Employers ‘failing’ to carry out basic checks on grey fleet drivers

Almost half (49%) of employees who use their private car for business-related journeys do not recall having had their driving licence checked by their employer, new research suggests.

The research, conducted by TTC Group, is particularly concerning when the driver training and compliance expert says that a fifth of all validation checks on so-called grey fleet drivers and vehicles it carries out for customers fail.

David Marsh, CEO at TTC Group, said: “The fact that so few employees are ever asked to provide driver and vehicle validation is truly alarming.

“Especially coupled with the fact that a fifth of all the 70,000 driver validation checks we carried out on behalf of clients resulted in failure.”

The TTC survey of grey fleet drivers also showed that some employers are falling short on the most fundamental vehicle validation checks.

Less than a third (31%) of employees surveyed by TTC said they have not been asked to show a valid MOT certificate and just 35% have been asked to show evidence of motor insurance.

While it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they have valid documents, including business car insurance, it is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act for any grey fleet vehicle to be verified roadworthy and legal by the driver’s employer.

Marsh continued: “The current economic climate is placing untold pressures on UK businesses and time is money.

“As more deaths occur from at-work road trips than at the workplace itself, however, prioritising time to carry out necessary checks to ensure the legality of drivers and their vehicles could make a huge difference.

“Businesses who take control of their grey fleets can also minimise the financial and operational risks associated with collisions, convictions and driving bans.”

TTC’s research also revealed that just one-in-five employees (22%) were provided with a driving for work policy.

This essential policy is designed to educate grey fleet drivers on what confirmations they must provide before driving for work, what is expected of them when on the road, and what their responsibilities are going forward.

Having a robust Driving for Work policy is a legal requirement, so as well as placing grey fleet drivers at risk, companies who do not have one also risk reputational damage, fines and even prosecution, says TTC.

As well as a lack of policy and validation checks the research also revealed less than a fifth (18%) of employees said they have ever been offered driver training by their employers.

Meanwhile, only 11% had been asked to install a company-supplied telematics device to monitor driver behaviour.

TTC says that driver training is essential to help motorists reduce their own risk, make informed driving decisions and stay safe on the road.

Businesses who invest in telematics technology can aggregate all driver risk and compliance data, then use algorithms and automation to extract insight for personalised training recommendations.

Marsh concluded: “Whilst there are many businesses proactively validating drivers, monitoring their on-road behaviours and providing personalised training to improve safety, it’s clear many businesses are putting employees and other road users at risk.

“By raising awareness of driver safety and compliance for employees at all levels, businesses can reduce their risk profile while protecting their employees and other road users.”