The term ‘Grey Fleet’ is a commonly misunderstood term. The Grey Fleet is also, often a neglected aspect of business operations. When it comes to managing vehicle compliance and completing safety checks, most people think of company-owned fleets, however any business that has employees driving their own vehicles for any work purposes, which is what is known as the ‘Grey Fleet’, needs to ensure they have compliance and safety procedures in place. It is estimated that there are over 14 million Grey Fleet vehicles in the UK, and it is estimated around 50% do not perform basic safety checks.
Why is Grey Fleet a problem in the UK?
According to a recent FleetNews article in 2023, around 62% of companies do not have any form of Grey Fleet policies in place. In the UK, it is a legal requirement under, amongst other pieces of legislation, the Health and Safety at Work Act, for any Grey Fleet vehicle to be verified as roadworthy and legal by the driver’s employer. As an employer, if you have employees using their own vehicles for company use, you are responsible for ensuring that it is fit for purpose, adequately maintained and that it can be safely driven.
Hear from our Director and Co-Founder Gary:
Gary Hawthorne FCILT FSOE FIRTE had this to say on the topic “Grey Fleet vehicles are often overlooked, but are crucial to fleet management and safety. Properly managing these assets not only ensures compliance and reduces liability, but also enhances overall operational efficiency. Investing in a Grey Fleet compliance system reflects a commitment to safety, sustainability, and responsible management. It sends the right message.”
Grey Fleet rules and best practice:
Any employer, employing people driving vehicles for business use, should ensure that:
- The vehicle has a valid MOT certificate
- The driver has a valid licence to drive the intended vehicle
- The driver has the appropriate insurance to drive the intended vehicle, and that the insurance covers them for business use
- The vehicle has up to date road tax
- The vehicle is roadworthy and safe to use
- The driver does not have any health conditions that affect their ability to safely drive
This might sound daunting and seem difficult to manage, but don’t worry, we can help make it as easy and manageable as possible!
How can we help?
At CheckedSafe, we provide a range of different compliance solutions aimed to make your life easier! We provide a fully remote driving licence checking service, priced at just £1.60 per check! Cheaper than most alternative providers, all the driver needs to do is take a photo of the front and back of their licence, e-sign the mandate and our system will do the rest, pulling through any convictions and displaying all endorsements. Further checks are done automatically on a risk-based frequency. It is recommended that you check your drivers licences at least 3 times a year, which would only be £4.80! Is it worth taking the risk for less than a fiver?
We also provide a vehicle compliance solution, priced at just £1 per week, which allows you to complete daily walk around pre-use checks on your vehicles all on your mobile phone. The best part is, the checklists are fully bespoke to you, so they can suit your needs. This is all then visible in the back-office, showing all the details of the check and much more. In the back-office portal, you can also view all MOT certificates, VED data and upload insurance documents via the App, so you can rest assured your drivers have valid road tax, MOT certificates and insurance on their vehicles.
For just £1 a week, let us take all the hassle away from you, and make your job as easy as possible. The question shouldn’t be, can you afford to, and instead, can you afford not to? Why would you take the risk and not be compliant, opening yourself up to all sorts of legal trouble?
If you’d like to learn more about our solution to managing your Grey Fleet and ensuring your business is compliant, please give us a call on 01282 908429 or email us at info@checkedsafe.com , and to make it even better, we will give you an online demonstration and a free 30-day trial!
