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Category: Learning Library

  • Avoid Hefty Fines: Get Ready for 2026 EU Tachograph Rules for LCVs

    Join Our Webinar:
    Avoid Hefty Fines

    Get Ready for 2026 EU Tachograph Rules for LCVs

    Date: Tuesday 23rd September 2025
    Time: 10:00 AM

    Details

    From July 2026, new tachograph rules will apply to LCVs operating internationally. 

    Under the EU Mobility Package, if you run vans over 2.5 tonnes across Europe or Ireland for hire or reward, your vehicles must be fitted with Smart Tachograph Version 2.

    This session will be essential in equipping you with the tools to do this, so you can remain legal and avoid non-compliance and fines.  

    Why Attend?

    This short session will give you access to expert insight from VDO, Europe’s leading tachograph providers, so you can prepare for the changes ahead.

    What You Will Learn

    • What the EU Mobility Package is and why LCVs are coming into scope
    • Compliance steps you need to take ahead of July 2026
    • Guidance on smart tachograph implementation
    • Live Q&A with industry experts to answer your specific questions
    • Access to the full webinar recording and supporting materials .

    Don’t wait until 2026. It will come faster than you think. Prepare now and avoid costly mistakes later on.

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    Meet Your Hosts

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    Barrie Wilson

    The Commercial Fleet Consultant at FleetCheck brings 20 years of expertise in transport and operator licence compliance, HGV operations, and fleet management. A Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, and a Member of the Association of Road Risk Managers, Barrie has held key roles at Logistics UK – where he contributed to the success of the Van Excellence scheme – and as a Transport and Compliance Manager for a national haulage company.

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    Stuart West

    Product Manager at Continental Automotive Trading UK Ltd (soon to be Aumovio Trading UK Ltd), brings extensive automotive industry experience across all vehicle markets, from cars to commercial vehicles and off-highway/industrial applications. Having managed diverse product portfolios throughout his career, Stuart now focuses on product management, marketing and business development for the VDO brand’s tachograph ecosystem – encompassing both software and hardware solutions for workshops, fleet operators and drivers.

  • Driver Roadworthiness: The FleetCheck Practical Guide

    Ensuring your drivers are roadworthy is a core responsibility for all fleet managers. It directly impacts safety, compliance, and reliability. When driver fitness is managed effectively, risks decrease, incidents decline, and your fleet runs more efficiently.

    This series provides practical, evidence-based guidance on building a robust driver roadworthiness programme. Each article addresses a critical component of driver management, offering clear actions that fleet operators can implement immediately.

    Each article is designed for fleet managers, transport operators and safety leads who need actionable insight, not theory. The focus is on practical implementation, regulatory alignment, and real-world impact. Together, they form a comprehensive roadmap to a safer, efficient and more compliant fleet.

    Here’s what you’ll gain from each piece:

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    Beyond Vehicle Checks – Why Driver Roadworthiness Matters

    Driver fitness is a legal and operational requirement. This article outlines why physical, mental and emotional wellbeing must be treated with the same rigour as vehicle inspections. You’ll learn how integrating driver assessments into daily work life strengthens safety outcomes and improves organizational reputation.
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    Proactive vs Reactive – A Modern Approach to Driver Health Monitoring

    Waiting for a health issue to surface can lead to avoidable incidents and costly downtime. This article details of systematic monitoring, like licence checks, medical declarations, and early warning signs, enable early intervention. The result: few disruptions and greater control over fleet risk.
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    From Compliance to Care – How to Manage Drive Fatigue

    Fatigue is a leading contributor to at-risk driving. This article sets out the requirements and daily reality of managing driver hours. You’ll learn how to identify fatigue early, support drivers effectively and embed rest protocols that work in real-world conditions.
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    From Policy to Practice – The Road to Compliance

    A policy only has value if it’s followed. This article walks through the steps to implement a living roadworthiness programme. From risk assessment and manager training to technology use. It shows how to move from documentation to consistent action.
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    Data-Driven Decisions – Using Tachographs to Improve Driver Safety

    Tachograph data is a powerful tool for insight and compliance. This article demonstrates how to analyse driver behavior trends to identify coaching opportunities and reduce risk before it occurs.
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    Fit to Drive – How Wellness Impacts Safety and Compliance

    Sustainable performance starts with driver wellbeing. This article explores how factors like stress, hydration, and musculoskeletal health affect driving ability. You’ll discover practical, low-cost initiatives that support long-term fitness to drive and reinforce a culture of care.
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  • The Truth About Rising Insurance Costs and How Fleet Managers Can Take Control

    Increasing premiums have been on the rise in the UK, and as fleets grapple with these increasing costs, understanding the causes and exploring strategies to mitigate them is essential.

