I am currently in receipt of a car allowance from my employer and I own my own car which is used by me for travelling to and from work and for business trips. Recently my employer has requested all those with a company car or receiving a car allowance to provide permission for the company to contact DVLA to check the validity of the driving licences of all legitimate users of the vehicle (using a Driving entitlement consent form D796).

If I had a company car I could understand this (from a company insurance perspective), but since I own my car, I pay my insurance etc. I am concerned that the demand for me and for my wife (and anyone else that I allow to drive my car) to provide permission for my employer to check our Driving Entitlement might infringe on our civil liberties. I have already provided a declaration that I have a valid driving licence,and disclosed any points and provided details of my insurance etc.

My employer says it has a legal obligation to do this, but they have not been able to show me any evidence of this.

I would be interested to know whether they do have a legal right to request this (especially for my wife and anyone else I allow to drive the car) and what the consequences could reasonably be if I, or anyone using my car, refuse to give permission for the DVLA check.