checks and confirming accuracy
Hauliers Hub members can access editable driver licence check logs, permission-to-check templates, and reminders to keep everything up to date.
Remember, a simple licence check could stop you putting an unqualified driver on the road and risking your O-Licence.
✅ Want tools to simplify driver checks and store your compliance evidence properly?
Join Hauliers Hub today and get access to templates, trackers, and expert support.
