Poor management of vans could jeopardise operator licences for fleets using large commercial vehicles, according to the Freight Transport Association.

Mark Cartwight, product manager for membership at the FTA warned local authority fleet and transport managers that although operators’ licences allow the use of larger commercial vehicles, any issues of non-compliance could be made worse if evidence is found of poor management of light commercial vehicles.

“You don’t find vocational van drivers. The vast majority are tradesman who just happen to drive a van, which can then lead to management issues,” he said.

“It can be difficult to discipline a driver when he might have many other skills needed by your organisation. But poor driving by vans can have an impact on your operators licence.”

Cartwright encouraged attendees at a local government fleet conference organised by the FTA to sign up to a new ‘code of excellence’ launched by the body at the Commercial Vehicle Operators Show.

The code of excellence sets guidelines for vehicles, drivers and operation, and has already been supported by a number of local authorities and utility companies, as well as four major van manufacturers in the UK.

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