Driving licence essential

[essentialhealing]

As of tomorrow I will be working for a new company. Myself and others are being TUPE'd so same location, job etc just different owners

We drive cars on site but not on public roads. We have to move them around on site as part of the job

The previous company didn't ask to see people's driving licenses and there's at least four people who are driving cars that don't hold a driving licence. Previous company knew, it wasn't an issue, it's on private property

The new owners want to see everybody's driving licenses tomorrow. I have a driving licence but those that don't are a bit concerned as we've seen the job advertised as we need more staff and it states that a driving licence is essential

Where do the non licence holders stand? As a licence wasn't a requirement previously will that come into it?

Nobody here will have any way of knowing. It will be up to the employers insurance I guess.

As you are being TUPE'd, all terms and conditions will transfer to your new employers, including not needing a driving license. What does your union have to say on the matter?

I'd be astounded if the insurance for the cars would cover them being driven by someone without a licence, even on private property. How big a part of the role is it? Worst case, is it something that the unlicensed employees could not do in future or perhaps there's different roles in the business they could move to?

Our of curiosity, who owns the vehicles that are being moved? I'd be very unhappy if I dropped my car at, say, airport parking and it was driven by someone with no licence.

Id never really considered the people who drive your car once you drop it in a bay and hand over the keys, until a colleague dropped her sporty little car at airport parking a couple of years ago. Got to her destination and had a message to call them - the person moving it had 'somehow' driven it through a hedge into a ditch and written it off. So that was a relaxing holiday for her.

Sorry, just read that back, I'm not implying your colleagues would be writing off people's cars!

Just that we always think these things will be fine, until they're not.

We're not in a Union

Interesting point I.e would insurance be void if people driving the cars didn't have a licence. I have no idea. That point alone could be why the new company want employee's to have a licence?!

Employers also have health and safety legal obligations - not sure how allowing staff to drive vehicles without the appropriate licences showing they are competent to do so fits with those either.

It may be a case of current staff without licences can continue but won't be allowed to drive cars on site anymore. But all future staff need licences.

I suspect it is an insurance thing and an understandable one.