Driving for work – who should be included in licence checks?

There are many misconceptions around the responsibilities of companies whose activities require workers to drive.

Our blog, Driving for work – what are the Employer’s responsibilities? addresses what the law is regarding driving for work, and how employers can meet their obligations.

But is it just employees who a company needs to check?

The recent Supreme Court ruling over the official status of Uber drivers in the UK has highlighted interesting points over how responsibilities differ depending on the status of workers.

When it comes to company health and safety responsibilities however, it is very clear that the focus is not on the status of the worker, but their activities on the company’s behalf.

The HSE defines the responsibility on their website:

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires employers to take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities when at work. This includes the time when they are driving or riding at work, whether this is in a company or hired vehicle, or in the employee’s own vehicle.

Whether a worker is an employee or a contractor, if their activities carried out on behalf of a company include driving, then the company has a responsibility to ensure they are safe and legal to do so. This is not just for their own welfare, but also for others who may be affected.

So no matter the status of your workers, if their activities on behalf of your company involve driving, be sure to meet your duty of care obligations.

Automated vehicle checks

Our DriverCare software can help meet these obligations with automated vehicle checks and licence checks, giving you reassurance that your duty of care for drivers is in hand.

Find out more about automated vehicle checks and DriverCare features.