Mobile Phone Charge While Driving

[JeniPeni]

Does an employee have to declare to their employer that they have just been given 3 points on their driving licence for using their mobile while driving? It happened during their own time and their own vehicle, although driving is a big part of their job. Thanks.

[Maydup]

What Eddie said

[JeniPeni]

Thanks very much for that info Eddie.

[vivandorron]

Providing you still have a valid driving licence, any points on it should not have any affect upon your employers Insurance.

Keep quiet and,in future, stay off the mobile when driving.

Ron.

[boxtops]

I'd have to declare it - those of us who drive for work have to show our driving licences (and car insurance details, if we use our own car) every year.

[New Judge]

”Providing you still have a valid driving licence, any points on it should not have any affect upon your employers Insurance.”

No, it may well not have any effect on the premium, vivandorron. Where it will have an effect is if the employer has to make a claim involving jeniadams. The insurer will make enquiries and if the offence has not been declared they are likely to repudiate the claim. Not much fun for the employer if jeni cripples somebody and the compensation runs into hundreds of thousands.

Just tell your employer, jeni, and rest easy in your bed.

[vivandorron]

Fair point NJ.....However a lot could depend upon how big is the Company. A lot of large firms are 'Self Insured'.

Ron.

[hc4361]

Self insured?

[New Judge]

Yes, it is possible, Eddie. There is provision in the Road Traffic Act for compulsory Third Party insurance to be not necessary provided the owner deposits with the “Senior Court” £500,000. Note that this sum has to be actually lodged, not merely promised, and it is required for each vehicle.

Very few companies that I know of take advantage of this provision. Even large organisations, such as BT, The Post Office, Tesco, BP and even insurance companies insure their vehicles in the traditional fashion.

[Andyvon]

Hi Jeniadams,

I used to employ drivers and my fleet policy insisted that drivers have a clean licence. I always checked the licences of applicants and I could only take on drivers with clean licences as points would have increased the premium markedly. If we wanted to add a driver who had got points after starting work for us then we had to notify the insurer and pay an increased premium for that individual (I think they took out a separate policy for that driver). Tougher employers would have asked a driver to leave or sacked them, but we knew and treated everyone personally so we bit the bullet and paid up.

The person you know Jeniadams should definitely tell their employer as the points may well affect any future claim if that information was withheld.

Secondly, one thing I expected of my employees was honesty. The employer is almost certain to discover the situation at some time and they really won't be impressed if the person you know tries to "keep the point quiet" as advised by some here. They may well lose their job over the dishonesty as well as it being used by an employer whose looking to make cuts. The person you know would also be leaving the employer open to increased financial risk while it was undisclosed.

Best for the person to be honest and tell their employer Jeniadams. It would be foolish to try and hide it.