Companies in particluar have been advised to introduce rigorous driving licence checks after it emerged that hundreds of fraudsters are producing high quality fakes.
The fake licences, which can cost as little as £350 over the internet, are indistinguishable from the genuine documents.
The fake licences, which can cost as little as £350 over the internet, are indistinguishable from the genuine documents
DCI Paul Lambotte, head of the Police National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service said firms must thoroughly follow up on all licence documents, viewing both the paper and plastic counterparts then checking details with the Driver and Vehicle licensing Agency (DVLA). DCI Lambotte warned that companies could find themselves under investigation for lax licence checking as it is a crime for someone to use fake documents and companies could be considered to be aiding and abetting an offence or even causing one.
The advise is to follow up on the information given by drivers and prove that they have taken all reasonable steps to check details. The problem lies with the fakes proving difficult to combat.
"If anyone has any concerns over the authenticity of a driving licence, then the best practise is to contact DVLA to confirm entitlement," a spokesman said.
The police are now targeting online sellers of fake licences under the Road Traffic Act. How things change. I remember being offered up to £500 if I posed as a pupil and sat the test on their behalf. Not that I was ever tempted. Now they can download a fake one. When will someone start regulating what is availably on the Internet?
FemaleFirst Jackie Violet