Rebranding Safety with Pete Rushmer – Fleet Safety

Overview

Ever been told “You’re in charge of the fleet now” and thought, What does that even mean? You’re not alone.

Many health and safety professionals suddenly find themselves managing road safety, HGVs, and complex laws they never signed up for. Fleet safety is more than just about health and safety, but also on the road. It’s a world of unique laws, intense responsibility, and confusing terms.

Rebranding Safety with Pete Rushmer – Co-Host for Q3! Episode 1 – Fleet Safety

Fleet safety is making sure all your vehicles and drivers are safe and legal. Sounds simple, right? It’s not.

Most people think it’s just about “driving carefully.” Nevertheless, in the world of HGVs (heavy goods vehicles), it’s about rules, licences, inspections, working hours, maintenance, and loads more.

The Operator’s Licence – Your Golden Ticket (or Nightmare)

If your business uses vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, such as HGVs, you need an Operator’s Licence. This tells the government you’re allowed to run heavy vehicles on public roads.

There are three types:

1. Restricted – You only carry your own stuff (e.g., a builder delivering their own tools).
2. Standard National – You carry other people’s goods across the UK.
3. Standard International – You carry goods across Europe and beyond.

To get a licence, you need to apply to the Traffic Commissioner and (usually) hire a qualified Transport Manager.

Who’s the Transport Manager?

This person is key to fleet safety. They’re legally responsible for making sure:

• Vehicles are safe
• Drivers follow the rules
• All the paperwork is in order

You can either hire one full-time or bring in a freelance expert. If you’re just starting out or only run a few vehicles, an external Transport Manager might be the way to go.

Drivers – Not Just “The Problem” But Still the Ones Who Get Fined

Drivers carry massive legal responsibility. They can get fined, banned, or even jailed for mistakes like:

• Driving too many hours
• Failing to rest properly
• Overloading a vehicle
• Using a mobile phone

It’s not always their fault. Sometimes they’re pressured by the business to work longer or cut corners.

That’s why it’s vital to support drivers, not merely blame them.

Tachographs and Time Limits – Big Brother is Watching

Every HGV is fitted with a tachograph. This tracks:

• Driving time
• Rest breaks
• Other work

Drivers must follow strict EU driving hours rules. These are not mere suggestions. Break them, and both the driver and the business can face serious penalties.

Driver Shortage: Real or Simple Bad Management?

You’ve probably heard there’s a “driver shortage.” Is it true?

Kind of. It’s less about a lack of people and more about bad working conditions. Many companies underpay drivers and don’t respect their time.

Good companies with fair pay and decent treatment? They’re not short on drivers.

FORS and Earned Recognition – The Good, The Badge, and The Misleading

You may have seen trucks with FORS stickers. This stands for the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme. It sounds official, but the government does not run it. It’s a commercial accreditation started in London.

There are three levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. They look good on paper and can help you win contracts. Nevertheless, some people only chase the badge, not the meaning behind it.

On the flip side, DVSA Earned Recognition is run by the government. It’s harder to get, but it proves you run a top-notch fleet.

Pro tip: Don’t chase badges. Do it properly or don’t bother.

Key Takeaways (The Stuff You Need to Know)

• Fleet management isn’t basic. It’s full of rules, laws, and real risks.
• Operator licences are for businesses, not drivers.
• Drivers have big legal responsibilities, but need real support.
• Transport managers matter a lot.
• Training, audits, and accreditations only work if you mean them.
• You don’t have to do it alone. Flagship partners can help.

Do You Want to Learn More?

This talk is between James MacPherson from Risk Fluent and Pete Rushmore from Flagship Partners.

Pete and his team offer:

• Driver training
• Transport manager support
• Operator licence help
• Driver CPC training
• Community support through Fleet Geeks

You can visit them at flagshippartners.co.uk

“People aren’t the problem. They’re the solution.”
– Rebranding Safety

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)