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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
Checking directly with the DVLA is by far the easiest and most accurate method of licence validation and should be used for ALL drivers. If you use a fleet management company, ask their advice - they should be able to help you put a process in place that will actually remove all your administration too!
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
I seem to remember a bit of a kerfuffle a couple of months ago when a high street clothing retailer issued a set of guidelines advising their employees how they should dress to, shall we say, "enhance" their figures.
"Magic pants" were mentioned.
The leaflets were withdrawn shortly afterwards...
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
Hi Stefan
Maybe you should consider installing speed limiters? Helps improve fuel consumption too...
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
Anybody using a car for business, however it's provided, should be viewed as coming under PUWER and treated as such. They must be assessed as being competent to use the equipment (ie have a valid licence at least), it must be fit for purpose (ie the correct type of car, suitable for the journey), and it must be properly maintained (taxed, serviced, MOT'd and insured for business use).
From a duty of care perspective it is essential that an audit trail is available to demonstrate that these boxes have been ticked for all amployees who drive on business. It's a relatively easy task when it comes to fleet-maonaged company cars, but a logistical pain in the fundament for the "grey fleet".
As James says above, far better to use a pool car, an idle company car or just hire something for the day.
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
When I am asked, my advice is always NOT to provide fire extinguishers in company vehicles. The provision of the equipment throws up myriad complications in terms of training and maintenance and, to be honest, in the event of a vehicle fire, the last thing I'd want is to encourage my driver to endanger themselves by attempting to tackle it on their own.
If a vehicle catches fire, get everybody out, retreat to a safe distance and call the fire brigade.
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
There is a precedent to this. A couple of years ago a stationery supplies company driver hit and killed another driver whilst using a hand-held mobile phone. Once the company produced their policy which prohibited the use of mobiles whilst driving and a declaration signed by the driver accepting its terms, there was no further action taken against them.
You can't sit in the passenger seat 24 hours a day and monitor every driver's individual actions. The key here is the policy. Make sure it's clear and simple, and get signed confirmation from every driver that they'll follow it.
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
Hi Sid
You're not taxed on your use of the car for business - just on the benefit of having it available for your private use. You could argue, therefore, that during working hours/on business it's just a tool like a computer or a stapler, which I'm sure you'd be happy to share with your colleagues if they needed it :)
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
The DVLA will release driver details to anybody who has a reasonable reason for requiring the information. For example, insurers can use it to track down individuals involved in accidents. You can feasibly also be entitled to it in irder to enforce parking regulations as mentioned above.
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
It might also be appropriate to have the driver undergo an assessment by somebody like RoSPA. I know that he'll probably adjust his driving style for the assessment, but the RoSPA guys are pretty good at spotting this.
The issue you have now, however, is that you have evidence that he's dodgy behind the wheel. If he damages somebody in an accident and you haven't been seen to address the issue...
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
I dunno.
A stray nail clipping could have somebody's eye out...
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
Sorry - the Courts would appear to think otherwise...
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Diarmuid Fahy
Member - 12 posts
To be perfectly honest, the only safe policy is to state quite clearly that mobile phones shouldn't be used, either hand-held or hands-free, in any circumstances.
Whether drivers elect to follow the guidance or not is another matter entirely...
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