Category: Blog

The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, introduced on 3rd January 2024, is a pivotal element of the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy. It is designed to prepare vehicle manufacturers for the 2035 ban on new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles by enforcing an annual increase in electric vehicle sales. But what does this mean for manufacturers and van operators? 

What Is the ZEV Mandate? 

The ZEV mandate requires manufacturers to progressively increase their sales of electric vehicles. Here’s a quick summary: 

• Yearly Targets: Manufacturers must meet specific annual targets for zero-emission vehicle sales. They earn certificates for each zero-emission sale and must hold a certain number of these certificates by the end of each year. Failing to meet the targets incurs fines, starting at £9,000 per non-compliant vehicle in 2024 and rising to £18,000 thereafter.
  
  
• End Goal: By 2035, all new vehicle sales in the UK must be zero-emission models. This move aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions and support broader environmental goals.
  

*Targets for years’ 2031-2035 are predicted.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64537b0ffaf4aa0012e132a8/zev-mandate-co2-emissions-regulation-consultation-document.pdf 

What Does This Mean for Manufacturers? 

The ZEV mandate has raised concerns among manufacturers about potential vehicle shortages in the UK. Ford’s Martin Sander suggested that to avoid fines, Ford might limit UK sales of petrol and diesel models, potentially leading to higher prices. Similarly, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares criticised the mandate, hinting at possible reductions in UK operations. 

What Does the ZEV Mandate Mean for Van Operators? 

For van operators, the ZEV mandate brings both challenges and opportunities. Here’s how it might affect your operations: 

• Availability of Petrol and Diesel Vans: As manufacturers increasingly focus on electric vehicles, the supply of petrol and diesel vans will shrink. Some manufacturers might even require businesses to include a percentage of electric vans in their orders.
  
  
• Buying Used Vans: The mandate does not apply to used vehicles, so you can continue purchasing petrol and diesel vans now and even after 2035. However, as manufacturers stop producing new petrol and diesel vehicles, the availability of used ones will gradually decrease.
  
  
• Right Vehicle for the Job: While many businesses with medium to large fleets are already transitioning to electric vehicles to reduce running costs and meet sustainability goals, it’s important to recognise that EV’s are not always suitable for every role. For tasks involving long-distance travel or the transportation of substantial equipment, the current limitations of electric vehicle technology can present significant challenges. As the ZEV mandate is implemented, meticulous vehicle planning will become even more crucial to ensure businesses select the most appropriate vehicles for their specific needs.
  

How Can You Prepare for the ZEV Mandate? 

1. Extend the Life of Vehicles: To address potential supply restrictions, companies may need to extend the typical 4-year replacement cycle for diesel vans. This involves optimising fleet utilisation through data analysis and redistributing vehicles to balance mileage, which may lead to some driver dissatisfaction. Key strategies include extending warranties, preparing for unexpected repair costs, and following manufacturer recommendations for replacing components like cam-belts. Regular driver checks of fluid levels and tyre condition are essential as vehicles age. Proactive maintenance minimises downtime and safely prolongs the life of the vehicles.

2. Explore Alternative Manufacturers: Your regular manufacturer might not meet your needs if they hit their quota. Consider alternative manufacturers but do ensure their vehicles fit your requirements. Consultation with an independent expert on vehicle selection and suitability is advised.

3. Introduce Electric Vehicles Gradually: Identify which of your drivers are receptive to change and therefore best suited for early adoption of EVs into your fleet. Make sure you consider who has off-street parking and the ability to have a home charger. Evaluate the range and weight loads for the EVs to ensure they meet your needs.
   
   
4. Consider the Used Van Market: If transitioning to electric vehicles isn’t feasible immediately, look into the nearly-new or used van market to find suitable replacements for diesel vehicles.

5. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Everybody recognises the importance of reducing carbon emissions, but if switching to EVs is not right for your business now, there are other steps you can take. If you need to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability to win tenders and contracts, consider these alternatives: 

• Upgrade your fleet to the latest EURO standards.
• Participate in the ULEZ scrappage scheme if applicable.
• Ensure tyres are properly inflated.
• Avoid overloading vehicles and unnecessary roof racking.
• Monitor driver fuel efficiency and incentivise economical driving.
• Consider speed-limiters, although they can be controversial.

