Questions Facing Fleet Managers – COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a testing time to say the least for individuals and businesses across the UK.  To support the government’s lockdown measures, difficult decisions had to be made that will undoubtedly have a knock-on effect for businesses. 

The situation is continuously changing and as talks of easing lockdown restrictions arise, the uncertainty surrounding rules and regulations for company fleet management continues. 

The uncertainty in how long the lockdown measures will last has made it increasingly difficult for businesses to know how to address their future fleet requirements. Fleet managers must find answers to questions they haven’t faced before. 

To support our customers, the Fueller family has pulled together to offer reassurance and a continuation of service in this time of need. In order to offer further support and provide some clarity, we thought we should share some answers to questions currently facing fleet managers and business owners here in our blog. 

Of course, our dedicated team remain on hand to help, so If you require any support during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via the usual channels.  

How can you maintain car tyres when a vehicle isn’t moving for an extended period? 

Not using a car for several weeks could cause problems for the tyres. As the weight of your vehicle presses down on the tread area, which remains unchanged if you don’t move the car, your tyres could deform. This could damage the internal structure and cause deflation. If possible, take the car for an uninterrupted 15-minute drive at least once a week. Before driving longer distances, be sure to check the pressure and adjust if needed. 

Do I still need to get my vehicle’s MOT if it is due to expire during lockdown? 

The government announced that your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry date will be extended by 6 months if it’s due on or after 30 March 2020. However, the government’s guidelines highlight that you must keep your vehicle safe to drive. 

The extension also applies to vehicles that are due their first MOT test on or after 30 March 2020. 

You must make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. It can be unsafe even if your MOT expiry date has been extended. 

Take your vehicle to be repaired at the nearest open garage if it’s unsafe. Garages can stay open during the coronavirus outbreak. 

How should I keep my vehicle maintained during lockdown? 

It’s not a good idea to leave a vehicle parked untouched for weeks or months on end.  

Even if dealership showrooms are closed, garages are still allowed to remain open for urgent repairs and maintenance. This may be a good time to schedule an appointment for maintenance or to swap winter tyres back to summer tyres. 

What useful things can you do now you have more time due to COVID-19? 

Just a few weeks ago, fleet managers filled most of their time with the day-to-day operation of their vehicle fleets. With many fleets operating at reduced capacity, there is plenty of time to focus on other areas and ensuring you are using your time productively. 

You could take this time to offer online training. Businesses are seeing the benefits of online meetings and fleet managers can use the technology to produce courses on driver behaviour. The importance of driver safety has never been more paramount and will also positively affect your fleet in the long term.  

My vehicles are not being used during this period. Do I have to carry out a pre-use inspection before I put them into use again?  

Although it is always recommended that a pre-use inspection is carried out before putting vehicles that have been stood idle back into service, the traffic commissioners recognise that operators will want to start using vehicles as soon as possible and there may be delays in businesses starting again when there may not be enough slots available at maintainers to inspect vehicles. 

How can we ensure the safety of our drivers? 

Firstly, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, sanitising shared equipment must become part of your safety routine. 

The Department for Transport (DfT) issued guidelines to reinforce the fact that all drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work. With the advice for hands to be washed regularly, failure to allow access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of the COVID-19 infection spreading. 

DfT also announced the temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland, and Wales for the drivers of vehicles involved in the delivery of food, non-food and over the counter pharmaceuticals. However, the DfT are clear that driver safety must not be compromised, and they should not be expected to drive whilst tired.  

For more details of the government’s guidelines for fleets, click here.

How can we ensure the safety of our drivers?

Firstly, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, sanitising shared equipment must become part of your safety routine.

The Department for Transport (DfT) issued guidelines to reinforce the fact that all drivers must have access to welfare facilities in the premises they visit as part of their work. With the advice for hands to be washed regularly, failure to allow access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of the COVID-19 infection spreading.

DfT also announced the temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland, and Wales for the drivers of vehicles involved in the delivery of food, non-food and over the counter pharmaceuticals. However, the DfT are clear that driver safety must not be compromised, and they should not be expected to drive whilst tired.

You can gain access to more details on government guidelines here.

Alternatively, take a look at our post to discover how we can help keep our fleet operators safe in a post COVID society.