INTRODUCTION

The vehicle has become a central feature of our lives, granting us unparalleled personal mobility through wider access to jobs, leisure and other facilities. With the ability and freedom to drive comes the responsibility to do so in a considerate and intelligent manner.

After the transport task has been defined and a vehicle acquired then it is the driver’s task to complete their portion of the business process.

Before they begin each authorised driver should be confirmed as having a current, valid license, a satisfactory driving record and the skills required to operate the particular vehicles that they will be authorised to drive; this includes non-employees.

Authorised drivers are defined as those employees whose regular daily assignments include the driving of a company owned, rented, leased or Novated vehicle. In addition, authorised drivers can be employees who have a company vehicle as part of their employment entitlement or who drive a company vehicle or personal vehicle for business on an occasional basis as well as any other authorised drivers such as employee spouses or family.

The company must authorise in writing any employee family members to drive company supplied vehicles and clearly define under what parameters the use of the company vehicle is sanctioned.

The system applies to all drivers and they should be held responsible for the proper operation, care and maintenance of the vehicle entrusted to their care as an integral part of their performance evaluation on the job.

The company needs to be satisfied that its drivers’ health is in good order and that they are competent and capable of doing their work in a way that is safe for them and for other people.

Routes should be thoroughly planned and realistic work schedules set allowing sufficient time to complete journeys safely and not put drivers at risk from fatigue caused by driving excessive distances without appropriate breaks.

Drivers must be authorised to make decisions regarding stopping and staying in a hotel/motel if their hours worked exceed a set amount.

A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) should be kept for all people driving company provided vehicles or driving on company business. It will capture the driver’s history, for a minimum of the preceding three years, of traffic violations or incidents, remedial driver training and decisions made by the company with respect to each individual authorised driver.

Preventative maintenance schedules should be in place and regular spot checks should be included as well as clear defect reporting and management of the corrective actions process.

A company incident review board will review all incidents or near misses. Each shall be investigated, analysed and conclusions drawn on what corrective action shall be taken.

All authorised drivers will read and sign the ‘Driver Induction Booklet’. This document provides written instructions, guidance and procedures to ensure that drivers are informed of company policy.