Jaama Key2 Online Licence Checks As DVLA Bows Out
Jaama is experiencing unprecedented levels of interest and demand for its updated licence checking service for users of its Key2 Vehicle Management software which, looks set to continue with the recent announcement from the DVLA that it has abandoned its own online system for checking driving licence information, which was already being trialled with some businesses across the UK, and was due for delivery in 2010.
In addition, this year’s introduction of the Health and Safety (Offences) Act and the implementation last year of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act has further raised the importance of public and private sector fleets having a complete risk management audit trail of drivers as well as vehicles.
With an estimated 400,000 drivers on Britain’s road without a valid driving licence DVLA checks are viewed as an occupational road risk management essential by safety experts. Jaama’s vehicle licence checking system incorporates the DVLA software known as ‘e-DECS’ or electronic Driving Entitlement Checking Service; made available by the DVLA to only a small number of intermediary companies, which will allow Jaama customers obtain licence check results for individuals or batches of licences on the same day on which they are lodged.
The DVLA’s decision not to proceed with direct driving licence checks does not impact on licence checking procedures carried out by Jaama, which has already helped clients uncover a range of discrepancies including: A handful of drivers who had already been banned but had provided invalid licences, Three HGV drivers who did not have valid licences and A driver who did not have the correct licence category to drive the HGV he was driving.
Integration between the DVLA system and Key2 means a more secure electronic data transfer and ensures employers build-up a comprehensive picture of employees’ driving record once staff have given their consent to the checks with the signing of a three-year data protection mandate.
Additionally with Jaama’s new improved Key2, automatic updates can be obtained and management reports can be obtained on a number of issues including: Groups of staff with different risk levels e.g., 1-3 points, 4 -7 points etc. at pre-determined time intervals, Current endorsements and Licence expiration dates – particularly important with modern photo licences, which have a 10-year life
Jaama managing director Jason Francis said: “Driver licence checking is the Achilles heel for many fleets. 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.
“As a result of the IT improvements not only will the results of initial checks be obtained much quicker, but automatic updates mean that employers will be in possession of the latest facts relating to the validity of all employees’ driving licences.”
A DVLA spokesperson said:"The introduction of the online Driver Licence Check service has been postponed but the Agency continues to operate a range of alternative products for the checking of driver entitlement through telephone, paper and electronic channels.
"DVLA takes its responsibility as a custodian of the public purse seriously
and has had to reduce expenditure by reprioritising its development plans
to focus on business critical initiatives. As a result a number of
initiatives have had to be postponed".
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