Depot Charging Scheme 2026: EV Infrastructure Grants for Fleet Operators Explained
As the UK pushes forward with its net-zero ambitions, the Depot Charging Scheme has moved from pilot to a full multi-year programme. Originally launched in 2025, the scheme has now been relaunched for April 2026 with a significantly expanded funding pot and a rolling series of application windows running through to 2030. This is a…
3 ways to put your fleet data to work
Managing a fleet today means juggling an overwhelming number of systems. Telematics, fuel cards, tachographs, maintenance systems, walkaround check apps, the fleet ecosystem has exploded in recent years, and this poses new challenges for fleet operators. Our customers tell us they typically operate across 7–12 different fleet systems before joining FleetCheck, which means, despite their…
The winter tyre crisis Fleet Managers can’t afford to ignore
Think about your fleet right now. How confident are you that every one of your vehicles on the road today is actually legal and roadworthy? The numbers tell a stark story: that one in four vehicles on UK roads are driving on illegal tyres. This means if you’re managing a fleet of 60 vehicles, it’s…
The Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS) explained
What is the Maintenance Provision Rating Scheme (MPRS), why does it matter, and how has it revolutionised workshop standards across the UK? That’s what we explored in our latest webinar with Nick Elliott from the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE). In this practical session we dissected the MPRS and how its introduction has filled a vital information gap in the industry, not only boosting maintenance standards, but also playing an…
Winter is Coming: Essential Fleet Safety Tips
The clocks have gone back; the evenings are darker, it’s wet, and it won’t be long until frost warnings start appearing on weather forecasts. For fleet managers, this means more than adjusting the office thermostat. It is a period that requires extra protection for your drivers, maintaining further compliance whilst keeping operations running smoothly. The…
How to Connect FleetCheck to Power BI: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide
In the world of fleet management, data is power... FleetCheck already delivers robust and reliable reporting capabilities as standard. However, for larger or more complex operations looking to take their data even further, integrating Power BI can add significant value. Power BI works alongside FleetCheck – creating interactive dashboards, merging data from various sources, and…
Stellantis Recall – What It Means for Fleet Operators
Stellantis is recalling 72,000 cars in the UK after discovering a fuel pipe issue that could lead to engine fires. If you’re running vehicles from Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot, Vauxhall, or Lancia built between 2023 and 2025 with 1.2-litre turbo petrol engines, this recall directly affects your fleet. What’s happening The issue…
Charging Ahead: The UK’s New Depot Charging Scheme Explained
As the UK pushes forward with its net-zero ambitions, a major new initiative is set to help fleet operators make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The Depot Charging Scheme, officially launched on the 16th July 2025. This is a government-backed grant programme designed to support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure for heavy goods…
ZEV Update: The increasing need for pro-active van maintenance
In January this year we published a white paper entitled The 2025 Diesel Van Shortage: How the ZEV Mandate Will Impact Your Fleet. With the SMMT having just released the figures for LCV registrations through to the end of June, we thought it was time to revisit this important topic. To recap, the Zero Emission…
From Compliance to Confidence: Your Path to DVSA Earned Recognition with FleetCheck
It’s 7am. A driver’s failed a roadside inspection, your phone’s ringing with updates from the DVSA, and you’re scrambling to replace a vehicle to meet a tight customer deadline, all while totting up in your head: how much is this going to cost in downtime, potential fines, and reputational damage? This constant reactive state of…
FleetCheck Guide: Safe Summer Driving
Summer brings longer days, holiday traffic, and many unique challenges for drivers. Whether you’re heading out on a family adventure or managing a commercial fleet, understanding the risks and best practices for summer driving is crucial for safety and efficiency. Key Hazards of Summer Driving Heat-Related Fatigue and Dehydration High temperatures can cause fatigue and…
Earned Recognition: Wolseley’s impressive three-year result
What does best-in-industry compliance really look like - and how do leading operators use it as a competitive edge? That’s what we explored in our latest webinar The Road to Earned Recognition: Building industry best practice and compliance into your fleet, with Phil Breen, Earned Recognition Account Manager for the DVSA and Jess Partridge, National…
Barrie Wilson: Celebrating 20 Years in Transport!
