Training Services

Fleet Training Guide

If you want to keep your drivers performing to the best of their abilities; while also boosting morale and offering them learning opportunities; then the solution could be fleet training.

There are a host of companies offering fleet training services and fleet training courses throughout the UK: so which courses should you consider?

Why use fleet training?

Employers have a duty of care towards their employees in all working environments: and this includes when they are on the road. Indeed the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act has made it essential for businesses to place a strong emphasis on the safety of their employees.

Despite this, more than one third of road accidents in the UK can be attributed to “driving for work” according to the Institute of Advanced Motorists. This suggests that fleet owners could be exposed to some serious consequences unless they take preventative steps to help drivers perform in a safe manner.

It’s not all about a duty of care, however: there are a number of competitive advantages in embarking on fleet training. For example, you may be able to help your drivers perform more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner: which can reflect on your business through fuel savings and reduced wear and tear to the vehicles. Indeed improving driver safety also has financial benefits too: as it should help limit the time your fleet drivers are off the road due to injury; or the time vehicles are incapacitated due to accidents.

So what types of fleet training are available?

There are a host of fleet training courses available: it all depends on what you want to achieve.

- Practical driving assessments: Your drivers may have a driver licence and be fully insured but it’s natural to slip into bad habits over time. A refresher course and practical driving assessment can help them correct small errors that could make them safer drivers. In addition, a driving assessment could be used to help them drive more efficiently and productively for your business.

- Advanced driver courses: This could cover a number of areas such as: helping drivers to identify any health and safety implications while driving for a company; addressing the risks of low speed manoeuvring; how to drive in a fuel efficient manner; how to drive in a more practical or safety conscious manner.

- Eco driving: There are fleet training courses available to encourage more efficient driving and to reduce a company’s carbon footprint by decreasing exhaust emissions.

- Specialist training programmes: There are fleet training services available to help drivers of specialist vehicles such as taxis and minibuses, as well as chauffeurs and heavy goods vehicle drivers.

- Towing: There are unique courses available to help drivers understand the dynamics of pulling a trailer to reduce risk exposure and lower collision rates.

- UK familiarisation: If you hire drivers from overseas it can be worthwhile putting them through a UK familiarisation course to ensure they are up to speed with the various hazards and unique nature of the UK’s roads.

Additional benefits of fleet training

In addition to potential fuel savings and increased safety, there are a number of benefits to fleet training that you may not have thought of, including:

- Driver satisfaction: Fleet training can help to enhance a driver’s attitude while reducing stress levels and increasing satisfaction.

- Improved residual values: With drivers performing more effectively behind the wheel, the residual values of your vehicles may be increased.

- Insurance savings: Many fleet insurers now offer discounts for drivers that have completed approved advanced driver training courses.