uberdrive.com

Day: 18 February 2025

  • February 2025 Customer Newsletter

    Welcome back to Beyond the Dashboard!

    We’re excited to share the latest updates and insights, all designed to enhance your FleetCheck experience. Let’s dive into what’s new this month.  

    In this edition:

    1. Smart Alerts: Choose When to Receive Critical Alerts

    2. Tailor Your Alerts to Fit Your Fleets’ unique Needs

    FleetCheck Essential & Pro

    Smart Alerts: Choose When to Receive Critical Alerts

    Stay ahead of your vehicle’s maintenance with automated service and cambelt alerts powered by Autodata—at no additional cost. Designed to help you stay proactive, this tool monitors key maintenance intervals and ensures you’re always informed about upcoming services specific to your vehicle. Covering 142 manufacturers and 34,000 models, it adapts to manufacturer changes, ensuring that even when service schedules or cambelt replacement intervals are adjusted from year to year, you’ll receive timely notifications. Whether it’s routine maintenance or more critical services, these alerts help prevent unexpected issues and extend the life of your vehicle with ease and accuracy.

     

    FleetCheck Professional

    Tailor your alerts to fit your fleets’ unique needs

    One of the key features of FleetCheck’s fleet management software is its ability to create tailored alerts. This functionality allows you to receive timely notifications based on the specific needs of your fleet, allowing for improved operational efficiency, compliance and costs management.

    Why Tailoring your Alerts is Important

    Every fleet is unique regarding vehicle types, usage patterns, and maintenance needs. Standard manufacturer recommendations may noy always align with real-world conditions, so a one-size-fits-all approach can lead to missed maintenance, unexpected breakdowns, or unnecessary costs. Tailored alerts ensure that potential issues are flagged before they become problems, helping to optimise the overall performance of your fleet.

     

    Use Case Examples

    MOT Reminders for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs)

    HGVs are subject to strict regulatory inspections, and finding garage availability for MOTs can be challenging especially during peak periods. If you customise how you receive certain alerts you can be notified well before MOT due dates, providing time to book services and avoid any last-minute compliance issues and limit downtime. Having advanced alerts can also help ensure maintenance is accounted for in the budget, reducing unexpected financial impact.

    High-Mileage Vehicle Servicing

    High-mileage vehicles often experience greater wear and tear, which may require more frequent servicing than manufacturer recommendations suggest. Tailored alerts can flag vehicles that exceeding mileage thresholds, ensuring that they are inspected and serviced at appropriate intervals for your business needs. This proactive approach can help prevent costly breakdowns and extend vehicle lifespan.

    Tyre Pressure or Brake Wear Alerts

    If your drivers use the FleetCheck Driver App to record vehicle issues, you can set alerts for tyre pressure or brake wear indicators based on vehicle usage and driving conditions. This improves vehicle safety, reduces fuel consumption, and avoids premature tyre replacement costs.

    How To Set Your Alerts

    • Login to your FleetCheck account
    • In the left-hand menu under My Settings look for Alert Durations
    • Here you will see the Alert Types
    • Choose the Alert Type you want to customise, then click Edit
    • Save this once you have made your amendments

  • New Updates to Driver CPC 2025: More Flexibility for Professional Drivers

    The UK Government has introduced significant changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to provide greater flexibility for drivers looking to stay qualified or return to professional driving. These updates, first introduced on 3rd December 2024 and further revised on 1st February 2025, aim to address the ongoing driver shortage in the UK by making it easier for drivers to maintain or regain their professional status.

    Changes for Returning to Professional Driving

    Previously, if a driver’s CPC had expired, they were required to complete 35 hours of periodic training before resuming work. However, as of 1 February 2025, new options are available to those whose International or National Driver CPC expired between 60 days and two years ago:

    Option 1: International Driver CPC Training

    • Complete 35 hours of International Driver CPC training.
    • Resume professional driving in the UK and EU.

    Option 2: National Driver CPC Training

    • Complete 35 hours of National Driver CPC training.
    • Resume professional driving in the UK.

    Option 3: International Driver CPC Training with a ‘Return to Driving’ Module

    • Complete a 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module.
    • Resume professional driving in the UK.
    • Complete a further 28 hours of International Driver CPC training within 12 months.
    • Resume professional driving in the EU.

    Option 4: National Driver CPC Training with a ‘Return to Driving’ Module

    • Complete a 7-hour ‘return to driving’ module.
    • Resume professional driving in the UK.
    • Complete a further 28 hours of National or International Driver CPC training within 12 months.

    Why These Changes Were Introduced

    The UK has faced a persistent shortage of professional drivers, exacerbated by multiple factors. While many refer to this as a “driver shortage,” some experts argue that the industry struggles more with retention and recruitment rather than a true lack of available drivers. Key contributing factors include:

    • Reliance on Overseas Labour & Brexit Impact: The UK historically depended on EU drivers, but Brexit led many to leave, reducing the workforce.
    • Ageing Workforce: A significant portion of professional drivers are nearing retirement age, with fewer younger drivers entering the industry.
    • COVID-19 Disruptions: The pandemic delayed around 30,000 HGV driving tests, slowing the entry of new drivers into the profession.
    • Poor Industry Conditions: Long hours, inadequate rest facilities, and low wages have discouraged new talent from joining the sector.