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    Why Are Insurance Premiums Rising?

    • Increased Road Accidents – More vehicles on the road means more accidents.
    • Inflation & Repair Costs – Advanced vehicle technology increases repair costs.
    • Fraudulent Claims – Crash-for-cash scams and inflated claims drive up premiums.
    • Vehicle Theft – Over 61,343 vehicles were stolen in the UK in 2024, impacting insurance rates.
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    How Can You Take Control? 

    • Identify & Manage Risks – Use claims data to pinpoint high-risk areas. 
    • Driver Training & Incentives – Encourage safer driver through training and bonus schemes. 
    • Technology Solutions – Dashcams can dispute claims, and trackers can prevent theft. 

    For some, increasing your excess can also lower your premiums, although it depends on your insurer and claims history. Some insurers may offer discounts for higher excess contributions. While the savings may not be immediate, it can benefit the industry-wide claims pool, potentially impacting long-term pricing. 

    How Can You Reduce Your Premium? 

    • Regular Policy Reviews – Ensure adequate coverage without overpaying. 
    • Monitor Claim Frequency & Procedures – Proactive management can prevent excessive claims. 
    • External Factors – Consider road conditions and operational risks. 

    Is There Any Truth To The ‘Golden Hour’? 

    Prompt claims reporting can help reduce inflated costs, with delays likely to increase final claim amounts. Insurance companies place great importance on how quickly individuals report an incident – ideally within the first hour.  

    This is where technology becomes a vital tool for drivers, enabling them to gather and share all key details effortlessly: the other driver’s and vehicle’s information, exact location, date and time, witness details, attending officer’s name, and more. A structured process helps ensure all necessary information is captured, reducing reliance on memory and minimising the risk of forgetting or overlooking details that could support a claim.

    By investing in fleet management technology, to implementing risk management practices and driver training, you can not only protect against future premium hikes and reduce insurance costs, but also enhance the safety and efficiency of your fleet operations. 

     

  • The 2025 Diesel Van Shortage: How the ZEV Mandate Will Impact Your Fleet

    Why the ZEV Mandate Could Mean Running Your Diesel Vans Much Longer

    Curious about how the drive for Electric Vehicles (EVs) could impact your fleet? In this whitepaper, we dive into why you might need to keep your diesel vans running longer than expected.

    Explore the implications of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate and discover strategies to manage an ageing fleet effectively amidst rising costs and the 2025 diesel van shortage. Packed with insights on preventative maintenance, defect management, and staying compliant, download now to future-proof your fleet and stay ahead of the curve.

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    A Return to 1960s Cuba?

    Consider Cuba, full of classic American cars from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s when they were imported in huge numbers. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, new president Fidel Castro banned the import of American cars and mechanical parts. In response, the United States imposed a complete embargo on all exports to Cuba (with the exception of food and medicine), in 1690.

    This restriction on supply meant Cubans had to get creative. To keep their old Fords and Chevrolets running, mechanics were forced to replace broken engines, gearboxes and other parts with those from scrapped Russian Ladas and Volgas. Thanks to their ingenuity, many of these cars – now seven or eight decades old – are still in use today.

    65 years on from that embargo, and 2024 marked the first year of the Zero-Emission-Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate.

    Might we be seeing the beginning of a similar situation in the world of company-operated vans? How would your business adapt if purchasing new diesel vans became impossible and the second-hand market dried up due to excessive demand? How long could you continue to run an ageing, higher-mileage fleet?

