Fleets running sub-3.5 tonne LCVs are being urged to consider introducing some practices from larger vans even though they are not strictly legally necessary.
The call comes from FleetCheck, which says although there are less legal risk management responsibilities for vehicles weighing under 3.5 tonnes, they still need frequent, scheduled checks.
Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, explained: “Vehicles do not suddenly become more prone to safety issues when they weigh in excess of 3.5 tonnes. Our argument, based on what we see in working with many fleets, is that it is good practice to adopt more of a graduated regime.
“Certainly, some of the elements of an O licence, such as pre-use defect inspections and more regular safety checks, should arguably be adopted for sub-3.5 tonne vans, even though they are not strictly legally necessary.”
He added that part of the problem lay with the sheer diversity of LCVs now available, with some designed for pretty intensive use comparable to a larger vehicle, while vans on many fleets run to much higher mileages than in the past.
“Now, with the rise of better made vehicles and higher mileage fleets, such as home delivery operations, there are a comparatively high number of vans around that have covered 200,000 miles or much more.
“All of these trends are converging to a point where we believe there is a strong argument for more checks, more thoroughly made, more often. There is unlikely to be a downwards extension of DVSA regulation but this is no excuse for fleets not to look at instances where exceeding their strict legal responsibilities might be appropriate.”