Electric Vehicles: Benefits and Considerations 

Adopting electric vehicles offers several benefits but requires careful consideration: 

• Cost Advantages: While electric vans may have a higher initial cost, they typically offer lower running costs due to cheaper electricity, fewer moving parts, and less maintenance. 

• Tender Requirements: Increasingly, tenders require suppliers to demonstrate commitment to carbon reduction, which includes integrating EVs into their fleets. 

• Incentives and Grants: The UK government provides incentives such as the Plug-in Van Grant, which offers discounts on ultra-low emission vans, ranging from £2,500 for small vans to £25,000 for large trucks. 

• Regulatory Compliance: Electric vans help comply with expanding low emission zones (LEZs) and clean air zones (CAZs), avoiding fines associated with non-compliant vehicles. 

• Environmental Impact: Switching to electric vans supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. 

How FleetCheck Can Support Van Operators 

FleetCheck optimises fleet performance with software that tracks usage, manages maintenance, and monitors repair costs. It offers data-driven insights to help determine when to transition to electric vehicles or extend the life of diesel vans.  

FleetCheck also helps you to manage costs by analysing TCO; assists in evaluating and selecting suppliers, including for electric vans; and helps find and source suitable used vehicles if full EV adoption isn’t yet feasible. 

Employers bear the responsibility of carrying out thorough checks to ensure that any individual they employ as a driver is legally compliant and competent to undertake the task.

While this seems straightforward, it’s often overlooked.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, driving without a valid licence is an offence, as is allowing someone to drive without one.

Therefore, implementing a stringent system for driver licence verification is vital in preventing the recruitment of ineligible drivers.

The most obvious and essential verifications include the confirmation of a valid driving licence, checking for any penalty points, and confirming the driver is legally eligible to operate the class of vehicle required.

These checks should also discover if drivers require corrective eyewear or if there are any health conditions that could impair their driving capabilities.

The Ramifications of Neglecting Driver Checks

Ordinarily, accumulating 12 penalty points results in a driving ban.

However, individuals can appeal in court, arguing that a revoked licence would inflict excessive hardship, thereby seeking permission to continue driving despite surpassing the point limit.

Freedom of Information (FOI) inquiries submitted to the DVLA have revealed that thousands of UK drivers are legally navigating the roads with more than the permissible 12 points on their licences.

One such probe by MotorEasy disclosed DVLA statistics (current as of April 2021) that identified 8,237 drivers exceeding 12 points, with one individual astonishingly operating with a remarkable 68 penalty points yet still driving legally!

Furthermore, information obtained from the DVLA by IAM RoadSmart (as of December 2020) indicated there were over 92,000 drivers possessing between 9 and 11 penalty points, teetering on the verge of disqualification.

A case in point of the potential hazards involves an individual who, despite accruing 54 points, persuaded a court to retain his licence to pursue employment as a mobile tyre fitter.

This decision potentially placed an employer at risk, possibly providing him with a company van and equipment valued around £40,000, without knowledge of his driving history.

Overlooking licence checks, therefore, exposes employers to such precarious hires.

What Should Initial Driver Checks Include?

At the outset of the recruitment process, the first diver checks any employer should carry out should include:

• Checking for any penalty points.
• Medical and eyesight evaluations.
• Verification of eligibility to operate the specified category of vehicle.
• Confirmation of insurance for business purposes (relevant if the individual uses a personal vehicle for work-related activities).
• Acknowledgement and agreement to company policies (as previously outlined).
• Participation in introductory training programmes.

Continual Driver Checks

After conducting the initial verifications, ensuring that your drivers possess the proper licences and are medically cleared to operate vehicles is essential.

The rationale behind not employing an unsuitable driver extends to maintaining updated checks; this ensures no one becomes a liability over time while they are under your employment.

An alarming number of drivers in the UK are stripped of their driving privileges due to various infringements, and an equally significant number relinquish their licences for health-related reasons.

Conducting routine assessments will help identify these instances before they result in an accident or worse.

It’s advisable to verify licences with the DVLA at least once a year. However, several employers adopt a more frequent scrutiny approach, especially if drivers have accrued penalty points.

Find out how you can use FleetCheck LicenceAssured to quickly and efficiently check your drivers’ licences by clicking here.

They may also establish certain benchmarks — for instance, drivers with a specific number of penalty points or those who cover extensive distances might be subjected to more frequent evaluations.