     Impact on Fleet and Transport Industry

    Fleet and transport managers have borne the brunt of these shortages, facing increased operational costs and reduced service reliability. Key challenges include:

    • Increased Strain on Existing Drivers: Overworked drivers face burnout, leading to higher turnover rates.
    • Rising Insurance Costs: The demand for new, less-experienced drivers has led to higher insurance premiums due to perceived increased risks.
    • Supply Chain Disruptions: Delivery delays and logistical inefficiencies impact businesses relying on timely transport, damaging customer satisfaction and business reputation.

    Strategies to Mitigate Driver Shortages

    While the recent CPC updates offer more flexibility, long-term solutions are needed to attract and retain drivers. Businesses and industry leaders can take the following steps:

    1. Invest in Driver Welfare

    • Offer competitive salaries, benefits, and training subsidies.
    • Improve working conditions, such as providing access to clean and secure rest areas.
    • Introduce flexible working hours to promote a better work-life balance.

    2. Leverage Technology

    • Implement telematics and fleet management systems to optimise routes, reduce workload, and enhance safety.
    • Use data-driven insights to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

    3. Develop Training and Recruitment Programmes

    • Partner with driving schools to create apprenticeship and mentorship programs.
    • Provide subsidised CPC training to make entry into the industry more accessible.

    Final Thoughts

    As someone who’s been in the transport industry 20 years, I see the recent updates to the Driver CPC system as a great step towards making professional driving more accessible and flexible. This could really help with some of the workforce challenges we’re facing here in the UK. But honestly, to keep our driving workforce stable and sustainable, we need to go further. We need broader industry reforms, better working conditions, and smart investment in recruitment and retention.

  • FleetCheck has been shortlisted for Fleet News Technology Provider of the Year 2025

    FleetCheck is thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Fleet News Technology Provider of the Year 2025. This recognition highlights our dedication to meeting and exceeding the needs of fleet customers through our innovative fleet management software solutions.

    The award honours technology providers that demonstrate:

    • Innovative solutions that address real-world challenges
    • A willingness to create bespoke solutions
    • Outstanding customer service and proven results

    Our nomination reflects our continuous investment in the fleet industry and our drive to provide valuable, reliable and safety-first services to our customers. Over the past year, we have rolled out many new features and enhancements that have helped fleet operators reduce costs, improve compliance, and boost efficiency.

    What sets us apart?

    • Customer-First Approach: we’ve built our platform with customers feedback in mind, constantly adapting to meet their evolving needs
    • Case Studies: Our work with clients has delivered measurable improvements in fleet performance, showcased through out testimonials and case studies. Take a look at some of our customers success stories
    • Innovation: FleetCheck continues to stay ahead of industry trends with new developments that always aim to simplify fleet management

    We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to our customers and partners for their continued trust and support. Stay tuned for updates on the award announcement, and thank you for being part of the FleetCheck journey.

  • Range extenders could solve “tough” fleet electrification issues, says FleetCheck

    News that some motor manufacturers are working on new range extender (REx) models could be a step towards potentially solving “tough” fleet electrification issues, says FleetCheck.

    Ford and Stellantis are among those reported to be developing REx versions of larger SUVs and pick-ups, having found full electric versions expensive to bring to market, and also offer a solution to range limitations.

    Peter Golding, managing director, said: “In terms of stepping stone models between ICE and electric cars and vans, the motor industry has tended to go down the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) route and in some respects, they’ve not been the best solution.

    “The problem with PHEVs, as many fleet managers will attest, is that it’s easy for drivers to never bother to charge them unless they are closely monitored, effectively using them as an ICE vehicle. Leasing companies sometimes receive them back with the charging cable still in its wrapper.

    “For some employees, they’ve been a route to access lower benefit in kind taxation while often actually polluting and using more fuel than a petrol or diesel equivalent because the weight of a little used electric drivetrain is being carried around.

    “In contrast, REx vehicles are electric first and make sense where their ICE capacity is designed to offer enough reassurance to offset issues surrounding range. For fleet applications where electrification is proving tough – such as pick-ups, proper offroad 4x4s and larger vans – they could offer a genuine bridge until a time when charging infrastructure, and battery technology and pricing, improves to the point that an electric vehicle becomes practical.”

    Peter said that for there to be a move towards RExs in these categories however, some form of government recognition and support would be needed.

    “The new Ford and Stellantis vehicles being engineered appear largely aimed at the US market but no doubt the technology could be adapted for use in Europe if there was sufficient demand. It could potentially make an impact if applied to larger panel vans, which remains probably the most prominent, difficult-to-solve area of electrification.

    “We know from measures in the latest Budget that the government is moving against PHEVs in both benefit in kind and vehicle excise duty terms, and our understanding is that RExs are classified for taxation purposes in the same way, so there would probably have to be some changes to create a situation where manufacturers are encouraged to introduce them.”