UK chauffeurs could be risking fines up to £4,000 for using a dashcam. 

Chris Hargreaves reports…

Millions of businesses across the UK are receiving letters from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) requiring businesses to complete an online self-assessment form to see if they are liable for an annual fee.

The Data Protection (Charges and Information) Regulations 2018 requires every business that processes personal information to pay a data protection fee to the ICO of between £40 to £60 per year.

A significant number of chauffeurs who complete the survey Registration self-assessment | ICO will find themselves exempt, but will still have to complete a different form on the ICO website to confirm their exemptions Exemptions | ICO.

Whilst many chauffeurs may believe they are exempt from paying the fee, the significant rise in dashcams by chauffeurs in the UK could land them in hot water.

Any self-employed chauffeur or business that allows the use of dashcams in their vehicles are liable to pay the annual fee to the ICO, with those who don’t, facing fines up to £4,000.

Chauffeurs who store client’s personal data electronically, such as a computer or booking system may also be required to register and pay a fee. 

The first question on the self-assessment form is: ‘Do you use CCTV for the purposes of crime prevention?’ You are advised to answer ‘Yes’ to this question if you operate a dashcam on, or in your work vehicle, in the case of chauffeurs, the vehicle used to transport clients.

Answer yes to this question and it directs you straight to pay the fee without having to complete any further parts of the Data Protection self-assessment form.

Chauffeurs are being urged to check the above links to ensure you are acting legally and to help prevent expensive fines in these unprecedented times.