Your continuous driver checks should encompass:

• Regular Licence Reviews: This includes checks for penalty points, and assessments of eyesight, medical fitness, and vehicle category eligibility.
• Acknowledgement of Policy Updates: Ensure drivers have received and understood any amendments to the Driving For Work policies.
• Training Fulfilment: Oversee the completion of any necessary training modules.
• Accident or Incident Documentation: Maintain a record of any vehicular incidents.
• Records of Offences and Penalties: Keep track of any driving offences and fines incurred by your staff.
• Complaints and Disciplinary Measures: Document any grievances filed or disciplinary actions taken in response to driver behaviour.

The point of comprehensive driver record maintenance is to fulfil your legal responsibilities, safeguard your drivers, and protect your business following any road incidents by recording these events in real-time.

This practice is crucial, especially when disseminating policy modifications or mandating supplementary training.

For drivers operating specialist vehicles, hauling substantial cargo, or towing, these records confirm that any requisite advanced training has been administered and completed.

Continued Driver Management: It’s More Than Just Licence Checks

I want to end by reinforcing that it’s crucial to recognise that thorough documentation of driver records will help you with:

• Fulfilling your legal obligations concerning driver supervision.
• Promptly pinpointing drivers who pose a greater risk.
• Providing necessary training as and when needed.
• Keeping drivers informed about any alterations in company policies.
• Minimising potential damage to your business’s reputation.

If you’re looking for a fleet management solution that will ensure you have a safe and compliant fleet, call our team on 01666 575900 or click here to book a demo.

Drivers, fleet managers, and fleet operators have a duty to ensure all vehicles under their management are safe for driving and meet roadworthiness standards.

It’s well documented that the DVSA recommends 15 minutes to carry out a full daily check. However, as we’re going to explain in this article, robust and compliant vehicle checks can be made a lot smoother and more efficient using technology like our FleetCheck Driver app.

How Long Should a Vehicle Check Take?

The time it takes for drivers to perform a vehicle check can vary depending on the type and use of the vehicle, the driver, as well as the specific requirements set by the employer or regulatory bodies.

However, a basic daily walk-around check for commercial vehicles, which is a common practice and a legal requirement, is expected to take around 15 to 20 minutes – and it certainly shouldn’t be rushed.

Driver vehicle checks are designed to ensure that key components of the vehicle, such as brakes, tyres, lights, and mirrors, are in good working order and the vehicle is safe to drive.

Therefore, the physical task of checking a vehicle is not something fleet managers should be looking to speed up, but how quickly the checks are recorded can be sped up with technology.

Is It a Legal Requirement to Do Daily Vehicle Checks?

In the UK, it is a legal requirement for drivers of commercial vehicles to perform daily checks on their vehicles before use.

These checks are essential to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive and roadworthy.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) provides guidance on the minimum checks that should be carried out, which typically include inspecting brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and other critical components for any defects or issues that could affect the vehicle’s safety.

The purpose of these daily checks is not only to comply with legal requirements but also to enhance road safety by identifying and addressing potential issues before the vehicle is operated.

Failure to conduct these checks can result in penalties for both the driver and the company operating the vehicle.

It’s also important for companies to maintain records of these checks as part of their compliance with regulations.

How Long Is a Walk Around Check on an HGV?

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in the UK, performing a routine walk around check on an HGV should typically take around 15 minutes.

This duration ensures that drivers have sufficient time to thoroughly inspect key components of the vehicle, such as brakes, tyres, lights, mirrors, and any load or cargo, to ensure everything is secure and the vehicle is safe to operate.

However, with the development of apps like FleetCheck Driver that replace paper checks with electronic systems, performing daily checks on any vehicle is as efficient as it’s ever been.

Most importantly, FleetCheck Driver facilitates quicker inspections without compromising on thoroughness.

In fact, it provides an even more robust solution for identifying and resolving potential issues.

FleetCheck Driver includes checklists, real-time reporting, and instant notifications of issues, which not only speed up the process but also improve accuracy and record-keeping.

Whether you run a fleet of 1 or 1,000 vehicles, FleetCheck Driver is a tool that scales without adding more to your workload.

To find out more you can book a demo here or call our sales team on 01666 575900.

Holding a driving licence is not only a symbol of independence, it’s essential for millions of the UK workforce to carry out their day-to-day roles.

As drivers, we are required to ensure that our health – both physical and mental – is in a state that allows us to operate a vehicle safely and competently.

