FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, is launching a version of its best-practice road transport aimed at van owner-drivers.
The new accreditation will be based on the FORS Bronze best practice road transport principles and developed for single-van operations where the vehicle owner is also the driver.
The move benefits self-employed owner van drivers in the UK who don’t hold an Operator Licence and will advance standards of safety, efficiency and environmental protection in this relatively hard-to-reach sector, with the help of a low-cost, easy-to-understand FORS accreditation.
Whilst van operations are regulated, the requirement to evidence compliance, conduct checks, undertake training and retain records is less stringent than for businesses operating under O-Licence conditions. The FORS Bronze audit includes management responsibilities, driver competence and fitness, vehicle roadworthiness and operational management.
A dedicated toolkit has been developed to assist owner van drivers in preparing for audit. Once registered, FORS provides access to the extensive FORS Professional training portfolio as well as further benefits and incentives from FORS events and partner offers.
FORS has already engaged with courier and parcel delivery specialist Cargo2Go via the Transport Exchange Group – where business is shared among self-employed van drivers, and where FORS is now in place to serve as a best practice requirement. Van operators can adopt FORS, after which, accreditation will be viewed by the courier and parcel delivery companies as an advantage in earning new business.
The new developments will help FORS gain traction with self-employed owner van drivers more widely, spanning last-mile parcel deliveries and tradespeople representing a diverse range of professions.
Geraint Davies, concession director at FORS, said: “Following our assessment of owner van driver operations, we identified a marked gap in the availability of resources, information and training for this growth sector. Over the past decade, fleet industry practices have developed to address some of the key safety and environmental concerns, and we found that self-employed drivers needed more targeted communications on these issues and a different approach to achieve the requirements of the FORS Standard.
“There are some excellent examples of best practice in the owner van driver sector, and they are rightly very proud of the small businesses they run. Through FORS accreditation, we want to recognise these drivers and ensure potential customers are able to identify good operators in their buying decisions. We wish to make FORS easily accessible for everyone, including owner van drivers, and that’s why we’ve carefully looked at the FORS audit, support material and cost of accreditation for this vital and evolving sector.”