    Well, that is what might be coming, as demand for EVs lags far behind manufacturer expectations and government targets. If supply tightens, companies may soon face a new reality – one where keeping old vans on the road is the only option.

    What’s the ZEV Mandate?

    The Zero-Emission-Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which came into law on January 3rd 2024, sets the government’s pathway to ensuring all new cars and vans are zero-emission by 2035. It dictates the minimum proportion of vehicle sales that must be electric each year, as we move closer to the target.
    However, many businesses feel electric vans currently don’t suit their needs. This could be due to factors such as acquisition costs, limited range, load capacity issues, or insufficient charging infrastructure.

    For example, if your EV needs to travel long distances to reach large construction sites, there may be no available power or charging infrastructure for the return journey. Similarly, electric delivery vans might not be able to carry the same load or complete as long routes as their diesel counterparts, meaning additional vehicles would be required to maintain operational capacity.

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    Electric Van Sales Targets and Registrations

    The sales targets outlined in the ZEV Mandate require that 10% of all van sales be electric in 2024, 16% in 2025, with incremental increases each year through to 2035.

    Under the ZEV mandate, manufacturers face a fine of £18,000 for every non-compliant Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) van sold. Unfortunately, demand for electric vans in 2024 fell far short of expectations, putting manufacturers in a difficult position, with some even threatening to pull out of the UK altogether.

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    Compliance Challenges & Manufacturers Response

    In 2023, total new Light Commercial Van (LCV) registrations reached 341,455. This number increased slightly in 2024, with 353,480 new LCV registrations, reflecting a continued strong demand for vans. However, despite this, Battery Electric Vehicles’ (BEV) share remained unchanged at just 6.3%.

    There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that this figure was artificially inflated, as manufacturers rushed to meet compliance targets and reduce potential fines. Stories of heavy EV discounting late in the year – as much as 30-40% – were commonplace, alongside stories of strategic delays in diesel van deliveries and registrations until 2025. This has left manufacturers on the back foot heading into the new year.

    In 2025, 16% of each manufacturer’s van sales must be electric. Yet, demand remains static, with the share of BEVs (including vans between 3.5-4.25t) stuck between 5-6% for two consecutive years.

    If total LCV demand for 2025 remains constant, and demand for electric vans continues at 6.3%, then manufacturers will face a critical shortfall. With only 22,155 electric van sales projected for the year, against a 16% target of over 56,500, penalties will apply to almost 35,000 non-qualifying vehicles. At £18,000 per unit, this equates to potential industry-wide fines of well over £600 million.

    We cannot push vehicles into the market against demand
    Martin Sander
    Head of Ford Model e Europe

    But this issue extends beyond just the van market.

    With similar challenges in the car market, it’s hardly surprising that manufacturers have been pressuring the government and exploring strategies to avoid these fines. Throughout 2024, there were some very strong statements of intent:

    At a Financial Times conference in May 2024, executives from Ford, Stellantis and VW, collectively responsible for over two thirds of UK van sales, said that they would not pay penalties for exceeding ICE vehicles sales in the UK. Instead, if they cannot sell enough EVs, they will limit ICE and hybrid availability – reducing supply and likely driving up prices.

    Martin Sander, head of Ford’s European EV division emphasised that the company “cannot push vehicles into the market against demand,” and that “the only alternative is to take shipments of ICE vehicles to the UK down and sell them somewhere else.” He added “I don’t know if consumers will like seeing the ICE prices going up.”

    At an SMMT event in June 2024, Stellantis’ UK managing director raised the stakes even further, suggesting it might pull out of UK van production altogether, due to ZEV mandate pressures. With Stellantis van brands including Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, and Fiat, losing them, alongside Ford and VW, would have a huge impact on vehicle availability in the UK. By the end of November 2024, Stellantis had announced plans to close its van plant at Luton, citing the ZEV mandate as a key factor. Following this decision, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said the ZEV mandate could cost manufacturers £6billion in 2024 alone.

    Stellantis’ actions underscore the reality: these senior executives aren’t bluffing.

    If BEV demand remains at 6.3% in 2025, with a mandated target of 16%, manufacturers would be forced to cap ICE van sales at 138,000 – creating a staggering supply shortfall of 215,000 vans.

