Arval takes safety first approach with major driver licence checking initiative

29 April 2005

Almost 1,000 driving licence checks have been undertaken on at-work drivers and relatives of company car drivers at Arval, the UK's largest fleet management company, as part of its in-house risk management focus.

The detailed process, undertaken by DriveTech (UK), which also provides a comprehensive one-stop shop service to Arval customers as part of the fleet management company's constant drive towards reducing fleet risks and cutting accident costs, is being supported by driver training for staff deemed to be at risk.

Whilst Arval has always undertaken driving licence checks, the new procedure has been extended to incorporate both a new driver declaration form, designed by DriveTech, as well as a mandate asking permission for information supplied by the driver to be cross-checked with the DVLA. The results of the check are then kept on record by the company by means of an online database, maintained and hosted by DriveTech.

Driver licence checks have been carried out by DriveTech, the country's leading provider of at-work driving risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions, on Arval's 420 company car drivers, all other staff who drive on company business on either a regular or random basis and the 'additional drivers', who are typically partners and other relatives.

In total, almost 1,000 checks have been undertaken by DriveTech of which about 60% were on employees with the remainder on external drivers.

Information initially requested from drivers on the declaration form included personal details, driving licence and accident history and confirmation that their eyesight conformed to driving standards, as well as a medical section. Drivers also gave their permission for their records to be checked with the DVLA database.

Licence checks are now carried out annually for existing employees and immediately for new starters. In addition, Arval receives notification direct from the police of any offences committed by drivers.

Fleet manager Tracey Young said: ‘We explained to all the employees what we were doing and why we were doing it and we had no problems in gathering the information. I can now identify all drivers and offences committed which may be indicative of risk.

‘In addition, when we receive notice of an intended prosecution from the police we review the circumstances of the incident with the person concerned, liaise with the driver on the outcome and may recommend applicable training.‘

As a result of the new process, employees with five points or more on their licence who drive on business, and staff who have been involved in two blameworthy crashes in the last two years, will shortly undergo driver training. This includes completing DriveTech's speed awareness e-learning module and a half-day of on-road speed recognition and/or post accident training.

A number of employees will be going through the driver training programme and Mrs Young said: 'The response has been fantastic and people are very excited about it. I have had employees with less than five points and those with clean driving licences also asking for driver training.’

Mrs Young is now considering extending driver training to these drivers and also the 'additional drivers' allowed to take to the wheel of company cars. As a first step it is likely that the speed awareness e-learning module will be made available to all drivers.

‘What we have introduced is the most obvious basic risk step, but it is all about risk reduction and accident prevention. We want all our employees and their relatives who drive our company cars to be as safe as possible on the road. The whole process is being supported by the board - who have also gone through the licence checking process.’

DriveTech managing director Jim Kirkwood says the company is increasingly being asked by safety-conscious fleets to conduct a comprehensive audit trail of drivers and their documentation, driving licences, vehicle registration forms, insurance and MoT certificates.

He said: ‘As Arval has recognised, annual licence checks are a core part of compliance work that helps target driver training. However, such a basic process is the Achilles heel for many fleets, particularly in respect of the growing number of employees who drive their own cars on company business.

‘By putting in place driver audit trails and introducing at-work driving best practice processes companies are not only safeguarding themselves against possible prosecution but they are introducing a feel good and caring environment in which their staff can work.’

Last year, Arval announced a new partnership with DriveTech that sees customers being offered a multi-faceted approach to improving road safety and corporate risk management that involves:

• A comprehensive company-wide fleet risk assessment working with a client's senior management to quantify and manage their current risks.
• The assessment of all staff that drive a vehicle on company business to determine their risk rating.
• Targeted training solutions for those drivers who are deemed to be at risk.

EDITOR’S NOTES

DriveTech is the UK's leading provider of ‘driving at work’ risk management, driver assessment and driver training solutions.

DriveTech’s goal is to reduce both an organisation’s vehicle business costs and the personal risk for ‘at work’ drivers, by significantly improving driver ABC – attitude, behaviour and competence – therefore supporting driver safety and corporate ‘duty of care’ requirements.

DriveTech (UK) has won the Institute of Transport Management’s ‘Fleet Award for Driver Training’ in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

DriveTech (UK) can be contacted at enquiries@drivetech.co.uk, telephone 01344 46788 or via its website at www.drivetech.co.uk

For further information contact:
Ashley Martin (telephone 01733 390691) or Arthur Dalziel (01344 762890)
AWD Communications Ltd.