This month, ahead of FleetCheck’s 20th anniversary next year, Barrie Wilson, our resident Commerical Fleet Consultant, is celebrating two decades in the transport industry. You may or may not know Barrie – perhaps as an amateur DJ in his local community, or from his cameo on challenge Anneka talking about his rescue dogs. Most likely…
The truth about rising insurance costs and how fleet managers can take control
UK fleet insurance premiums are rising, and the pressure is coming from several directions at once: more vehicles on the road, more complex repairs, rising fraud, and higher theft. To understand what's behind it, and what fleets can do, we hosted a webinar with insurance broker 1st Choice Insurance. This piece pulls together the practical…
The Importance of Managing Driver Mental Health
Driving is more than just a job; it’s a responsibility that demands focus, resilience, and mental well-being. However, the unique challenges faced by drivers can put them at an elevated risk of experiencing mental health issues. It is critical for employers to recognise these risks and take proactive steps to support their drivers mental health.…
How to Adapt to the Latest DVSA Brake Testing Requirements
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has recently introduced updated brake testing rules as part of its ongoing efforts to improve road safety and ensure that commercial vehicles are maintained to the highest standards. These changes require fleet operators to adopt new procedures and tools during safety inspections. In this article, we’ll break down…
Minimising VOR: The reputation and budget killer
For UK companies operating fleets of vans, particularly within sectors like facilities management and waste management, minimising ‘vehicle off road’ (VOR) time due to unplanned maintenance and damage repairs is not only an operational efficiency; it’s a critical business imperative. The consequences of unplanned VOR can ripple through an organisation, impacting service delivery, customer satisfaction,…
The Hidden Danger of Wet Timing Belts: What Fleet Managers Need to Know
In recent years, some vehicle manufacturers have adopted wet timing belts as a way to improve engine efficiency and reduce emissions. Brands such as Ford, Citroen, Honda Toyota, and Peugeot have these systems in certain models. While they operate without fault and do go some way to reducing emissions and improving engine efficiency, their longevity…
Government Boosts Electric Van Adoption with New Licence Rules
The UK Government has announced a significant update to driving licence rules for heavier electric vans, aligning them more closely with their lighter petrol and diesel counterparts. This move aims to remove barriers to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and accelerate the transition to cleaner road transport solutions. Under the new rules, drivers holding a…
New Updates to Driver CPC 2025: More Flexibility for Professional Drivers
The UK Government has introduced significant changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) to provide greater flexibility for drivers looking to stay qualified or return to professional driving. These updates, first introduced on 3rd December 2024 and further revised on 1st February 2025, aim to address the ongoing driver shortage in the UK…
Can you have 12 points on a driving licence without being banned?
