This guide offers advice to driver recruitment agencies in relation to existing and expected drivers’ hours and working time legislation, for drivers in scope of eu drivers’ hours (tachograph) legislation

New EU drivers’ hours rules – vehicles losing concession





Checking driver licences – a checklist and example declaration
General

• 
  check ALL licences
  
• 
  ensure drivers produce licence AND paper counterpart to photocard licence
  
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  take a photocopy of both sides of licences and counterparts
  

Check:

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  personal details are correct – name, date of birth and address
  
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  issue number and issue date against last check
  
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  whether any medicals/renewals are due in the near future – if so advise driver
  
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  age restrictions
  
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  driver holds required entitlements
  
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  restriction and exchange codes
  
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  photocard expiry date
  
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  any new endorsements/disqualifications
  

Ask driver to sign declaration (see over for an example) that they:

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  have produced their latest licence
  
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  have not had a change in health/eyesight which could affect their entitlement to drive – if so they must also inform DVLA
  
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  do not have any pending convictions, endorsements or disqualifications
  
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  will inform you and DVLA if their health/eyesight changes in a way which could affect their entitlement to drive
  
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  will inform you of any road traffic incidents, convictions, endorsements or disqualifications which could affect their entitlement to drive
  

If in doubt about the validity of a licence you can check with DVLA with the driver’s permission:

1. 
   in writing from Data Subject Inquiry Unit. Call 01792 310075 between 9am and 12 noon on weekdays. DVLA charge for this service on a pre-payment basis.
   

2. 
   by telephone on a premium rate number (0906 139 3837) 8am to 8pm weekdays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.
   
3. 
   
   

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Example of a driver’s declaration
It is an offence for a person to drive on a road any vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence authorising him to drive it. It is also an offence for a person to cause or permit another person to drive it.
This is a declaration that I _________________________________________
have produced my latest licence, and that I have no pending convictions, endorsements or disqualifications.
I have had no change in my health, which could affect my entitlement to drive, in particular, for ALL licences:

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  Epilepsy
  
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  Fits or blackouts
  
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  Repeated attacks of sudden disabling giddiness (dizziness that prevents you from functioning normally)
  
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  Diabetes controlled by insulin
  
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  An implanted cardiac pacemaker
  
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  An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
  
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  Persistent alcohol abuse or dependency
  
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  Persistent drug abuse or dependency
  
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  Parkinson’s disease
  
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  Narcolepsy or sleep apnoea syndrome
  
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  Stroke, with any symptoms lasting longer than one month, recurrent ‘mini strokes’ or TIAs (Transiant Ischaemic Attacks)
  
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  Any type of brain surgery, severe head injury involving inpatient treatment, or brain tumour
  
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  Any other chronic (long term) neurological condition
  
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  A serious problem with memory or episodes of confusion
  
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  Severe learning disability
  
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  Serious psychiatric illness or mental ill-health
  
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  Total loss of sight in one eye
  
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  Any condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye only (not including short or long sight or colour blindness)
  
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  Any condition affecting your visual field (the surrounding area you can see when looking directly ahead)
  
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  Any persistent limb problem for which your driving has to be restricted to certain types of vehicles or those with adapted controls
  

Also, for vocational licences:

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  Angina, other heart conditions or heart operation
  
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  Diabetes controlled by tablets
  
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  Visual problems affecting either eye
  
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  Any form of stroke, including TIAs (Transiant Ischaemic Attacks)
  

If any of the above affects me I will inform my employer as soon as possible. I understand that I must also inform DVLA by writing to the: Drivers Medical Group, DVLA, Swansea SA99 1TU (the appropriate medical questionnaires can be downloaded from www.direct.gov.uk/driverhealth). Failure to do so is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000. I will inform my employer of any road traffic incidents, convictions, endorsements or disqualifications that occur, which could affect my entitlement to drive, as soon as possible.

I have read and fully understand the above and will comply with what is requested of me.
Signed__________________________ Date_________________________
© October 2008