Driving for Better Business

Our Van Driver Toolbox Talks are designed to help you share important information with your drivers. You can download video files for each Toolbox Talk as well as notes on the content. Access the video here:

Toolbox Talk - Safe Towing

Our Van Driver Toolbox Talks are designed to help you share important information with your drivers. You can download video files for each Toolbox Talk as well as notes on the content. Access the video here:

Click the link to view: Toolbox Talk - Severe Weather

Our Van Driver Toolbox Talks are designed to help you share important information with your drivers. You can download video files for each Toolbox Talk as well as notes on the content.

Click here to watch the Toolbox Talk: Speed Limits

Did you know?

• The use of vehicles as a weapon to injure and kill people has become a real threat. This is referred to as a ‘vehicle as a weapon (VAW) attack’.
• Vans pose an increased risk if used in VAW attacks because of their size, profile and weight.
• Crowded public spaces are targeted for VAW attacks.

In an emergency drivers should call 999. To report suspicious behaviour drivers should call National Counter Terrorism Security Office on 0800 789 321. Drivers should always comply with their organisation’s...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• A driver could be imprisoned, banned from driving, and face a fine if found guilty of drink-driving.
• A driver could be charged with driving while unfit even if they are not over the limit.
• The only thing that eliminates alcohol from the body is time and the average person will metabolise around 1 unit of alcohol per hour.

A drink drive conviction means a mandatory driving ban for at least 1 year (3 years if convicted twice in 10 years), and an offence which stays on your licence for 11 years. You could also be given...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• Mobile devices are a major distraction but they are not the only one.
• Distractions can include eating, drinking, setting satnav, radios etc – anything that takes your eyes off the road or distracts your concentration on driving.
• Distraction is a major cause of collisions with drivers 4 times more likely to be in a crash if using a mobile device (even hands free).

40% of drivers name hand-held mobile phone use as one of their top 4 road safety concerns. The Road Traffic Act 1988 states it is illegal for drivers to hold a mobile phone or other hand-held device in their hand while driving. Drivers can receive...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• 1 in 5 accidents are caused by tiredness.
• Peak times for fatigue-related crashes are within the hours of 02.00-06.00 and 14.00-16.00.
• Sleeping just 4-5 hours a night for a week impairs performance to the same extent as being legally over the alcohol limit.

83% of van drivers feel more tired in the autumn and winter. 1 in 5 people suffer some form of sleep problem affecting their driving ability by impairing coordination, judgment ability and memory and causing longer reaction times. Whilst driving when tired is not an offence, it does increase the chance of drivers committing other driving related offences or causing a serious or fatal collision. A driver who is awake for 24 hours is 7 times more likely to have an accident.  

Did you know?

• 90% of road collisions are caused by, or involve, human error.
• Drivers face fines up to £5,000 and up to 9 penalty points for careless and inconsiderate driving if their vehicle causes an obstruction when it has run out of fuel.
• There are around 3 to 6 major bridge strikes every day due to drivers not knowing their vehicle height.

Driving is the most dangerous work activity that the majority of people do. Before operating any vehicle, drivers should receive appropriate vehicle familiarisation training and...     Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• There are laws limiting the amount of driving a van driver can do each day. These laws also require minimum rest periods.
• Drivers breaking these rules can receive large fines and even custodial sentences.
• There are 2 different sets of rules that can apply. It is important you know which you need to follow.

You’ll probably be driving under GB Domestic Rules but you will need to check. The easiest way to understand which rules apply is to assume the more onerous EU Rules will apply unless there is an exemption; these exemptions are legally defined and can be seen at www.gov.uk/drivers-hours/exemptions-from-eu-law. If these apply, you will need a tacho too. If exempt, then the simpler GB Domestic rules apply. The single biggest exemption to the EU Rules is that the vehicles below 3.5t GVW are not covered. This means most vans are exempt and will need to use the GB Domestic rules unless they are towing. Vans used for towing may still be exempt but for a different reason – you’ll need to check. More Info GB Domestic Drivers’ Hours - Drivers must not drive for more than 10 hours in any 1 day. - Drivers must not be on duty for more than 11 hours in any 1 day. - Drivers must record their hours on a weekly record sheet or on a tachograph. EU Rules - Drivers must not drive more than 9 hours in a day – this can be extended to 10 hours twice a week or, - 56 hours in a week or 90 hours in any 2 consecutive weeks. - The EU Rules remain valid in the UK despite Brexit. Driving when tired is responsible for 1 in 5 incidents. Under GB Domestic rules, a driver who does not drive for more than 4 hours on each day of the week is exempt from the daily duty limit for the whole week. Drivers who do not use public roads or who are in the armed forces, police, or fire brigade are exempt from GB Domestic rules. EU rules also require: - at least 11 hours rest every day – this can be reduced to 9 hours rest 3 times between any 2 weekly rest periods. - an unbroken rest period of 45 hours every week – this can be reduced to 24 hours every other week. - a break or breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes driving. - weekly rest after 6 consecutive 24-hour periods of working, starting from the end of the last weekly rest period taken.

Did you know?

• Driving without the correct entitlement to drive may result in a driver being issued with 3-6 penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.
• Penalty points are not displayed on the driving licence photocard.
• Drivers who receive 12 penalty points or more can be disqualified from driving for up to 3 years.
• Drivers can have their licence revoked (withdrawn), if they build up 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing their driving test.

Driving licence categories explain what vehicles a driver can drive. Each category of vehicle is represented by a letter or a letter and a number. In total, there are 26...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• An English or Welsh Court has the power to disqualify anyone from driving in GB regardless of where their licence was issued.
• A driver’s ability to drive in GB on a foreign driving licence depends on the length of their stay and the country where their licence was issued.
• Non-GB driving licences can be registered using a D9 form or exchanged using a D1 application form from DVLA.

Drivers with a non-GB provisional licence must apply for a provisional UK licence to drive in the UK. They can then take the test after 6 months. If the licence was not issued in the EU or a designated country, drivers can...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• Over 2 million drivers have an out-of-date driving licence
• Driving without a current, valid licence can result in a fine up to £1,000 and 3-6 penalty points
• Failure to produce driving documents to the police is an offence resulting in a fine up to £5,000 and 8 penalty points

Drivers are legally required to ensure they have a correct, current, and valid driving licence before driving any vehicle. Drivers must inform DVLA of changes to their...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.