Driving training provider, DriveTech, has launched a new whitepaper to help fleets manage the risk of grey fleet.

The whitepaper, ‘The Rise of the Grey Fleet’, provides drivers with guidance on grey fleet management and raises awareness of the obligations, challenges and risks that using grey fleet vehicles presents.

DriveTech said the pandemic has accelerated the rise of the grey fleet, with recent data from the British Vehicle and Rental Association (BVRLA) showing that company fleets total around 1.8 million vehicles compared to the estimated 10-14 million for grey fleets.

Charlie Norman, managing director at DriveTech, said: “Our latest whitepaper is intended to provide some useful insight as your business prepares for the post-pandemic recovery.

“With conventional fleet sales down and the pandemic’s impact dramatically shifting the way in which many people work, now is the time to act and ensure grey fleets are not overlooked and businesses are responsible for all its drivers.”

Businesses who use gig economy workers and contractors may be slow to react to updated work-related road risk guidance, experts claim.

A report by Trakm8, revealed that almost one in five fleets (18%) do not know how many grey fleet vehicles they have in their fleet.

DriveTech highlighted the importance of ensuring drivers have the necessary training to improve the driving and awareness of individuals and help them to develop basic vehicle safety assessment skills.

Norman added: “Driver training is an important way for organisations to fulfil their obligations while helping employees to minimise risk when conducting work-related travel.

“Maintaining awareness of work journeys, the vehicles and technology involved will be critical to fulfilling duty of care, especially over the next decade as we experience a significant transition within the automotive industry.”

Download ‘The Rise of the Grey Fleet’ whitepaper on the DriveTech website.