Drivetech updates virtual CPC training for driver flexibility

Drivetech, part of the AA, has announced the launch of its online, virtual classroom driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) courses.

The courses are designed to top up driver CPC hours, enhancing driving skills for professional drivers and commercial operators.

Lorry, bus and coach drivers must undertake CPC courses every five years. Each course contributes to the 35 hours of periodic training required.

Critically, each course can now be booked by the driver, with employers no longer required to manage the scheduling of the training.

Fully interactive, each all-day course is delivered live by an expert trainer and combines topics from Drivetech’s standard half-day sessions. The online courses cover the following topics: daily vehicle checks; driver compliance; fitness and wellbeing; professional driving and the Highway Code; winter driving; managing stress and addiction; managing your speed; sharing the road; and driving today workshop.

All attendees must have access to a computer or laptop with a web camera, microphone and speakers or headphones.

“We are committed to keeping drivers safe behind the wheel,” said Nick Butler, director of Drivetech. “Our courses offer a convenient, interactive way to top up driver CPC hours and enhance driving skills.”

Reflex chooses Teletrac Navman for fleet management

Reflex Vehicle Hire has committed to operating its entire fleet through TN360, a fleet management solution from Teletrac Navman.

The decision follows a successful initial contract and includes equipping all vehicles with the business’ AI-powered smart dashcams and supporting hardware. 

By the end of 2023, almost a third of all vehicles available to hire through Reflex Vehicle Hire will be equipped with Teletrac Navman solutions, with its full fleet of 5,500 vehicles covered by 2024. 

Furthering the relationship, Reflex Vehicle Hire is now also offering Teletrac Navman’s connected solutions to its customers’ owned fleets in the UK.

As part of this development, Reflex Vehicle Hire’s customer service team, Drive with Reflex, will also act as the main support source for any fleet solution questions from its customers. 

Lisa Spong, sales director at Reflex Vehicle Hire, said: “Working with Teletrac Navman has had an immense impact on our operations here at Reflex.

“We wanted to evolve and enhance our product offerings, so having the support of experts has really improved compliance and safety which is one of our main priorities, along with customer satisfaction. 

“Thanks to our new partnership with Teletrac Navman, our customers can now access data in real time, allowing them to have greater transparency across their fleet. We’re really excited to build on our partnership and have our full fleet covered soon.”

Carlos Caponera, VP global marketing at Teletrac Navman, added: “Building on our partnership with Reflex Vehicle Hire is a huge win for us, allowing us to offer our products to such a rich network of customers across all sorts of industries.”

Sapphire recruiting truck technicians

Sapphire Vehicle Services is inviting a new crop of applicants for its training programme to upskill people with relevant experience into qualified truck technicians.

“This course is targeted at people with a strong foundation of relevant experience,” said Sapphire training manager Tony Hewins.

“Most will already be working as car or van mechanics, although we’ll also consider people who might be working in related fields.

“We’re looking for a group of up to 12 candidates. We’ll take them on as full-time employees and provide them with a 12-month programme consisting of six blocks of classroom training, each a week long, interspersed with time back in the workshop where they can put their new skills to use in a real-life setting.”

He continued: “At the end of the year we expect all to pass their IRTEC accreditations and become fully fledged heavy vehicle technicians, with a recognised professional qualification which typically comes with a higher rate of pay than car mechanics can earn.

“They’ll also be working for a successful, expanding business that values ongoing career development, so there’s a great deal of potential for further improvement.

“All they need is the determination to learn and succeed.”

Classroom training will take place at Sapphire’s Northampton depot and be delivered by partner Blyth Automotive.

Sapphire operates workshops across country, though, so applications are invited from candidates based anywhere in the UK.

Sapphire Vehicle Services looks after upwards of 28,000 trucks and vans at its 16 workshops nationwide.

Convey Technology works with Connected2 to boost compliance solution

Convey Technology has launched the Connected Module, integrating data from software partner Connected2 into their single sign-in software platform for commercial vehicle, drivers’ hours and working time compliance and management.

Focused on driver safety, business efficiency and tools to safeguard business’ Operator Licences, Convey says it continuously works with the industry to enhance the integrated data available in its platform.

Launched in 2019, the Connected Team software from Connected2, was developed to improve driver engagement, retention, and compliance.

The emphasis is on ‘proactive’ compliance planning, rather than reactive fleet management and giving operators and drivers easy access to data, it says.

