Driving Licence Checks Removal of Paper Licence Interim

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches





No. 413/15
Ref: 300.02/202.09
Date: 25th June 2015


For the immediate attention of:

Postal Branches
Divisional Representatives
Parcelforce Regional Organisers
Area Delivery Representatives
Area Distribution Representatives
Network LGV Representatives
Parcelforce LD Representatives



Dear Colleague

Driving Licence Checks – Removal of Paper Licence – Interim Arrangements (Except Northern Ireland)

Branches will be aware that from the 8th June 2015, the paper counterpart to the Photocard driving licence is longer valid. From this date, the counterpart will no longer have any legal status though Branches should note that the paper driving licence issued before the Photocard was introduced in 1998 will remain valid and should not be destroyed.

Agreed existing arrangements for initial or six monthly licence checks for all staff required to drive as part of their duties entailed the presentation and review of the paper counterpart. This existing practice is now no longer valid and the Postal Department has been attempting to conclude arrangements with the business on a revised electronic process for the checking of licences, which maintains and complies with legal obligations while ensuring that the process maintains existing standards.

Without using the electronic licence checking service it would be impossible to check the details of a driving licence. New endorsements/penalty points will only be recorded electronically, and will not be printed or written on either the Photocard licence or paper driving licence. Due to negotiations with third party suppliers the business has as yet been unable to conclude a proposal on a new process.

Against this backdrop, the business has shared with the union an interim arrangement to be deployed for the checking of licences. This process has taken effect from the 8th June 2015 and will be used to check licences of all agency staff and internal staff taking up driving duties.

All new licence checks – including agency drivers – must be done online with the driver’s consent. The driver will be required to provide a mandate code, and the last eight characters of their driving licence number. The code should be used within 72 hours.

If the driver has access to a PC at the unit, the attachment outlines the process to be followed.

The details of the interim arrangements are attached to this LTB and Branches are asked to ensure that they are bought to the attention of all postal members who perform driving duties.

It is anticipated that a long term solutions will be in place prior to the next scheduled 6 monthly licence check in October.

The interim arrangements will also apply to driving licence checks for Parcelforce Worldwide drivers.



Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to:

For Deliveries: Bob Gibson, Assistant Secretary, e-mail hnutley@cwu.org or mstewart@cwu.org, quoting reference: 300.02

or

For Network, Area Distribution & Parcelforce: Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, e-mail: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org quoting reference number: 202.09

Yours sincerely






Terry Pullinger Mark Baulch
Assistant Secretary Acting Assistant Secretary

[Lounge Lizard]

So what's the procedure now for those of us that have never had a photocard driving license ?

[k979aaa]

Should imagine it would be the same as a photo licence holder as paper is none valid any more so it is the same system you can check your licence on-line the same way.