Not just for our own safety, but for the safety of others on the road. So, when a medical condition enters the equation, it can bring a host of questions and concerns.

In this article, we’re taking a look at the common medical issues and questions drivers and fleet managers have about how medical conditions affect a driver’s licence and eligibility to drive.

What medical conditions can stop you driving?

The most important thing off the top is to be aware that if you’ve developed a medical condition or disability that could affect your driving, you must tell the DVLA.

If you don’t report a condition to the DVLA that affects your driving, you can be fined up to £1,000.

In addition to this, if you’re involved in an accident as a result of your condition, you could face serious legal ramifications.

Here are some of the medical conditions that you should notify the DVLA about, either if you’ve recently developed the condition or the symptoms have worsened:

Epilepsy: If you have a seizure or are diagnosed with epilepsy, you’re typically required to stop driving and inform the DVLA. The rules depend on the type of seizures and their frequency.

Vision Problems: Certain vision problems, like not meeting the minimum eyesight standard or having a condition that affects both eyes, can seriously impact your ability to drive safely.

Heart Conditions: Certain serious heart conditions, especially those that could lead to sudden dizziness or fainting.

Neurological Conditions: Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or any other condition affecting your nervous system can impact your ability to drive safely.

Diabetes: If you are insulin-treated and have had episodes of severe hypoglycaemia, you need to inform the DVLA.

Psychiatric Disorders: Severe mental health issues that impair judgement, perception, or behavioural control.

Sleep Disorders: Conditions like severe obstructive sleep apnoea or narcolepsy, which can cause sudden sleepiness, need to be evaluated by the DVLA.

Age-Related Decline: In older adults, a combination of factors like reduced vision, hearing impairment, slower reaction times, and cognitive decline can lead to the need to surrender a driving licence.

Physical Disabilities: Physical disabilities that significantly impair the ability to control a vehicle can also be a reason.

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines and individual circumstances can vary.

The key principle is whether a medical condition affects one’s ability to drive safely.

The DVLA provides detailed guidance on various conditions and the requirements for reporting them.

Will I have to surrender my licence?

The main concern for anyone who drives for work, to commute to work, or even for personal use is losing their licence due to medical reasons.

However, if the DVLA decides to revoke a driving licence, it’s always going to be with the safety of road users in mind.

We can’t tell you if you’re going to have to surrender your licence, that will always come down to individual circumstances.

You should never let this hold you back from contacting the DVLA about a medical condition though, as the potential of causing a road accident is obviously a much worse scenario than losing your licence.

What happens when I notify the DVLA of a medical condition?

When you report a medical issue to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the UK, the following process typically unfolds:

Submission of Information: You start by filling out the appropriate form related to your specific medical condition. This form can be found on the DVLA’s website.

The form requires detailed information about your medical condition, treatment, and how it affects your ability to drive.

Review by DVLA: Once you have submitted the form, the DVLA reviews your case. This review process can vary in length, depending on the complexity of your medical condition and the clarity of the information provided.

Medical Investigations: The DVLA may contact your GP or any specialists involved in your treatment to get more information about your condition.

In some cases, they might ask you to undergo a medical examination, which could be with your own doctor or a specialist appointed by the DVLA. They might also request you to undergo a driving assessment.

Decision Making: Based on the information and medical reports, the DVLA will make a decision.

This decision can range from allowing you to retain your licence without any restrictions, to issuing a licence for a shorter period (which might require regular medical assessments), to requiring certain adaptations to your vehicle, or in some cases, revoking your licence altogether.

Notification: You will be notified of the decision in writing. If your licence is revoked or your driving privileges are altered, the letter will explain the reasons and provide information on the appeals process if you disagree with the decision.

Remember, the primary concern of the DVLA is to ensure that all drivers on the road are medically fit to drive, ensuring safety for all road users.

The process is designed to be thorough and fair, taking into account each individual’s circumstances.

Why you need a policy

Health and safety legislation requires that you risk assess all your business activities and put safe working practices in place to minimise those risks. If, for instance, we were looking at operating dangerous machinery, you would detail these safe working practices in a safe working policy document and communicate it to staff, providing training where necessary. If you didn’t do this and someone got seriously hurt, or worse, then you know there would be serious repercussions for both you and the business.