     

    2025 – An Uncertain Future

    With January’s figures for LCV registrations now in, we can see this starting to play out. BEV demand came in higher at 7.6% for the month, but if you look a little deeper, you’ll see that doesn’t equate to a sudden enthusiasm for EVs. Total registrations of electric vans in January 2025 were still just 1,464, only up from 1,302 in January 2024. The more surprising figure was the 25% drop in diesel registrations, down from over 22,000 in January 2024 to just 16,599 in January 2025. We spoke to some of our clients to provide some insight.

    One fleet, with around 200 vans (mostly Ford Transits), shed some light on their position. Normally looking to replace around 20-30 vans at a time, they’ve bought only a handful out of necessity. It turns out that Ford’s warning has become the new reality: heavy discounting of electric vans is being offset by big price rises and reduced discounts on diesel vans. Electric vans don’t suit this fleet’s requirements for the reasons outlined above, and they’re not prepared to pay the increased prices demanded for new diesels. The result? They’re waiting to see what happens, with new purchases on hold.

    Other fleets are telling us similar stories.

    With the ZEV target for 2026 even tougher at 24%, a continued heavy discounting on electric vans to try stimulating demand seems likely. However, for businesses that rely on diesel vans, availability could become a major challenge.

    The real question is: how will YOU respond?

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    Maintaining An Older, High Mileage Fleet

    Larger fleet operators traditionally replaced their vans every 3-5 years. Now, however, that timeline has stretched to 6-8 years, as many operators look to sweat those assets harder. Similarly, many smaller fleets, who often bought used or nearly new vans from leasing and rental companies or auctions, and ran them for 5-10 years, are now starting their cycles with vans that are already 6-8 years old.

    With a possible supply shortfall of new vans in 2025 that could be in the region of 200,000 units, larger operators will likely keep their existing vehicles for much longer and may even turn to the second-hand market for used vans – if they can get hold of them. As we saw earlier, fleets that would have bought new vans already are holding back. The result has been a 25% drop in new diesel LCV registrations for January 2025 over January 2024.

    This means less vans are coming into the used van market, with the supply channels of used vehicles for the smaller fleets likely to dry up, much like what happened at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for home delivery surged unexpectedly.

    As a result, regardless of fleet size, effective preventive maintenance will become vital to guard against unplanned vehicle downtime due to mechanical breakdown and the inevitable service disruptions that follow.

    Let’s examine some of the new issues operators could face, starting with evaluating your maintenance regime.

    Larger fleet operators traditionally replaced their vans every 3-5 years. Now, however, that timeline has stretched to 6-8 years, as many operators look to sweat those assets harder. Similarly, many smaller fleets, who often bought used or nearly new vans from leasing and rental companies or auctions, and ran them for 5-10 years, are now starting their cycles with vans that are already 6-8 years old.

    Routine Servicing, Maintenance and Repair (SMR)

    Ensuring proper routine servicing and maintenance is the first step.

    Fleets that didn’t previously need to worry about timing belts, for instance, will now need to incorporate them into their regular schedules. Belts on a Vauxhall Vivaro for example need changing every 5 years.

    Some operators may have previously defleeted vehicles before the belt change was due, but now they’ll need to factor this into their routine SMR schedules. In the future, they may even need to replace the belts twice before the vehicle is defleeted.

    There could also be ‘end of life’ issues for other items, such as perishable seals, further increasing operators’ annual costs for routine SMR. Manufacturer recalls – common for brakes, fuel systems, and airbags – will become more problematic if ignored or delayed. Additionally, MOT advisory notes will likely become more common, as vans are kept for longer. Failure to fix these issues promptly will lead to even more severe problems down the line.

    Neglecting regular maintenance will also start to impact the annual cost of consumables such as tyres, brakes, oil, and fuel, as vehicles become less efficient over time.

    The demand for replacement parts may strain availability, making timely booking for SMR services crucial to understanding parts supply. Fleets may even start to collect used vehicles or keep older vehicles in the fleet solely for spare parts – a practice some companies do already!

