The Van Excellence scheme has opened entries for its 2019 Driver of the Year competition, which aims to recognise and celebrate the UK’s best van drivers.
Now in its sixth year, the contest is open for entries from Van Excellence members until Friday 19 April 2019, with each operator able to enter one over 30 and one under 30-year-old driver for the chance to win prizes including a holiday voucher, a GoPro and Red Letter Day vouchers.
Competition places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the 2019 event will take place on Saturday 8 June at Bott’s Ashby-de-la-Zouch headquarters, where drivers will complete various tasks and be rated on driving style, fuel economy, legislative knowledge, risk perception, manoeuvring and vehicle defect checking.
The overall Van Excellence Driver of the Year, the second and third-place contestants and the Van Excellence Young Driver of the Year will be announced on the day and winners will be presented with their trophies.
“To be a successful van driver you need to have a multitude of skills,” said Mark Cartwright, head of vans and light commercial vehicles at FTA. “As well as being able to manoeuvre your vehicle safely, efficiently and cost effectively to a tight timetable on Britain’s crowded roads, successful drivers must have excellent observation and concentration, as well as an understanding of all the relevant legislation and safety procedures. Van drivers are the lifeblood of our economy, delivering everything we need and are not always given the recognition they deserve – we plan to remedy that situation.”
Further information on the event and how to enter can be found at fta.co.uk/vdoty19.
