The DVLA has also confirmed that it is working on a new digital enquiry services for launch later this year that will allow fleets to view information they can currently see on the driving licence counterpart.
In a statement, the agency said: ‘These new services will be offered in addition to the existing services, but are designed for those who have a business need for real-time access to the information, and may not wish to call DVLA or be in a position to use an intermediary.
‘Driving licence information via these services will only be made available to those who have a right to see it, and with the knowledge of the driving licence holder.’
The move has been greeted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which has stated that postponing the removal date of the counterpart will provide "breathing space" to industry, and allow time for a suitable "tried and tested" online system to be in place.
Karen Dee – FTA director of policy commented: 'FTA knew that the 1 January removal date had been delayed, but we were waiting for an indication of when the driving licence counterpart would actually be abolished. We had voiced concerns that the new date would be rushed and would not allow any significant re-development of the systems that businesses were expected to use to carry out critical safety checks on their drivers.
'FTA was given assurances by the DVLA that the removal would not happen until such a time that an alternative was in place that satisfied the requirements of FTA Business. Today’s announcement of 8 June 2015 demonstrates that Ministers have listened to industry’s concerns, and we look forward to working with DVLA to develop a system which is fit for purpose.'
The association had previously expressed its concern that DVLA's proposed replacement relied upon individual drivers logging into the "View Driver Record" system and printing off a copy of their counterpart details which they can give to their employer. The employer would then have had to verify the information being provided within 48 hours by also going online. Whilst this process may work for some businesses, FTA members who often employ many thousands of drivers and check license’s up to three times a year would find this process both time consuming and costly.
Dee continued: 'This proposal came out of the Government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’ intended to identify areas where administration and bureaucracy could be reduced. But the solution DVLA came up with would actually increase the administrative process of checking an employee had a valid driving licence. FTA members are keen to have electronic solutions to administrative processes – but they have to be right, and they have to make the job easier, quicker and cheaper.'
