IT can be a bit of a headache running a small fleet – especially if you don’t want to fall foul of the law.
And it’s not just a case of making sure your company cars are legal, but your drivers too.
In some ways the vehicle side is simpler and more logical, often coming down to good record keeping.
It’s important to keep a log for each vehicle recording the results of regular checks carried out by the driver or business car manager showing that it’s both safe and roadworthy. This becomes the vehicle’s “audit trail” and should show action taken to correct any faults or damage that may occur.
The log must be kept easily accessible along with the vehicle’s V5C (vehicle registration document), insurance documents, service and maintenance records.
And don’t forget company cars that are only used occasionally as well as employees’ own cars used on business – you are also responsible for these too.
When it comes to drivers it’s important to carry out a full licence check.
Following the abolition of the paper section of the current driving licence this can now only be done with the DVLA.