    Defect management

    Having a strong pe-use vehicle check policy will help ensure that small problems are identified and addressed before they can escalate into bigger issues.

    • Underinflated tyres increase fuel consumption and compromise handling
    • Damaged tyres can lead to dangerous blowouts
    • Oil leaks can result in catastrophic engine failure
    • A chipped windscreen can quickly turn into a full replacement, requiring off-site re-calibration for ADAS radars and lidars

    Pre-use defect checks are a vital part of your duty of care to both drivers and other road users, but they will also become an essential part of simply keeping older, high-mileage vehicles on the road.

    Record Keeping and Data Collection

    Keeping on top of routine SMR and defect management is going to generate lots of valuable data, helping to identify wear and tear trends across vehicles and drivers. This data allows fleet managers to track economic viability, prioritise vehicle replacement when necessary, and maintain roadworthy assets efficiently.

    To ensure an effective defect management policy, ask yourself:

    • Do your drivers know what to check and how to report defects?
    • Are defects rectified promptly?

    Just having policies in place isn’t enough – following and enforcing them consistently is key. Accurate record-keeping, reporting, and data analysis will place a crucial role in keeping your fleet on the road.

    Budget Pressure

    The new government’s first budget in the autumn of 2024 saw significant costs added to businesses, through national insurance hikes. With many companies already under pressure, there is a natural temptation to cut costs elsewhere.

    Whilst cost control is generally a sound strategy, reducing spending on vehicle maintenance could prove to be short-sighted. Preventive maintenance will be the key to ensuring your sales teams, delivery drivers, and service engineers stay on the road.

    Aging, high mileage vans are a safety risk to both your drivers and other road users, and they represent a financial risk to your business. Cutting back on servicing and maintenance due to budget constraints leads to unsafe vans – and unsafe vans crash and break down.

    Beyond safety concerns, your approach to vehicle maintenance could impact on your ability to maintain existing contracts and win new work. For instance, many clients are now demanding evidence of good road risk management from their suppliers. This trend is already visible in road and rail construction, and certain areas of public procurement, and is only expected to grow.

    With poorly maintained fleets more prone to breakdowns and unplanned maintenance, clients will increaingly prioritise reliable suppliers. No company is going to want a supply chain at the mercy of unreliable vehicles. In this way, standards such as the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) are going to become more important, setting benchmarks for compliance and best practice.

    For larger operators, ESG Scope 3 standards require businesses to report supply chain emissions. Some companies have already started radically reducing their supply chain to simplify these reporting requirements.

    For supplier companies that are unable to switch fully to EVs, those with poor compliance management and reporting systems are going to be the easiest to cull. This will likely mean that what is considered good practice now, is going to become the minimum acceptable standard going forward.

    To Recap

      Stick to manufacturer servicing recommendations
      Action any vehicle recall notices promptly
      Implement a policy for pre-use checks and defect management
      Ensure drivers have been trained on pre-use checks properly
      Monitor compliance with policy – don’t let pre-use checks slip!
      Analyse maintenance costs by vehicle and driver, and act on those trends

     

    By following these steps, you’ll give your fleet the best chance of remaining safe, efficient, and roadworthy for many years more than previously expected.

    And remember – no customer wants to do business with a company that looks like it belongs on the streets of Havana.

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    How FleetCheck can help

    With FleetCheck you can ensure your fleet is as safe and efficient as possible, however old your vehicles are.

    FleetCheck Driver

    The First Step to Proactive Maintenance

    FleetCheck Driver streamlines vehicle inspections, ensuring real-time defect reporting and reducing paperwork. Drivers can report issues instantly, providing the first line of defense in maintaining vehicle safety and efficiency.

    With features like:
    Customisable daily vehicle checksheets
    Instant photo evidence of damage and defects
    Mileage collection for SMR schedules
    Inspection reminders and missed-check alerts
    Fit-to-drive declarations and driver support tools

    FleetCheck Professional

    A Complete Fleet Management Solution

    While FleetCheck Driver is a powerful starting point, FleetCheck Professional takes fleet maintenance to the next level. Designed for mixed fleets with advanced needs, it helps streamline operations, automate processes, and build efficiency.

