RADICAL proposals have been unveiled by the Fleet Driver Training Association to create a formal licensing system for drivers of company cars. The plans come as Government attention has been focused on the safety standards of fleet drivers after new research revealed up to a third of road deaths every year could involve at-work drivers.

An outline document from the FDTA suggests the best way to deal with the high number of deaths is to put the onus on drivers to prove they are qualified to cover the high mileages required in their role, before they get their jobs.

The document says: 'Those concerned with increasing fleet safety have been trying for a number of years to persuade fleet managers to get drivers assessed, and where necessary put them on training schemes - but only after they have been employed. What if we take a radical view and make it the drivers' responsibility to prove they are capable of using an expensive, potentially lethal piece of machinery - a company car? The FDTA is suggesting a Company Driver Licence.'

According to the association, the cost per driver would be kept very low and potential employees would know their chances of a job would be much higher if they had a CDL before going for an interview. The spokesman added: 'From the employers' point of view, this idea would get round all the uncertainty of wondering whether drivers were actually capable of driving safely. If the rule became 'no company driver licence - no company car', the roads would become safer overnight.'