The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme designed to help fleet operators improve fleet standards within their organisation.
FORS offers a range of tools that help drivers, fleet managers, and organisations measure and improve performance across all aspects of their fleet operations, and demonstrate best practice.
FleetCheck is proud to be accredited by FORS. We have been working with FORS since 2018, providing its members with a dedicated fleet management software system FORS FMS.
What is FORS and how does it benefit fleet operators?
The key benefits FORS offers operators include:
- Improving road safety awareness
- Improving fuel efficiency and reducing fuel emissions
- Reducing the number of fines and other vehicle-related charges
- Better understanding and knowledge of the fleet industry
These are some notable advantages fleet companies can take advantage of from earning a FORS accreditation. Both for individuals, and company-wide.
Driver awareness and reducing the risk and number of incidents on the road will be important to any business. FORS provides workshops and educational materials to help organisations introduce more checks and streamline safety processes.
There is also the potential to make huge savings through better fuel economy and reducing fines and so on. When you start seeing an improvement to your bottom line while improving your driver’s safety, it makes sense to join FORS.
How Can You Achieve FORS Accreditation?
To achieve accreditation, you need to prove you employ good practice and comply with the requirements laid out by the FORS Standard.
FORS splits its framework into three different tiers; Bronze, Siler, and Gold. To obtain accreditation at each level, a brief summary of the standard you’ll need to meet are as follows:
Bronze Accreditation
To achieve Bronze accreditation, you need to sign up and register your company via its website. Then you can download and read the FORS Standard documents. This details what to expect when it audits your business, which has to happen within 90 days of your registration. FORS then provides toolkits and other resources online if you need any help. When you pass the audit, you will be awarded your Bronze accreditation.
Silver Accreditation
Silver accreditation includes making sure your fleet is also compliant with the CLOCS Standard for Construction Logistics and with TfL’s WRRR (Work Related Road Risk). The audit is more detailed and covers a wider range of areas. The format is the same, you can download the Standard documents to ensure you’re well prepared for the audit.
Gold Accreditation
Gold accreditation is the highest standard of compliance you can demonstrate in accordance with their criteria. It includes ensuring your company is promoting the FORS Standard through your supply chain and demonstrating meaningful improvements against the baseline data gathered during Silver accreditation.
How do drivers benefit from FORS?
FORS offers a range of classroom-based and e-learning courses and training materials to help drivers improve and maintain high driving standards. Its driver training materials includes:
- Beyond Compulsory Basic Training – for delivery drivers in urban environments.
- Safe Urban Driving – for commercial HGV operators.
- TruckSmart – for commercial HGV drivers.
- VanSmart – for commercial van drivers.
- Locity Driving – for commercial HGV and van drivers.
There are benefits for the individual drivers taking the courses, their managers, and the company as a whole.
A safer, better informed and educated driver is more mindful about costs and how their driving impacts the environment and other road users.
How do fleet managers benefit from FORS?
FORS also provides separate training courses and materials for fleet managers to help them perform their role better.
Some FORS’ courses include:
- HGV/PCV Fleet Management Essentials – for supervisory staff working to achieve O Licence.
- Car/Van Fleet Management Essentials – for supervisory staff operating car and van fleets.
- Toolbox Talks – to help operators communicate with their staff.
- Collision Management – road Risk Champion and Collision Investigator.
- FORS Practitioner – series of workshops designed for transport managers.
What is a FORS Champion and should you be one?
FORS runs a Champion scheme. In this scheme, it invites fleet managers and organisations to apply to become a Champion. As a Champion, you will actively promote FORS and help to improve their overall levels of safety. It’s a way to make a real difference within your own organisation and other organisations, too.
The additional benefits and perks include:
- Using the FORS Supplier and Supporter logo
- Access to eNews
- Discounts on selected FORS events and workshops
- Having your company profile displayed on The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme’s champion page listing
Will FORS accreditation save your company money?
Yes, there are a number of ways you can save money by working to the Standards set by FORS.
It provides a number of case studies on their site detailing how they have helped countless companies reduce their fuel spend. This is achieved by improving the miles per gallon you’re getting across your fleet. With fleets of hundreds or even thousands of vehicles, the potential savings by reducing fuel consumption by a few percentage points can run into the thousands.
This is done by learning how to measure the fuel your drivers are using. How much idle time they’re experiencing, the speed and the way they’re driving. Another area where FORS is helping companies make meaningful savings is by reducing the number of incidents on the road. By educating drivers and fleet managers on better fleet practices, companies following the FORS Standards typically see a reduction in incidents.