In the UK, accumulating 12 penalty points on your driving licence typically triggers a ‘totting up’ procedure, which can lead to disqualification from driving. However, there are exceptional circumstances under which a driver could amass a dozen points and still be permitted to drive. In fact, it’s estimated that between 2017 and 2021 more than 35,000 of…
Photocard driving licence explained
UK photocard driving licences – those pink cards we carry around – are official documents issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the United Kingdom. These licences serve as a legal authorisation for individuals to drive motor vehicles on UK roads and also function as a form of photo identification. The UK…
How the 2025 Road Tax Changes Impacts Drivers and Businesses
Driving is about to get more expensive in 2025, with significant changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) coming into force on 1st April. For the first time, even electric vehicle (EV) owners will feel the pinch as the government eliminates exemptions and introduces new rates. These updates, outlined in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ October 2024 budget,…
Understanding the European Mobility Package Changes
The European road transport industry is entering a transformative phase with the ongoing implementation of the EU Mobility Package. This key set of regulations, introduced in August 2020, is designed to streamline the industry, improve driver working conditions, and enhance road safety. While the UK has now exited the EU, it’s crucial to note that…
FleetCheck Awarded Fleet News Reader Recommended for the 4th Year Running
Thank you, Fleet News readers! For the fourth consecutive year, we’re thrilled to be recognised as the trusted name in fleet management software. Your ongoing support and trust mean everything to us. Giving fleet managers the tools to keep fleets safe, compliant and cost effective has always been our top priority, and we’re honoured that…
Changes to Driver CPC – December 2024
From the 3rd of December 2024, changes to the Driver CPC requirements are coming into effect. Previously, there was one universal specification for all heavy goods vehicles, bus or coach drivers. The new rules introduce greater flexibility for those who only drive in the UK and don’t venture into the EU. What Stays the Same…
The DVS requirements are changing
From 28th October 2024, any HGV over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London must either have a three-star rating for the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) or be retrofitted with the Progressive Safe System (PSS). A limited grace period is available if you can demonstrate that the fitment of a PSS is in progress—but to qualify,…
How the ZEV Mandate Will Impact Your Future Fleet
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, introduced on 3rd January 2024, is a pivotal element of the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy. It is designed to prepare vehicle manufacturers for the 2035 ban on new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles by enforcing an annual increase in electric vehicle sales. But what does this mean for…
How to Ensure Driver Competency and Legal Compliance
Employers bear the responsibility of carrying out thorough checks to ensure that any individual they employ as a driver is legally compliant and competent to undertake the task. While this seems straightforward, it’s often overlooked. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, driving without a valid licence is an offence, as is allowing someone to drive…
Daily walkaround checks: what the law says, and what good looks like in practice
How long should a daily walkaround check take? It's one of the most common questions we hear from fleet operators, and the direct answer is that there is no legally set time. A check should take as long as the driver needs to be satisfied the vehicle is safe. How long it takes depends on…
Daily vehicle checks laws explained
Daily vehicle checks are a fundamental part of fleet management and individual vehicle ownership in the UK, and the process is governed by stringent laws and regulations. These checks are pivotal, not only for compliance with legal standards but also for ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users. In this article, we’re…
How does a medical condition affect my driving licence
Holding a driving licence is not only a symbol of independence, it’s essential for millions of the UK workforce to carry out their day-to-day roles. As drivers, we are required to ensure that our health – both physical and mental – is in a state that allows us to operate a vehicle safely and competently.…
Creating your ‘driving for work’ policy
Why you need a policy Health and safety legislation requires that you risk assess all your business activities and put safe working practices in place to minimise those risks. If, for instance, we were looking at operating dangerous machinery, you would detail these safe working practices in a safe working policy document and communicate it…
Why safer vans make financial sense
Running vehicles can be a significant expense. Often these costs are not monitored and simply seen as the cost of doing business however, when not managed correctly, these costs be unnecessarily high damaging the profitability of your business. Poor management of drivers and vehicles can lead to excessive costs in a range of areas: Fleet…
Your responsibility for driver and vehicle safety
Introduction Whether you have a trade, a supervisory or management role, or deliver materials, driving for work is one of the most important parts of the job yet many of us don’t give it a second thought. It is well-established in health and safety law that a vehicle driven for work is classed as an…
Is your eyesight good enough to be on the road
When it comes to safe driving, good eyesight is not just a requirement but a necessity. Each time we get behind the wheel, we rely on our vision more than any other sense to guide us, react to changes, and make split-second decisions. It’s not just about legal compliance; it’s about ensuring the safety of…
How Fleet Management Software Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
In today’s environmentally conscious era, businesses across the UK are continuously seeking ways to minimise their ecological impact. For those managing vehicular fleets, this emphasis is even more pronounced given the transportation sector’s significant contribution to carbon emissions. Modern technology, particularly fleet management software, offers an array of tools and insights that can play a…
Should You Have An Electric Fleet – The Pros and Cons Explained
As the world – and organisations – grapple with the rising challenge of climate change and the pressing need to reduce carbon footprints, the transportation sector has found itself at the forefront of this global discourse. A key decision a lot of UK businesses are facing right now is whether to transition to electric vehicles…
What Is Grey Fleet?