    With in-depth tools to track:
    Total cost of ownership
    Manufacturer maintenance schedules
    Service history and upcoming SMR requirements
    Fuel usage, vehicle downtime, and repair trends
    Cam belt changes, tyre replacements, and wear & tear tracking

  • Using Spreadsheets

    We’ve seen some fantastic spreadsheets used to manage a fleet, but as your fleet grows, you will outgrow the functionality of spreadsheets.

    The problems with using spreadsheets don’t just stop at functionality, and they’re not great for compliance, data security, and some other areas of fleet management.

    Some of the challenges we commonly see fleet managers using spreadsheets struggle with are:

    • It can be hard to find essential data quickly
    • There is a need for multiple spreadsheets to cover training, licence checking, etc
    • It’s very easy to overwrite files or corrupt data
    • There is a human error element that can easily be missed
    • There is a vulnerability when opening up sharing access
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    If you’re currently using Excel spreadsheets, how confident are you that you have a robust audit trail?

    Excel doesn’t provide users with a robust audit trail, so you’re likely using some form of third-party software further complicating things.

    FleetCheck enables you to move away from spreadsheets and paper trails while maintaining compliance.

    Our software has an intuitive interface, provides you with a robust dashboard notifying you of key dates and KPIs, sends you alerts so you don’t miss anything, integrates with many other useful apps, and more.

    If you’d like to find out more about FleetCheck and how you can move from spreadsheets to our software while saving time and money, please feel free to get in touch with a member of our team by using this form or calling our office on 01666 577928.

  • FleetCheck solutions

    As a fleet manager, you have endless responsibilities. There’s a lot to manage from the driver, vehicle, and licence checks to daily vehicle inspections.

    It’s not just managing all the moving parts of managing a fleet that can be challenging; staying compliant is also challenging.

    Keeping accurate and thorough records is essential, as is using the right software and tools to speed up your admin while ensuring you’re compliant.

    Here is a look at some of the additional services that integrate with FleetCheck and are designed to help fleet managers save time, energy, and money:

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    FleetCheck Driver

    FleetCheck Driver is our electronic driver vehicle checking app. Traditionally, vehicle checks have been done using paper, with drivers manually checking off items and notifying fleet managers if there are any defects by dropping off a sheet.

    FleetCheck Driver removes the entire paper trail involved with driver checks. Everything is done electronically so you can be notified immediately if something needs attention.

    You can also set up notifications so you’ll be made aware if something needs or hasn’t been done.

    We also have our “Fit to drive declaration” within FleetCheck Driver. This is a declaration template you can send to drivers electronically for them to fill out, making it clear they’re fit to drive.

    You can also use FleetCheck Driver to record fuel purchases. An added benefit of this is if your driver cannot use a fuel card for any reason, they can still use the app to record their fuel purchase.

    This doesn’t just apply to fuel purchases; your drivers can also record Adblue top-ups. If you’re a FORS operator, you need to demonstrate that you’re keeping a record of it.

    Another feature of FleetCheck Driver that is helping fleet managers streamline and speed up their processes is the ability to send push notifications and documents.

    This means you can send and receive documents electronically, such as driving-to-work policies, drivers’ handbooks, risk assessments, etc.

    Not only can you send documents, but you can make it mandatory that your drivers action the documents you’re sending them.

    We made it so that drivers are required to answer questions regarding whether or not they have read a document and understand it. You’ll receive their answers electronically, saving a lot of time and hassle.

    FleetCheck LicenceAssured

    The days of checking paper driver’s licences are long gone, it’s been digital for a while.

    However, it’s still common practice for a driver to go online and request a code for their fleet manager to check their licence that way.

    This can still be time-consuming, especially with a large fleet.

    FleetCheck LicenceAssured is a bolt-on service that integrates with FleetCheck and links directly with the DVLA.

    Using FleetCheck LicenceAssured we will notify you if anything changes with any of your drivers’ licences, saving you time and energy manually checking licences.

    FleetCheck Technician

    FleetCheck technician allows you to conduct your electronic check sheets. This tool enables you to remove paper-based tasks, saving you time and money.

