At Driver Training NI, we offer a range of on-road and classroom training courses for corporate clients to make sure your drivers are safe, trained and representing your brand the way you'd expect. Worried that you don't have an adequate Safe Driver Policy? We can help with that too.
Driving for Work
Very few drivers have ever been taught how to drive a van. Many will pass their category B driving test in a car and the first time they are asked to drive a van they are often handed the keys and asked to get on with their work.
Driving a van requires a different driving style than that of a car. With the extra weight and size and the increased blindspot areas there is increased risk. Without training, is it any wonder then that in 2016 a quarter of all road traffic collisions involved someone driving for work?
For many drivers, the standard driving test and their initial training is the only driver training they've ever done, but unfortunately good practices often deteriorate over time and habits start to creep in, increasing the risk of a collision. The average cost of a collision in a works vehicle runs into several thousand pounds, and with increased insurance premiums, can really hurt a business' bottom line.
More and more companies are now realising the need for professional driver training for their staff. Aside from the human factor and reducing the risk of a driver being involved in a collision, there is also a legal obligation for employers to provide driver training:
1974’s Health and Safety at Work Act puts it: ‘It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.’
Save Money, Save Stress, Save The Company
Allowing a driver to take the keys to a company vehicle comes with its own list of requirements on both the employees and the employer. Whilst it's the drivers responsibility to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy for example, it is the employers responsibility to provide appropriate training on how to check the vehicle correctly.
If a collision occurs where the driver is on work-related business or driving a company vehicle, it can be very difficult to reprimand or enforce any disciplinary action against an employee if all they have to say is, 'I didn't know, I wasn't trained'.
Going one step further, employers can be held liable for more serious collisions under the Corporate Manslaughter Act, where companies can be prosecuted and/or fined for failing to provide appropriate training or having the relevant policies in place.
Thankfully, there's a bit of good news:
Firstly, the DfI guide for Driving for Work is a handy reference document covering many of the requirements for managing work related road safety. You can find a copy of it by clicking here.
Secondly, as you'll see in the above documents one of the minimum requirements for employers is having a robust driving for work policy. If you don't have one, we've got you covered with 50% off our company driver policy available here for you to stamp your company name on and help keep your business covered.
Lastly, corporate driver training from Driver Training NI not only keeps your business up to date with the legal requirements, but also saves your company money. On average our clients save between 15-25% in their fleet fuel costs due to a change their staff's driving style, keeping staff safe and saving money at the same time. You can find out more about our corporate driver training courses by clicking the link below.
On-road and classroom based corporate driver training provides staff with driving skills beyond the standard driving test helping to reduce their risk on the roads. Covering relevant policies including vehicle maintenance checks and mobile phone policies, training is delivered by our expert team of advanced driving instructors and examiners.
If you'd like to know more about how we can help your business, you can contact us by clicking here.
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