Allowing staff to drive for work is no different. There is clearly the potential for them to be injured and for them to injure others, so the risks need to be identified and managed. In short, you need a standalone policy document explaining the standards expected, you need to communicate that policy effectively to your drivers, and quite possibly to other staff as well, and you need to monitor activity to ensure the policy is being followed.

How to start writing one

Some of your policy document will be quite easy to write. You’ll need an introduction as to why the policy is necessary, and things like warning against driving while impaired through drugs and alcohol will likely be the same for most companies. However, other areas may not be quite straightforward.

It is also quite possible that you won’t know all the risks to safe driving that need to be included so a great idea is to gather your drivers together and ask them, or select representatives from each area of the business if you can’t speak to all of them. Managers often find this illuminating, with drivers complaining that they are…

being given unrealistic journey schedules encouraging them to speed,

required to carry too much equipment resulting in overloaded vehicles,

constantly being phoned by managers while driving,

having to drive too many hours on top of other work.

If you can engage your drivers when developing the policy, and ask them to help develop realistic safe working practices to help minimise the risks, you are much more likely to get their buy-in and compliance once the policy is launched.

What needs to be included

The following are the most common elements you will need to include but there may be others depending on the scope of your business operations.

Policy Statement: This explains to staff why the policy exists, what its objectives are, and why it’s important that the policy is followed. It should also mention that not following the policy may result in disciplinary action.

Who it applies to: Your policy should apply to everyone who drives for work, not just those who drive company vehicles but also those who may drive their own vehicles or rented vehicles. It should also apply to any subcontractors who may be working on your behalf.

Driver eligibility: Drivers need to be correctly licenced for the vehicle they’re driving, be medically fit, and meet eyesight requirements.

Vehicle roadworthiness: Drivers should be required to perform regular walkaround safety checks on their vehicles (daily for any van or other commercial vehicles). The company must also have a process for managing the repair of any damage or defects in a timely manner.

Safe loading: Vans must not be overloaded and any loads must be firmly and securely stowed. Of particular importance in the construction industry is the need to secure any loads carried on open-backed LCVs. Loose generators, wheelbarrows, shovels, etc, are NOT acceptable and must be secured.

Safe driving: Drivers need to follow the Highway Code at all times including keeping to the speed limits, which are often lower for vans than for cars, and maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front.

Driver distraction: Explain when it is acceptable to use a mobile phone along with detailing the risks of using other forms of distraction such as sat nav systems and other digital work devices while the vehicle is moving.  With mobile phone offences on the rise over recent years, this is an important one to get right – will you allow drivers to make calls on a handsfree device, which is legal but not necessarily safer, or will you opt to ban all calls whilst driving, which is accepted best practice but may incur pushback from some colleagues on the grounds it could harm productivity. Some of the biggest companies in the country have banned mobile phone use and seen their productivity increase! If you ban calls, you need to make sure other staff get the memo and don’t call your drivers when they know they’re on the road.

Driver impairment: Guidance on drinking and driving, illicit drug use, prescription drugs and the penalties. Many companies view any impairment-related driving offence as gross misconduct resulting in instant dismissal.

Journey planning & driver fatigue: Cover working hours and journey time, plus take account of any additional commuting time the driver may have so as not to create obvious risks of fatigue. Ensure opportunities are available for regular rest breaks and overnight stays where necessary.

What to do in an emergency: Ensure your drivers have a procedure to follow in the event of a breakdown or collision to help them take all necessary steps to deal with the emergency in a calm, safe and effective manner.

How to implement it

The first thing to do is for the senior manager that owns the policy to confirm they’re happy it covers all the business risks and then sign and date it.

Once you have your policy it needs to be communicated to everyone. You can do this through the FleetCheck system to ensure that distribution, receipt and acceptance is recorded for each driver. New drivers should be given a copy as part of their induction and the policy, along with the driver’s record over the year, should be included in any performance review. This is about their safety so it is as much an opportunity for them to voice concerns about any risk being imposed on them as it is to discuss speeding fines or a poor collision history.

Systems need to be in place to monitor compliance under each section. The most important thing here is fair and consistent application. The managing director is bound by these rules in exactly the same way as someone driving a van to site and that must be seen to be so. Letting management off the hook will be noticed and the whole project will fail.