    By setting up electronic inspection check sheets, you won’t have to save, print, and work with any paper documents.

    It works in real-time, too, so you can track the progress of inspections as it’s happening. FleetCheck Technician is DVSA compliant and validated for DVSA’s Earned Recognition Scheme.

    If you’d like to learn more about FleetCheck and how our additional services can save you time and money, please feel free to contact a team member by using this form or calling our office on 01666 577928.

  • Fleet Confidence Challenge

    Here at FleetCheck, along with Driving For Better Business, we’ve created the Fleet Confidence Challenge.

    This challenge is aimed at anyone who manages vehicles and drivers, particularly in the light commercial vehicle sector and car space.

    The Fleet Confidence Challenge will help you to identify;

    • How you can assess what your drivers are doing
    • If you have the right policies and procedures in place
    • If you’re up-to-date with current laws and legislation
    • If you’re doing everything you should be doing to ensure your drivers are safe
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    We designed this challenge to help fleet operators understand if they’re doing all the right things and to help bridge any gaps in your policies.

    So, why should you take the challenge?

    • It’ll help you better understand your duty of care to yourself, your organisation, your drivers, and the members of the public
    • It’ll help you to understand how you should assess your drivers
    • It’ll help you understand the current laws and regulations
    • Ultimately, it’ll help you understand if you’re doing everything you should be doing as a fleet operator to comply with the law and ensure your fleet is as safe as it can be

    The Fleet Confidence Challenge will give you peace of mind that you’re doing the right things or how you can make changes within your organisation.

    Don’t risk falling foul of the law, don’t risk incurring fines, take The Fleet Confidence Challenge and have confidence in what you’re doing!

    If you’d like to learn more about The Fleet Confidence Challenge or how we can help here at FleetCheck, please feel free to contact a team member by using this form or calling our office on 01666 577928.

     

  • Driver safety management

    There are a number of laws and various legislation you need to comply with when managing drivers.

    Let’s start with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act states that you need to assess the risk to your business, your fleet, to members of the public, and where possible you need to manage that risk.

    Another legislation you need to be aware of is the Management of Health and Safety at Work Act 1999. This regulation was introduced to make sure businesses conduct risk assessments, identify potential hazards, and control any hazards.

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    An effective risk assessment should cover all aspects of managing risk. That includes the driver, the vehicle, and the journey.

    It’s important to remember that your work vehicles are an extension of your workplace and are your driver’s main place of work.

    You need to have watertight processes in place to ensure your drivers have the correct licence for the type of vehicle they’re driving.

    How confident are you that you have watertight procedures in place to ensure that your drivers and vehicles are safe and legal?

    Some of the key factors you should always consider are:

    Driver experience – how much do you know about how experienced your drivers are?

    Driver health – have you checked if your drivers have any of the 200+ underlying health conditions that need to be disclosed to the DVLA?

    Fit-to-drive policies – do you have a daily declaration procedure to ensure your drivers are fit to drive?

    Driver licences – are you checking your drivers’ licences regularly? Are you keeping a closer eye on high-risk drivers?

    Assessing Driver Behaviour

    Your drivers are your first line of defence to make sure your vehicles are safe and roadworthy, and to make sure they’re driven legally.

    This is why it’s essential to have an effective driver’s handbook. All of your dos and don’ts and driver best practices should be covered in it.

    This is where robust record-keeping is essential. Your drivers should sign something to say they’ve read and understand the handbook.

    You need to keep these records to prove, in the event of something going wrong, that you’ve taken all practical steps to ensure your drivers are safe and legal.

    It’s also crucial that you keep your handbooks and policies up to date with legislative changes.

    In 2022 alone there have been several changes, most notably the introduction of Rule H1, also known as the “hierarchy rule”.

    Driver Training

    Driver training is crucial in driver safety and assessing risk within your fleet. Before letting anyone behind the wheel of one of your vehicles you need to be sure they’re fit to drive.

    You should conduct periodic driving assessments. This will enable you to spot changes in driver behaviours and identify high-risk drivers.

    Monitoring telematics data will also give insights into driver behaviour, such as harsh braking, breaking the speed limit, and other erratic behaviours.

