The findings add further weight to calls for fleet managers to undertake training courses after a survey by Dial Contracts revealed they were left in the cold when it came to making decisions on key fleet policy matters (Fleet News July 12).

Of the human resources managers surveyed 35.3% described their influence over fleet decisions as 'total', while a further 23.5% said they often had control. The remainder said they had little or no influence. However, although human resources managers say they have a high degree of control over fleet decisions, the survey reveals signs that their knowledge of current major fleet issues is poor. For example, under 10% of those surveyed were aware of the VAT changes which were announced in the November 1994 Budget and came into effect on August 1 last year despite the topic being the main point of discussion in the industry for the past 20 months.

The survey involved more than 1,000 human resources managers employed by companies with an average fleet size of around 70 vehicles.