Keeping your policy up to date

With your policy successfully implemented and monitored you can allow yourself a brief pat on the back but make sure you review your policy regularly. Changes to legislation and the Highway Code happen regularly so the policy needs to be reviewed to check whether any part of it needs updating, then signed and dated again after each review with any changes communicated out to staff.

Running vehicles can be a significant expense. Often these costs are not monitored and simply seen as the cost of doing business however, when not managed correctly, these costs be unnecessarily high damaging the profitability of your business. Poor management of drivers and vehicles can lead to excessive costs in a range of areas:

Fleet insurance

With inflation running high, the cost of insuring vehicles has been rising rapidly as the cost of parts and labour increases. Your insurance premium is normally calculated using your claims history but a discussion with your insurer can help to get things moving in the right direction.

Ask to see a breakdown of all at-fault claims to determine what sort of collisions they were and how they might be avoided in future. Running into the back of other vehicles could be a result of speeding or driving too close, while side swipes might be down to not using mirrors. Accidents while towing might be a lack of appropriate training while collisions in the evening might be down to driver fatigue.

Working with your insurer to understand how collisions occurred and how to reduce the number of similar claims in future is the best way to reduce fleet insurance. Installing vehicle telematics, using fleet management software, or providing better training could all help. Your insurer may even support you financially to do this with a contribution to new technology or a rebate on the premium if you’re able to reduce claims by a certain amount by the end of the year.

Damage repairs

Some of your damage repairs might be carried out without involving your insurance company, especially if they’re below the excess threshold. Replacing modern lights and wing mirrors can be extremely expensive. This is one reason why daily vehicle checks are so important – they pick up smaller damage and ensure drivers can be held accountable. Drivers who regularly damage wing mirrors need to be more careful – they’re costing you money.

Servicing and maintenance

Poorly managed drivers, who are prone to harsh acceleration and braking but not called out for it, can get through brakes and clutches far quicker than other, safer drivers. Not only does this cost more money for additional maintenance, it means the vehicles are off the road for longer.

Tyres

Drivers guilty of harsh braking, cornering and accelerating can get through tyres up to twice as quickly as safer drivers, costing you double for that vehicle over the year. Replacing tyres, as with additional servicing and maintenance, means your vehicles are off the road more often to be fixed, causing expensive disruption to your normal business operations.

Fuel

The cost of fuel has increased massively over the last few years and harsh driving can easily result in your vehicle’s fuel economy plummeting and your fuel spend going up by as much as 50%.

Fines and penalties

Parking fines and speeding prosecutions can often rack up if not tracked properly. These need monitoring as they are not just expensive but can be a key indicator that a driver is at a higher risk of being involved in a collision.

Managing costs

Modern fleet management software can help you manage excessive costs by easily allocating servicing, maintenance, tyres, fuel costs and fines to individual drivers and vehicles. The software reports then allow you to quickly spot an employee whose driving style is costing you money, and gives you the evidence to understand the issue and discuss improvements with your drivers.

Managing your reputation

Reputational risk is a huge concern, whether you’re serving the public or you’re part of the supply chain for a larger contractor. Everybody needs to know they’re dealing with a reputable company that provides a high-quality service delivered in a safe and professional manner. Other road users that see poor standards of driving are only too willing to share those examples on social media – highly damaging if the vehicle in question has your name and phone number emblazoned on the side.

Your future work could be at risk

In years gone by, the negative reputational impact of poor driving and badly maintained vehicles might have only been felt in the aftermath of a serious incident. Now, however, more large clients and contractors are demanding proof of good management practice when it comes to driving for work in order to reduce risk and prevent incidents happening in the first place.

Introduction

Whether you have a trade, a supervisory or management role, or deliver materials, driving for work is one of the most important parts of the job yet many of us don’t give it a second thought. It is well-established in health and safety law that a vehicle driven for work is classed as an extension of the workplace, so employers have a legal responsibility to make sure vehicles and drivers are safe. If you’re the designated health and safety professional in the business then this is even more important.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders there are now almost 5 million vans on Britain’s road and many of these are used to carry people, tools or materials to site. Government statistics show that over 35,000 people are injured each year in collisions that involve someone driving for work. The vast majority of these injuries are not the person driving – they are usually other vulnerable road users such as cyclists or pedestrians, and further studies show that vans are ten times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than cars, and more than twice as likely to be involved as a heavy goods vehicle.