    Training and assessing drivers on a regular basis will also have a positive impact on fuel spending and vehicle maintenance, making a noticeable difference in profitability.

    If you’d like to find out more about FleetCheck or chat about how we can help and support you, please feel free to get in touch with a team member by using this form or calling our office on 01666 577928.

  • Data Security

    Within the fleet sector, there is much personal information you’re likely to collect, so understanding and adhering to data security laws and regulations is crucial.

    You need to ensure you have robust security when it comes to collecting and storing personal data.

    FleetCheck allows you to store all of your fleet and employee data electronically. We’re fully GDPR compliant and ISO 27001, which are the reassurances you should look for in a fleet management software provider.

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    What Do You Need to Remain Compliant?

    It is mandatory to check your driver’s licences to ensure they’re eligible and legally able to drive the vehicles they’re operating.

    When doing so, you will be collecting much personal information. You’ll need consent forms in place to do this and an outline in your driver’s handbook of how this information is being handled.

    Consent Forms

    There is a lot of personal and sensitive information you’ll be storing about your drivers, such as their age, address, date of birth, and drivers’ licence number, to name a few things.

    You need to consider who will have access to that data, how it will be stored, and the procedures you have in place for handling the data.

    All of this should be made clear on a consent form given to your employees, so they’re comfortable signing it over.

    Storing Data

    Storing personal data manually using paper is challenging to manage and maintain a robust and secure system.

    This is where fleet management software like FleetCheck comes into its own to make your life easier and, more importantly, ensure that all of your driver’s data is secure and handled correctly.

    If you’d like to find out more about FleetCheck or chat about how we can support your data security processes, please feel free to get in touch with a team member by using this form or calling our office on 01666 577928.

  • Defect Management

    It’s an offense under the Road Traffic Act of 1988 to operate a vehicle on a public highway with a defect that could affect how roadworthy it is.

    As a fleet manager or operator, how confident are you that all of your vehicles are roadworthy?

    Do all of your vehicles have a pre-use inspection check daily?

    Do you get a report sent directly into your fleet management software from your drivers after they carry out daily checks?

    If not, you will benefit from FleetCheck Driver.

    FleetCheck Driver is our fully integrated, customisable vehicle walkaround defect checking app that integrates with our FleetCheck Fleet Management Software.

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    Carrying Out Pre-Use Checks

    In the HGV sector, it’s a requirement that on a daily basis drivers check their vehicles with a pre-use check.

    A pre-use check is a simple and effective way to identify potentially dangerous defects and other issues with a vehicle before it becomes a problem.

    There are numerous benefits to carrying out pre-use checks; namely, you’re able to potentially prevent road accidents, it’s going to save you money in the long run, and most importantly, your vehicles are on the road lawfully.

    Penalties for Defective Vehicles

    If a driver is stopped on the road and the vehicle they’re driving is found to have a defect, that driver could be issued with a graduated fixed penalty.

    Graduated fixed penalties mean the number of points they’re issued can vary depending on the circumstances or the severity of the offence.

    Record Keeping

    How is your record-keeping? When it comes to fleet compliance, it’s not what you say you’re doing, it’s what you can prove you’re doing.

    Having evidence that drivers have performed a pre-use check of their vehicle, reported any defects, and having the processes in place to document any maintenance carried out on the vehicle is essential.

    Check MOT Reports

    Another way to identify defects is to check your MOTs and address any advisories flagged by the MOT tester.

    If you don’t do something about an advisory and it leads to bigger issues down the line, this is what’s known as an ‘On Notice’.

    Failure to act on an advisory in a reasonable time frame can result in what’s known as ‘guilty knowledge’ and carry harsher penalties.

    Defect management might not be the most exciting topic, but it’s essential that as an organisation you have an effective process to ensure:

    • Drivers are carrying out pre-use checks
    • Defects are notified
    • Defects re rectified
    • You have the records to back it up

    If you would like any more information or wish to have a conversation about how to best carry out driver pre-use checks, please feel free to get in touch with a member of our team by using this form or calling our office on 01666 575900.