The solution can use real time tachograph compliance data from Convey, while drivers have access to the information via their mobile device.

The software also handles timesheets in the same way, giving hauliers and drivers real time access to information.

Connected2 enables operators to plan and optimise driver and vehicle utilisation. The system will highlight where gaps exist and modifications to the round can be made accordingly.

Karen Crispe, commercial director at Convey, said: “Connected Team is a natural addition to our driver and vehicle compliance platform, giving operators an even wider scope to manage and improve efficiencies across their business, as well as improve engagement with drivers.  

“This is an example of another area of fleet management we can help operators digitalise; as well as saving them time and money.”

HGVT launches app to streamline HGV driver training 

HGVT has launched an app to help streamline the learning journey for trainee HGV drivers. 

The app, available to download on the App Store now, puts the entire training journey in one app, enabling trainees to book their medical, theory and practical tests all from one place.

The app, says HGVT, also enables trainees to learn and complete mock theory and hazard perception tests and keeps individuals updated on their progress so they can see when they are ready to sit real tests.

Available for individuals on HGV driver training courses, HGVT’s app incorporates the entire learning journey.

It estimates that the app will replace up to 30 separate emails sent to each individual driver during their HGV training course.  

HGVT has invested £150,000 in the development of the app, which required complex technical solutions to ensure that the different agencies responsible for the medical, theory and practical tests are connected.

The firm is already noticing fewer calls into its customer service team and higher pass rates from those using the app. 

Gary Benardout, CEO of HGVT, said: “Training to be an HGV driver requires a lot of contact with your training provider, taking mock tests, and booking and taking the real tests. But it is often an old-fashioned process using emails and phone calls, which can be frustrating for trainees and lead to missed tests and wasted money.

“By putting the entire training journey into one app we’ve removed this friction for the thousands of individuals that train with us every year.” 

HGVT plans to have around 4,000 trainees using the app within the next year and will roll it out to corporate customers in the coming months. 

First Six of 25 new Volvo FH 460 trucks delivered to HPL

Humber Ports Logistics (HPL) has taken delivery of the first six out of an order of 25 13-litre Volvo FH 460 XL trucks.

Purchased through Crossroads Truck and Bus, the arrival of the first instalment of the order sees HPL’s existing fleet boosted to 75, split evenly between the company’s Immingham and Hull depots.

The other 19 trucks are due for delivery, staggered over the next three months.

HPL’s director, Jamie Benton, said: “Perfect for use on short, medium and long-haul routes, the new trucks go above and beyond when it comes to driver comfort; whilst also importantly ticking all the boxes to meet our sustainability and fuel consumption goals.”

Crossroads Truck and Bus area sales manager, Adam North, added: “We have a special business relationship with HPL, and I would like to thank them once again for their confidence in Crossroads Volvo and the latest 13Ltr FH 460 I-Save engine.”

Copart increases storage capabilities in Cambridgeshire and London

Copart UK, has secured final planning permission to expand their site in Wisbech, adding 50% to their vehicle storage capabilities in Cambridgeshire, while also doubling their vehicle storage capacity near central London.

Originally announced last year, expansion works can now commence at Copart’s Operation Centre in Wisbech, which will support the company’s continued growth in the East of England.

Once completed, the expansion will make Wisbech a 20-acre site, increasing vehicle storage capacity by 50%.

Copart anticipates the full 20-acre site at Wisbech to be operational by spring 2023.

Phil Briggs, Copart UK’s director of operation centres, transport and engineering, said: “We’re fully committed to continuously growing and improving services to our customers, so we’re pleased to be extending our Wisbech Operation Centre, more than doubling its storage capacity in the East of England.”

Meanwhile, the completion of a two-phase expansion at their Rochford Operation Centre in Essex has significantly strengthened their storage capacity for customers operating in the east of England, alongside their Operation Centres in Colchester, Sandy, Sandwich, and Wisbech.

The Rochford site now has the capacity to handle over 32,000 vehicles per annum and provides vehicle collection and storage 30 miles from central London.

Copart has confirmed that the full 23-acre site is now operational.

Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK and Ireland, said: “Our combination of strategically positioned sites across the UK and unrivalled storage capacity means we are never far from our communities and customers.

“With total ownership of our 23 connected operation centres and offices across the UK and Ireland, we are incredibly unique within our industry in that we can manage any peaks in demand through centrally controlled decisions and have complete flexibility to divert vehicles, people, and operations to another Copart location if needed.”