The Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have released results of commercial fleet compliance checks from 2020 to 2022. The research highlights a range of non-compliance issues, showing the continued need for driver training in several key areas.
Here, we explain the key results from the recent report. Plus, we highlight some key things to look out for to help keep your drivers and vehicles road safe.
Are your vehicles compliant?
The findings show that prohibition defects were found in 320 out of 2513 GB registered LGVs/HGVs. These mainly related to problems with the running gear which accounted for 36.9% of defects. Defective lamps and reflectors (17.5%) were also a common issue.
The research also showed that 32 out of 608 PCVs (Passenger Carrying Vehicles) such as buses or coaches had at least one prohibition defect.
Do your drivers know what to look for? With the right training they should have the confidence and knowledge required to carry out daily vehicle checks and to flag any issues before they seriously impact on safety.
Are your drivers compliant with the rules of the road?
Of the 2617 GB LGVs/HGVs checked for traffic compliance, inspectors found 10% of drivers had committed an offence. This includes offences resulting in either vehicle prohibition, a fixed penalty notice, or level 4 or 5 offences.
Results for PCVs also showed 4.3% of school bus and 8.9% of coach drivers had committed a serious traffic offence.
Although these figures were only marginally different to previous years, they highlight that not all drivers are following the rules of the road. It’s important to make sure that even experienced drivers are properly trained and regularly monitored.
How to improve compliance in your road transport operations
Training is key for drivers of all types of commercial vehicles. A wide range of LGV, HGV and PCV/PSV courses are available to help you keep driver skills up to date and compliant.
For example, compliance issues can be tackled via Driver CPC Periodic Training. Members of the RTITB Driver CPC Consortium can choose from a wide range of training modules and topics that include:
- Reducing Vehicle Infringements Through Drivers Daily Duties
- Understanding the Key Elements of an HGV
- Improving Driver Safety and Vehicle Security
- Reducing Incidents Involving Fluids and Live Loads
- Reducing Abnormal Load Incidents and Infringements
These RTITB Driver CPC training modules have been developed to be relevant and engaging. The training can be delivered using various methods and tools to suit different learners. These include quizzes, discussions, role play, and presentations.
Alongside compliance, the right training can also bring other benefits, such as improved efficiency and reduced fuel costs. Quality Driver CPC training can also show drivers you are invested in their development, supporting driver retention.
What are DVSA compliance checks?
The DVSA carries out regular checks on heavy duty vehicles (HGVs/LGVs) and public service vehicles (PCVs/PSVs) to assess vehicles’ condition and roadworthiness. Inspectors also examine operator compliance with new and existing legislation.
In a nutshell, fleet compliance checks aim to:
- determine trends in non-compliance with regulations and vehicle roadworthiness
- gather information to help identify potential areas for improvement.
- compare differences in vehicle condition and compliance across Great Britain and other countries.
Non-compliance to DVSA standards can impact on company performance. Whether that’s vehicle downtime for maintenance, or lost hours from driver re-training. By implementing the right Driver CPC Periodic Training, your company can avoid these pitfalls and stay compliant. All while ensuring your drivers meet their required training hours ahead of the cycle deadline.
Find Driver CPC training near you
Looking for Driver CPC training that’s engaging and relevant? Use our course locator to find a training provider near you, with access to the RTITB Driver CPC training materials. Simply enter your postcode or region to find your closet training provider and book your course.
Alternatively, if you want to deliver training in-house, join the RTITB Driver CPC Consortium here to access quality training materials that can help improve compliance.
Author bio:
Sarah Brown, Driver CPC & NRI Manager, RTITB
Sarah has been working at RTITB since 2010. During her time at RTITB she has been a part of the quality assurance team and customer support team. In 2020 she became Driver CPC & NRI Manager. She is always thinking of new ways to improve safety and compliance for our customer community. Sarah is also a qualified ISO9001 Lead Auditor and is currently completing her Transport Manager CPC qualification.