Health and Safety at Work Legislation

The same legislation that requires you to provide correct PPE and training for your employees, including sub-contractors, and to ensure any tools are safely maintained, also requires you to manage any driving activities. Current Health and Safety at Work legislation requires you to:

1. Risk assess any business activities that involve driving
2. Create policies and procedures for carrying out those activities safely
3. Carry out those activities without putting your employee (the driver) at risk
4. Carry out those activities without putting other road users at risk
5. Monitor those activities to ensure they are always carried out safely
6. Keep adequate records of everything that has been done

In the event of a serious crash you may need to prove that you did all these things and took all reasonable precautions to minimise the risks.

Are you responsible? Yes!

We all know that ignorance of the law is no defence if you break the law. Management of driver safety can often be shared across a number of roles such as fleet, health & safety, operations, finance, etc. It’s easy for managers and directors to believe they don’t have any responsibility for drivers and vehicles because they may assume someone else has it covered.

If you’re reading this, the chances are you are one of the people in your organization who shares that responsibility. With that in mind, it is important that you own the responsibility and ensure others in the business are aware of the importance of managing driver and vehicle safety correctly.

Driver checks

All your drivers need to be correctly licensed to drive the vehicle they’re using and they also need to be medically fit to do so. A driving licence check will provide this information. Guidance from the government and the Health and Safety Executive says you should check driving licences on joining and periodically thereafter however many companies, in line with guidance from accreditation bodies such as CHAS and FORS, require more frequent checks. Automated, online licence-checking services are cheap and make the process of checking and record-keeping quick and painless. Driver licence checks can be done direct with DVLA through our partners at FleetCheck.

You should also check that your drivers are competent to do what you’re asking them to do and provide training where necessary – such as for towing trailers or plant behind a van.

Vehicle safety

All vehicles need to be roadworthy at all times and simply having an MOT is not enough. Around a third of vans and other light commercial vehicles fail their MOT at the first attempt so your vehicles should be checked every day before use. Safety-critical faults such as worn tyres or broken lights need to be fixed immediately. Other less serious faults need to be fixed at the earliest opportunity. You will need to keep records to prove that these checks have been done.

Driving safety standards

You can only expect safe driving when the rules are clearly laid out through a Driving for Work policy – a legally required document that must be owned by a company director. The policy lays out all the rules on company driving including the driver and vehicle checks outlined above, as well as guidance on:

• Fitness-to-drive topics such as fatigue and drug/alcohol impairment.
• Driver distraction including use of mobile phones.
• Management of driver fatigue.
• Driving to the Highway Code – including understanding that vans are often subject to lower speed limits than cars.

Once you’ve created a policy, it needs to be effectively communicated to all your drivers and reviewed annually to ensure it has kept pace with any updates to legislation or the Highway Code.

Record keeping

One of the most important elements of managing drivers and vehicles is record keeping. In the event of a serious incident, you could be asked by the investigating authorities – the police, the DVSA or the Health and Safety Executive – to prove that you had met all these requirements. Spreadsheets are fine up to a point but can easily by corrupted, lost and lead to errors when data is entered incorrectly. Accreditation services such as CHAS and FORS recommend using FleetCheck online Fleet Management Software and driver licence checking service to ensure they have the requisite audit trail of their fleet activity.

When it comes to safe driving, good eyesight is not just a requirement but a necessity.

Each time we get behind the wheel, we rely on our vision more than any other sense to guide us, react to changes, and make split-second decisions.

It’s not just about legal compliance; it’s about ensuring the safety of yourself and others.

Shockingly, it’s estimated that every year at least 2,900 casualties are caused by poor driver vision, and around 1.8 million drivers don’t meet the basic legal standard for vision.

In this post, we’re delving into the importance of making sure your eyesight is good enough for driving, we’ll cover the minimum vision standards set by authorities, and provide practical guidance on how you can assess your own eyesight to ensure you meet these vital requirements.

What is the Minimum Vision Required for Driving?

In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sets specific standards that drivers must meet.

Understanding these requirements is the first step in assessing whether your eyesight is roadworthy.

According to gov.uk at the time of publishing this, the standards for driving in the UK are:

“You must be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.

You must also meet the minimum eyesight standard for driving by having a visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary) using both eyes together or, if you have sight in one eye only, in that eye.

You must also have an adequate field of vision – your optician can tell you about this and do a test.”