In the dynamic landscape of fleet management, various terms and concepts have come to the forefront, reflecting the nuances of this industry. One such term you may have heard of is ‘grey fleet’. But what exactly does this term mean, and why is it crucial for businesses and organisations to understand how to manage their…
Do I Need the Paper Part of My Licence?
There is often some confusion around whether or not you need the paper counterpart of your driving licence, and what you need to do - if anything - if you lose your paper part. The DVLA made a change to the legislation in 2015 that you need to know about, here’s what the most current…
What are the UK driving licence categories?
To drive a particular type of vehicle, you need an ‘entitlement’ for that category on your driving licence. Your entitlements may have additional restrictions. Check the restriction codes for your driving licence. Driving licence categories are different in Northern Ireland. Mopeds Category AM You can drive 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled vehicles with a maximum design speed of…
How long do points stay on a driving licence?
No one wants points on their driving licence; among other things, it can increase your insurance premiums, impact your employment prospects, and of course, every point is one step closer to a driving ban. In this article, we’re going to explain how long points stay on your licence, how you can check how many points…
Capital Expenses 2023
The recent Autumn Statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer brings welcome news to limited companies that need to purchase plant and machinery to run their business. Gavin Hollywell from GCSD Accounting has put together a full explanation of how this works for us, and what this might mean for your tax expenses. The ‘full…
How do I check if an employee has points on their licence?
Mastering licence checks: manual vs. automated Whether you are verifying driving eligibility or monitoring penalty points, keeping your drivers legal is a cornerstone of fleet safety. Generally, there are two ways to handle this: the manual Gov.uk route or an automated professional service. While the government portal works for the occasional check, it can quickly…
Here’s why you shouldn’t use spreadsheets to manage your fleet
On the surface, a spreadsheet seems like the perfect tool for managing a fleet. It is familiar, highly customisable, and, best of all, already paid for as part of your office software suite. However, when compared to modern, specialist fleet management software, a simple Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheet simply cannot compete. While spreadsheets allow…
Using Spreadsheets
We’ve seen some fantastic spreadsheets used to manage a fleet, but as your fleet grows, you will outgrow the functionality of spreadsheets. The problems with using spreadsheets don’t just stop at functionality, and they’re not great for compliance, data security, and some other areas of fleet management. Some of the challenges we commonly see fleet…
FleetCheck solutions
As a fleet manager, you have endless responsibilities. There's a lot to manage from the driver, vehicle, and licence checks to daily vehicle inspections. It’s not just managing all the moving parts of managing a fleet that can be challenging; staying compliant is also challenging. Keeping accurate and thorough records is essential, as is using…
Driver safety management
There are a number of laws and various legislation you need to comply with when managing drivers. Let's start with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act states that you need to assess the risk to your business, your fleet, to members of the public, and where possible you need to manage…
Data Security
Within the fleet sector, there is much personal information you’re likely to collect, so understanding and adhering to data security laws and regulations is crucial. You need to ensure you have robust security when it comes to collecting and storing personal data. FleetCheck allows you to store all of your fleet and employee data electronically.…
Driving licence codes explained
Information codes or restrictions on a UK driving licence refer to specific requirements or limitations that a driver must adhere to when operating a vehicle. These codes are listed under section 12 on the back of the photocard licence and indicate certain conditions that the driver must comply with. These can include the need for…
How many 15 hour days can a HGV driver do?
The laws around how many hours HGV drivers can legally do in a day, week, or month can be another confusing and challenging area for transport managers to get to grips with – but it is vital to know the finer points so the traffic commissioner doesn’t have to get involved. Once you get a…
What is the HGV medical test?
