Tougher European legislation on operating licensing and transport management underlines the importance of ensuring that fleets have software systems in place to manage compliance, according to Jaama.

Legislative compliance and implementation of best practice policies and procedures by UK ‘O’ Licence holders are recognised as being at the cutting-edge and the new European Union regulation is designed to tackle inconsistencies across Europe.

Jaama sales director Martin Evans said: “The UK is widely recognised as setting the benchmark for professional competence and road safety. That, in part, is due to the fact that many organisations use sophisticated online fleet management systems to keep tabs on all aspects of their fleet operation to ensure ‘O’ Licence obligations are met.”

The new European Union regulations come into effect on December 4, 2011, and according to the Freight Transport Association will have little, if any, practical effect on the ‘O’ Licences or obligations of UK fleet operators.

Evans said: “With a massive legal and corporate focus on occupational road risk management, it is essential that companies have a thorough vehicle audit trail in place, which applies to both vehicles and drivers.”