Bus and Lorry Drivers

Bus and lorry drivers “must have a visual acuity at least 0.8 (6/7.5) measured on the Snellen scale in their best eye and at least 0.1 (6/60) on the Snellen scale in the other eye.

This standard can be reached using glasses with a corrective power not more than (+) 8 dioptres, or with contact lenses. There’s no specific limit for the corrective power of contact lenses.

Drivers operating these types of vehicles must have an uninterrupted horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees with an extension of at least 70 degrees left and right and 30 degrees up and down. No defects should be present within a radius of the central 30 degrees.”

How Can I Test My Vision is OK for Driving?

Regularly checking your vision is a key part of maintaining driving safety. It may even help you detect potential eye conditions early on as well.

Some organisations will have processes in place to have their drivers check their eyesight periodically, but it’s often left for drivers to take personal responsibility.

While professional eye examinations are the most reliable method, there are also simple tests you can perform at home to gauge whether your eyesight meets the basic requirements for driving.

As already mentioned, the legal requirement in the UK is being able to read a car number plate made after 1 September 2001 from 20 metres.

You can pace out the correct distance yourself and check if you can read the number plate easily without squinting or screwing up your eyes.

How Can I Check My Drivers’ Eyesight Is Good Enough?

As a fleet manager, it’s good compliance to periodically check if your driver’s eyesight meets the legal requirement.

All you need to do is have your drivers read a number plate from 20 metres and check they’re not squinting or struggling to read the plate.

If you have a driver who is struggling to read the plate, you can suggest they seek a professional assessment from an optician.

In today’s environmentally conscious era, businesses across the UK are continuously seeking ways to minimise their ecological impact.

For those managing vehicular fleets, this emphasis is even more pronounced given the transportation sector’s significant contribution to carbon emissions.

Modern technology, particularly fleet management software, offers an array of tools and insights that can play a pivotal role in shrinking a fleet’s carbon footprint.

By intertwining the need for efficiency with ecological responsibility, this software not only boosts a company’s bottom line but also contributes to a greener planet.

In this article, we’re going to explain how you can reduce your fleet’s carbon footprint while reducing costs using FleetCheck Management Software:

Why Reducing Our Carbon Footprint is Important

The urgency to address climate change has never been more palpable. Over the last century, human activities have led to unprecedented levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.

These gases trap heat and result in global warming, leading to erratic weather patterns, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.

For the UK, this manifests as increased flooding risks, heatwaves, and adverse effects on agriculture.

If left unchecked, these changes will leave lasting impacts on our environment, economy, and way of life.

For businesses, particularly those in the transport sector, reducing carbon footprints isn’t just about global responsibility.

It aligns with evolving consumer preferences for sustainable brands, upcoming regulatory mandates, and the inherent cost-savings in adopting more efficient, eco-friendly operations.

How Fleet Management Software Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Here are just five of the ways you can reduce your fleet’s carbon footprint using FleetCheck:

Optimised Routes

One of the fundamental features of fleet management software is route optimisation.

By determining the most efficient paths for vehicles, unnecessary mileage can be eliminated, leading to significant reductions in fuel consumption and, consequently, emissions.

Vehicle Maintenance Alerts

Regular maintenance ensures that vehicles operate at peak efficiency.

The software can alert managers about maintenance schedules, ensuring that issues like under-inflated tyres or engine inefficiencies, which can increase fuel consumption, are promptly addressed.

Eco-Driving Feedback

Modern fleet management systems can monitor driver behaviour, providing insights into actions like rapid acceleration or hard braking.

By educating drivers based on this data, they can adopt more eco-friendly driving habits, further reducing fuel consumption.

Idle Time Reduction

Excessive idling is a silent fuel-waster. Fleet management software can provide reports on vehicle idle times, prompting actions to reduce unnecessary engine operation and the associated emissions.

Electrification Planning

As fleets consider transitioning to electric vehicles, these software tools can help plan the shift.

By analysing routes, charging station locations, and usage patterns, businesses can make informed decisions about when and how to incorporate EVs most effectively.

In essence, fleet management software equips businesses with the data-driven insights needed to make both small tweaks and larger strategic changes.

Each adjustment, while possibly minor in isolation, can accumulate to create substantial reductions in a fleet’s carbon footprint, steering us all towards a more sustainable future.

To find out how FleetCheck can help you achieve this and more, call our sales team on  01666 575900 or click here to book a free demo.