In a written question, Chris Leslie, Labour/Co-operative MP for Nottingham East has asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice on introducing tighter measures for companies that employ drivers, so that such companies are automatically informed when an employee is convicted of a motoring offence and subsequently loses their professional driving licence – and if he will make a statement.
In response Jesse Norman Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) said: ‘There are no plans for the Secretary of State to hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice about measures of this kind.
“The Driver and Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not hold or ask for details of where drivers work. In the haulage sector, some drivers are self-employed or work through agencies on short-term contracts for a variety of different companies.
“All employers have a duty to check their employees’ licences regularly; the DVLA advises that this should be done at least once every three months and they can do so using the DVLA’s free licence check service. Does this answer the above question?’
