Fleet Training











Do you run a small business, school, college or club?

  • Are you put off for providing driver training for your staff by the high prices that are charged by the large fleet
    training companies?
  • Do you want to cut your running costs for your vehicles?
  • If an employee was injured in a road traffic collision how would your business cope?
  • What would happen to the reputation of your company if you were prosecuted as a result?













Fleet driver training for small businesses and self employed sole traders
When there is a RTC (Road Traffic Collision) the costs don’t just stop with the repairs and insurance claims but can escalate.  For a self employed person or
when running a small business if a key members of staff is off work for an unexpected period of time due to an RTC this could result in a loss of business,
which could have severe financial consequences.

As from 6th April 2008, driving at work will fall under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which means that as an employer, you will be responsible for the
safety of your workers whist they are driving for work. The Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Act will come into force which means that as an employer
you could be found liable for any injuries or fatalities. This means that if a member of your staff is involved in crash which causes injury to a member of the
public and the driver has had no training then the your company could be liable.

It is estimated that one in every three road traffic collisions involve somebody who is driving on work related business at the time. That does not include
commuting. Therefore managing Health and Safety on the road, is as vital to your employee's well-being as managing risk in the office, on a site or working in
a workshop. By taking an active step in driver training, you are not only reducing costs to your business, but are also helping to protect your employees,
keeping them safer, both in work and whilst driving socially. Some employees believe that by not supplying a company car but instead moving to a cash-for-
car, personal contract purchase scheme or employee car ownership scheme removes their health and safety responsibilities. It doesn’t...

What is fleet training?
Fleet driver training is a defensive driving course aimed at the company vehicle driver and is about improving your driver's road awareness and planning skills.

The following skills will be developed:
  •       Concentration
  •       Observation
  •       Awareness
  •       Anticipation
  •       Planning
  •       Speed awareness
  •       Space management
  •       Legal compliances
  •       Vehicle sympathy
  •       Eco Driving
  •       Safe cornering and the use of limit points

Advice will be given in the following areas
  •       Vehicle safety checks
  •       Avoiding fatigue
  •       Fitness for driving and avoiding stress
  •       Vehicle security
  •       Personal security and avoiding conflict
  •       Safe vehicle loading
  •       Dealing with different weather conditions

Some of the main benefits to you from any of the courses will be:
  •       Lower insurance costs
  •       A reduced risk of being involved in a road traffic collision
  •       Better fuel consumption
  •       Reduced wear and tear on your vehicles
  •       Updated knowledge about new traffic laws for your driving staff
  •       Improved staff moral
  •       Better corporate image
  •       Improved business

Some other popular driving courses
Defensive driver training
On this course your driver will be assessed and their driving developed to a higher standard using advanced driving techniques. The main emphasis is going
to be raising your driver's observations, anticipation and planning skills. Also other issues such as space management and safe use of speed will be
addressed. The course is designed to be flexible in order to deal with each individual driver's requirements.

Advanced driving course
On this course, your driver will be assessed and developed to a higher standard following the "Roadcraft" system of car control and using the same advanced
driving techniques that the Police use. The purpose of this course, is to raise your driver's general road awareness and planning skills and car control to a
higher level and prepare them for an advanced driving test.

UK familiarisation courses
If your company employs a member of staff who are new to the UK, the rules and road procedures may be different than in their home country, therefore on a
UK familiarisation course they will be shown how to drive safely on the UK roads where quite a bit of emphasis will be placed on roundabouts, junctions,
traffic light sequences and motorway driving as these are areas that can differ from country to country.

Minibus and light van familiarisation courses
We can carry out vehicle familiarisation courses on these vehicles. Due to the size and weight difference between cars, minibuses and vans, many drivers get
caught out.  The biggest mistake a lot of people make is that they consider minibuses and vans to be large cars. The main problems drivers can encounter
are the differences in handling and braking characteristics.

Speed awareness courses
With more authorities placing more speed cameras it is very easy to get points on your driving licence due to innocently drifting over the limit. Your driver's will
drive on a variety of roads with different limits and learn how to recognise speed limits, and with increased observations and linking hazards, they will learn
where speed limits are prone to changes and how to keep their speed in order.

Eco Driving
With improved observation, planning, speed awareness and space management your driver's will begin to make some considerable savings on fuel costs.

All courses will be:
Each course will be tailored to the needs of your company and driver. The course is run on a ratio of one trainer to one, two or three delegates. The total actual
time per delegate is 2 to 3 hours. Whilst each delegate is having a driving assessment, the others may return to normal work duties thus reducing down time
for other working activities.  

At the end of the course you will receive a written driving report which will highlight areas to consider for continued improvements and a certificate.

Training location:
The training will be carried out from your premises or at a mutually convenient location

Training vehicle:
The training is usually carried out in the client's vehicles as this is what the driver is familiar with. The vehicle must be suitable, roadworthy, taxed, have an
MOT if applicable and be fully insured. If a vehicle is not available then a vehicle can be provided.

Eye sight, licence checks and other information:
All drivers must hold a valid current licence for the vehicle they will be driving and must be able to read a vehicle registration plate from a distance of 67 feet
(20.5m) If glasses are required then they must be worn throughout the training. If drivers are on medication then this will be noted and the driver should check
with their pharmacist as to whether it is safe to drive whilst taking the medication.

Course objective
To provide you with a report detailing the level of risk of each of the delegates.

Course format
  • Meet and greet.
  • Check of driving documents and course introduction.
  • Eyesight test and vehicle safety checks.
  • Driving assessment taking in as many varied road conditions as practicable.
  • A discussion of the driving assessment followed by a development coaching session, working on the main areas of risk.
  • Final Assessment.
  • Feedback.

Feedback is given to the delegate and a full written report will be provided to the delegate and the company, which will advise on skills or areas for the driver to
further develop.

For further advice on fleet training and the law please click here