The story of a disqualified driver using a false licence in the North Wales Chronicle highlights why road transport operators of all sizes must have a robust and reliable process for checking their drivers’ licences against the records held by the DVLA. The HGV driver was found to be disqualified during a routine stop-check on Thursday 15 April. The HGV driver produced a false driving licence, and following checks he was correctly identified as a disqualified driver. Further checks revealed that he did not have a drivers card for the tachograph for the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) to inspect. He appeared before Caernarfon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 25 May and pleaded guilty to guilty to driving whilst disqualified, using a false instrument, failing to use a tachograph and driving without insurance. The driver was sentenced to:

• 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months
• Disqualified from driving for 27 months
• Pay fines totalling £886
• Pay £85 in CPS costs
• Pay a victim surcharge of £128
• Carry out 240 hrs of unpaid work within the next 12 months

Do you know the real status of your drivers’ licences and CPC? SmartLicence checks driving licences and CPC with the DVLA to a set schedule determined by the risk profile of a driver. The more points on the licence the more frequently they get checked. It alerts you to any new points or issues that may need your immediate attention following a check, making it easy for operators to focus on problem drivers. For July and Aug you can sign-up to SmartLicence for just £3 per check. You are invoiced one month in arrears for the licences checked. Find out more about SmartLicence. Sign-up to SmartLicence.