Here is everything you need to know about HGV medical tests, which ensure drivers are fit to drive lorries. The HGV medical test is a medical examination designed to ensure a driver is medically fit to drive a heavy goods vehicle. With the safety of the driver and other road users at stake when the…
Defect Management
It’s an offense under the Road Traffic Act of 1988 to operate a vehicle on a public highway with a defect that could affect how roadworthy it is. As a fleet manager or operator, how confident are you that all of your vehicles are roadworthy? Do all of your vehicles have a pre-use inspection check…
Driver Training
Driver training plays a key role in operating a fleet of vehicles. All of your drivers should have the correct licence entitlements to drive their vehicles, that’s one part of fleet compliance. Another aspect is making sure all of your drivers are competent, capable, and understand exactly what is required of them when they’re behind…
Driver Licence Checking
Checking your drivers’ licences is an essential fleet management practice. But how robust are your licence checking procedures? Are you aware that taking a photocopy of a driver’s licence is not adequate? Are you aware that seeing just the photocard part of a driver’s licence has limitations? Photocards do not show you if the driver…
Fuel Management
We’re sure you’re well aware of the spiralling fuel costs in the UK over the last few years. For most businesses with a fleet, fuel accounts for about 40% of operating costs. So, you will also have been seeing the rising cost of fuel making a bigger dent in your bottom line. This is where…
Tyre Management
In this lesson, we’re looking at tyre management and why an effective tyre management system is a crucial part of an overall fleet management system. As we start to move away from internal combustion engines and onto more environmentally-friendly options like EV vehicles, we’re also going to see a change in tyre technologies. However, there…
Are you too busy checking licences to read this?
As a fleet manager, you are used to spinning plates to keep your fleet on the road. As well as the never-ending list of tasks required for the efficient running of your vehicles, you need to manage your drivers. Not only must you recruit and train them, you must also ensure their records are kept…
It’s time to say goodbye to spreadsheets
If you’re involved in the daily grind of fleet management, you’ll no doubt be up to your eyes in spreadsheets. Good old spreadsheets. It’s a love/hate thing. As an organisation collects more and more information and data grows in volume and variety, seemingly innocent excel sheets are gradually morphing into supersized spreadsheet monsters. Thanks to…
Pros and Cons of Checking Your Drivers’ Licences
Checking that any employees driving vehicles for your organisation are eligible to drive is a fundamental aspect of fleet compliance. Not to mention it’s a moral duty to ensure that your drivers and other road users are as safe as they can possibly be. There are serious consequences – both financial and possibly life-changing –…
Can You Check Your Drivers’ Licences without Their Consent?
As a fleet manager or employer, it’s essential you check the driving licences of any employees that will be driving one of your company vehicles. Failing to do so could result in an employee being behind the wheel illegally, which can lead to fines and other penalties. Or worse, it could be the cause of…
6 Important Things You Should Know About Driver Licence Checking
One of the fundamental – and most important – elements of fleet compliance is ensuring that every driver who gets behind the wheel of a company vehicle is eligible to drive. Failure to do so, or at least demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to ensure a driver was legal can result in huge fines…
How to Check if an Employee Has Points on Their Licence
If you want to check an employee’s driving licence to see if they have any points or to check their eligibility to drive, there are two main ways you can go about this. One way is to use the Gov.uk site; but this quickly becomes time-consuming if you’re checking multiple drivers’ licences. The other is…
Setting MOT Reminders for Fleet Vehicles With FleetCheck
As your fleet grows, keeping on top of important deadlines and reminders becomes increasingly more difficult – unless you’re using a fleet management solution like FleetCheck. The issue, however, is that not having MOT reminders and sending a vehicle out without an MOT can have devastating consequences. Not only can you be subject to huge…
Why driver training is too important to ignore
As a busy fleet manager, you might wonder why you should take on the extra burden and cost of organising driver training. If your drivers have the necessary driving licences for their role, why do they need any additional training? The truth is that appropriate further training will actually simplify your life and save you…
Don’t turn a blind eye to driver vision
Recent government statistics have revealed that around 3,000 road casualties every year are due to the poor eyesight of the driver. Possibly more alarming still is the estimation that there are 13 million drivers on UK roads (that’s one in five drivers) whose eyesight does not meet minimum legal standards. This makes them a staggering…